Philosophical Theology MPhil
University of Oxford
Key Course Facts
Course Description
MSt
The Master of Studies (MSt) in Philosophical Theology offers graduates in either philosophy or theology the opportunity to undertake advanced study in a field bridging the two disciplines.
The course is studied full-time, over nine months.
With a tutor, you will study two areas of philosophical theology. You should select your two papers based on your previous qualifications, from the following list:
- Philosophy of religion;
- History of philosophical theology; or
- A more specialised area of theology, such as the development of Christian doctrine to 787.
This course, which covers part of the ground covered by the MPhil in Philosophical Theology, provides an opportunity for advanced work in Philosophical Theology.
Candidates who opt to study History of Philosophical Theology, can choose to focus on two periods, for instance, the early medieval period and the period witnessing the birth of modern philosophy, 1760-1860. Those who are interested in exploring the history of Christian theology can choose between early Christianity (to AD 451) and the Reformation period.
For each area, depending on the subject and supervisor, you will have six or eight tutorials of 60 to 90 minutes in duration. For each tutorial, you will write an essay of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 words. Tutorials consist of close scrutiny and discussion of the essay and the issues it raises.
In addition to your tutorial work, you will also write a dissertation of 15,000 words, under the direction of a supervisor. The Faculty of Theology and Religion has a lively graduate community of students, including reading and work-in-progress groups.
MPhil
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Philosophical Theology is intended to provide you with detailed knowledge of philosophical theology, its history and a cognate area of philosophy, with the opportunity to hone your skills in research and in written and oral argument in these subjects.
Course structure
The course consists of a year of weekly tutorials followed by a year writing a 30,000 word dissertation.
In the first year, with a tutor, you will study three areas relevant to philosophical theology.
- The philosophy of religion: The choice of subject varies from such standards as arguments for and against the existence of God, but also subjects in the philosophical analysis of Christian doctrines.
- The history of philosophical theology: You will select two periods from the options of patristic (Origen, Augustine), medieval (Anselm, Aquinas) and modern (Kant, Schleiermacher, Kierkegaard) philosophy.
- A specialism in either philosophy or theology: You may select a subject such as metaphysics and theory of knowledge, or the development of Christian doctrine to 787.
For each area, depending on the subject and supervisor, you will have six or eight tutorials of 60 to 90 minutes in duration. For each tutorial, you will write an essay of approximately 3,000 to 5,000 words. Tutorials consist of close scrutiny and discussion of the essay and the issues it raises.
In the second year, under the direction of a supervisor, you will write a 30,000 word dissertation on a topic in philosophical theology. The Faculty of Theology and Religion has a lively graduate community of students, including reading and work-in-progress groups.
Entry Requirements / Admissions
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- Graduate Degrees
-
- 7.0
- Undergraduate Degrees
- (no subscore less than 6.0)
Costs
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
University Rankings
Positions of University of Oxford in top UK and global rankings.
See all 39 university rankings of University of Oxford
About University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a prestigious research university located in Oxford, England, and is the oldest English language university in the world. It is made up of 39 partly autonomous constituent colleges, six private halls, and a variety of academic departments which are split into four divisions: Humanities, Mathematical, Physical & Life Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Social Sciences.
List of 389 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Oxford - Course Catalogue
Student composition of University of Oxford
-
Total number of students enrolled at University of Oxford by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 12425
- postgraduates:
- 9785
- Total:
- 22210
Where is this programme taught
Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Religion and Theology with Study Abroad MArts (Hons) | University of Bristol | - | - | - | £9250 | £26400 | - | Bristol | On campus Full-time | |
Gaelic Studies and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Art History and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Theology and Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Philosophy and Theology MA (Hons) | The University of Edinburgh | - | - | - | £9250 | £26500 | - | Edinburgh | On campus Full-time | |
Sociology and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
International Relations and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Philosophy and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time | |
Politics and Theology & Religion MA (Hons) | University of Aberdeen | - | - | - | £9250 | £21900 £20800 | - | Aberdeen | On campus Full-time |