Theology and Religious Studies

Entry requirements

Our regular standard of admission is at least an Upper Second Class Honours degree (2:1), although candidates will usually also have completed or be undertaking a Masters qualification.

Research proposal

Candidates are required to provide an outline of the proposed research subject in about 1000 words. This need not be a final thesis proposal but should include:

• a straightforward, descriptive, and informative title
• the question that your research will address
• an account of why this question is important and worth investigating
• an assessment of how your own research will engage with recent study in the subject
• a brief account of the methodology and approach you will take
• a discussion of the primary sources that your research will draw upon, including printed books, manuscripts, archives, libraries, or museums
• an indicative bibliography of secondary sources that you have already consulted and/or are planning to consult

Your application, including your references and research proposal, will be passed to members of staff whose expertise and research interests most closely match the area of your proposed study.

Months of entry

Anytime

Course content

Research in Theology and Religious Studies encompasses a wide range of traditions, methods and perspectives and has been an ever-present part of the mission of the University since its foundation in 1451.

Researchers in Theology and Religious Studies continue to build on Glasgow's reputation for excellence in traditional fields of theology including:

• Biblical Studies
• Systematic Theology
• Catholic Moral Theology
• Practical Theology
• Church History and Scottish Religious History

Glasgow also has a strong profile in:

• Judaism and Jewish Studies
• Islam, particularly Sufism and religion in modern Iran
• Religion in the Asian Subcontinent
• Religion in Japan

Theology and Religious Studies in Glasgow has strong interdisciplinary research links to other subjects across the College of Arts. Recent collaborations have involved English and Scottish Literature, Medieval and Renaissance Studies, History, Classics, Law, Education, Philosophy, Medical Humanities and several Glasgow Museums.

Research clusters

• Biblical Interpretation
• History of Christianity
• Religion, conflict and transition
• Religion, literature and culture

Information for international students

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

• 7.0 overall with no subtest less than 7.0
• IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
• Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Fees and funding

Prices are based on the annual fee for full-time study. Fees for part-time study are half the full-time fee.

Irish nationals who are living in the Common Travel Area of the UK, EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status, and Internationals with Indefinite Leave to remain status can also qualify for home fee status.

Fee status and policies

Alumni discount

We offer a 20% discount to our alumni on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, Exchange programme, International Summer School or Erasmus programme with us. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships. No additional application is required.

Possible additional fees

• Re-submission by a research student £540
• Submission for a higher degree by published work £1,355
• Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed £350
• Submission by staff in receipt of staff scholarship £790

Depending on the nature of the research project, some students will be expected to pay a bench fee (also known as research support costs) to cover additional costs. The exact amount will be provided in the offer letter.

• College of Arts & Humanities Graduate School funding opportunities