Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Theology

Nazarene Theological College offers vibrant doctoral programmes that cultivate profound scholarship and inspire innovative contributions to the theological landscape. Our PhD specialisms provide a rich environment for in-depth research, offering the opportunity for you to complete a research project in an area related to your specific interests.

Whether you seek to explore the narratives of Scripture, trace the historical development of doctrine, or engage with contemporary theological challenges, our programmes are designed to support your scholarly journey.

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Length of Study

3 Years (Full-Time) / 6 Years (Part-Time)

University of Manchester

January 2026
September 2026
January 2027

Delve into the profound world of theology with our doctoral programmes. Specialize in these captivating areas:

  • Biblical Theology: Explore the intricate narratives and themes of the Bible.
  • Church History: Trace the development of Christian thought and practice throughout the ages.
  • Christian Theology: Engage with core doctrines and contemporary theological debates.
  • Missiology: Understand the church’s global mission and cross-cultural engagement.
  • New Testament Studies: Analyse the texts and contexts of the New Testament era.
  • Old Testament Studies: Investigate the Hebrew Bible and its historical background.
  • Practical Theology: Apply theological insights to real-world ministry and social issues.
  • Second Temple Judaism: Examine the rich context that shaped early Christianity.
  • Wesley Studies: Focus on the life and thought of John Wesley, founder of Methodism.
  • Wesleyan Tradition: Discover the unique heritage and practices of Wesleyan Christianity.

Flexible Study Options

Choose the path that suits you:

  • Full-time: MPhil (12 months), PhD (36 months)
  • Part-time: MPhil (24 months), PhD (72 months)

Exceptional Resources

Benefit from our strong partnerships and facilities:

  • Manchester Wesley Research Centre: Access a wealth of resources dedicated to Wesleyan studies.
  • Methodist Archives in The John Rylands Library: Explore historic documents and artifacts.

Prestigious Affiliation

Nazarene Theological College is an approved partner of The University of Manchester.

The PhD programme is a research-based course, assessed wholly by the final thesis (80,000 words in total), and does not contain other coursework or taught modules.

Modern technology has made contact between supervisors and students much easier and more frequent. Therefore, most of our PhD students do not live in Manchester or the UK. However, we do have an annual residency requirement.

Our annual research residency is held in June every year, and for most of our students, the annual residency is the highlight of our PhD programme. Students and scholars from around the world come together to participate in postgraduate seminars and other activities and to conduct research in the libraries here. It is also a time for students to have face-to-face meetings with their supervisor.

Students must plan to be in June for three working weeks every year. A fourth ‘flexible week’ of residency allows you and your supervisor to target conferences where you participate – so this need not be at NTC.

 

Entry Requirements for MPhil and PhD Programmes

To be considered for our MPhil or PhD programmes, applicants typically need to meet the following requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree: A Bachelor’s (Honours) degree with at least a 2:1 classification (or international equivalent) in a related field such as theology, religious studies, or a similar discipline.
  • Master’s Degree: Master’s degree in Religions and Theology, or a closely related subject. You’ll need to have achieved:
    • An overall average of 65% or higher
    • A minimum of 65% on your dissertation
    • No individual module mark below 55%

Additional Considerations:

  • Research Experience: If you don’t have a Master’s dissertation or formal research experience, you may be asked to complete all or part of an MA programme before starting your doctoral research.
  • English Proficiency (Non-native speakers): You’ll need to demonstrate your English language skills with a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall (or its equivalent).
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