Religions and Theology

Overview

Assessment is based on the thesis and an oral examination.A particular strength of Manchester is the ability of research students to draw on the expertise of specialists in a wide range of disciplines. 

This Religions & Theology offers the possibility of developing interdisciplinary projects with high level expertise in both disciplines. For instance, recent PhD students have had supervision jointly between lecturers in: Biblical studies and Roman social history; theology and music; South Asian Studies and sociology. 

There is also training available in a wide range of disciplines that can support a Religions and Theology PhD. For instance, Manchester provides one of the UK's widest selections of language teaching.

The PhD programme at The University of Manchester is based on supervised independent research. The student-supervisor relationship thus sits at the heart of this programme. Each student has a main supervisor, a co-supervisor and an additional panel member who acts as an independent reviewer. The Religions and Theology Postgraduate Research Officer provides more general academic advice and support.

In addition to regular personal supervision our graduate research students each have a research panel which meets a minimum of two times per year (on more occasions if necessary). 

The research panel increases the breadth of expertise available to the student and widens the informational and networking opportunities accessible to them. In addition the panel reviews the development of the student's research proposal, provides feedback on draft chapters and conference papers, discusses research progress, and provides guidance on the formulation of realistic objectives. 

During the course of their programme, research postgraduates need to develop both broad generic research skills and specialised skills relevant to their specific discipline and field study. Some of these skills will be acquired as part of the skills training that has been developed within the school was well as a range of courses available within the University.

Career opportunities

Many of our Religions and Theology PhD graduates have gone on to leading academic positions in countries such as the UK, USA, South Korea, Australia, Burundi, South Africa. Among past PhD graduates are Morna Hooker, Donald Hagner, W. Ward Gasque, Robert Gundry, Quek Swee Hwa, Seyoon Kim, Ronald Fung, Moises Silva, Charles Wanamaker, David Wenham, Peter O'Brien, Peter H. Davids. Among the posts held by recent PhD graduates are Head of Department at a UK university, Principal of a Bible College in Burundi, Assistant Professor at a Canadian university, and post-doctoral fellowships at a leading Canadian university, at the John Rylands Research Institute, and with a leading European research project based in France. 

The Religions and Theology PhD programme at Manchester also provides development of research skills valuable for careers other than academic teaching. Many professions today require investigative skills. Some in the media spend time researching angles of events that relate to religions. 

Some in the health service investigate the experiences of various cultural groups in accessing services. Many in museums, libraries and other archives require the textual and historical research skills that our courses teach. PhD study in Religions and Theology gives you a high level qualification for a wide range of investigative tasks. More broadly, careers in a wide range of fields are available as for all those graduating with PhD's in Humanities subjects. 

Whatever employment area postgraduates choose, their studies will provide them with transferable skills as well as enhancing their intellectual and personal development.