Overview

Key features

McMaster University's PhD program in Religious Studies three graduate fields of study (Asian, Judaism and Christianity in Antiquity and Western) and research is conducted in a range of topics and traditions, time periods and cultures, employing a wide variety of approaches: textual, ethnographic, historical, philosophical, theological, philological.

The department draws on a wide variety of methodological resources, especially philosophical, philloogical, literary, historical, and social scientific, in the effort to understand religion and religious phenomena.

Programme Structure

Areas of research include:

Asian Field (Buddhism, East Asian)

Biblical (Early Judaism, Early Christianity)

Western (Religion and Politics, Religion and the Social Sciences)

Ethnography

Theology

Historical Approaches

Religions in Antiquity

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2025-09-05 00:00:00
- Apply before 2025-01-14 00:00:00 , National
- Apply before 2025-01-02 00:00:00 , International

Language

English

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Delivered

On Campus

Disciplines

Theology and Religious Studies View 12 other PhDs in Theology and Religious Studies in Canada

Academic requirements

GPA

B+

English requirements

TOEFL^® IBT

92

Student insurance

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Additional medical costs (i.e. dental)
Repatriation, if something happens to you or your family
Liability
Home contents and baggage
Accidents
Legal aid

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Other requirements

General requirements

Students are admitted to the PhD program at one of three stages in their academic work. Normally they have completed the MA degree. The primary requirements in these cases are distinction in their previous graduate work (equivalent to at least a McMaster B+) and strong letters of reference.
Please include in your statement of interest (500-700 words) a description of your intended area of research, as well as information on your academic background and proficiency in foreign languages, detailing the relevant courses you have taken, levels at which they were taken, and the grades that you received for them.
Two Academic References
Official Transcripts
English Language Proficiency
Writing Sample (an essay or thesis chapter)

Tuition Fee

To always see correct tuition fees

International

11396 CAD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 5698 CAD per semester during 48 months.
National

4204 CAD/year

Tuition Fee

Based on the tuition of 2102 CAD per semester during 48 months.

Living costs for Hamilton

1163 - 1630 CAD /month

Living costs

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Religious Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

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