Theology MPhil

About the course

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Theology is a 21 month degree. It offers extensive study of a particular field of theology at an advanced level, with rigorous training in relevant research methods and a period of scholarly research and writing.

Supervision

You will work closely with your supervisor and course coordinator for the specific subject stream of the MPhil in Theology on which you are enrolled. They will provide support, guidance and an overall direction for your studies.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Theology and Religion and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Faculty of Theology and Religion. In such circumstances, a second internal supervisor may be appointed.

Assessment

The course is assessed on the basis of four elements, including a combination of written examination papers, short essays and/or long essay. One of the elements is a thesis of up to 30,000 words based on independent scholarly research, which may contribute to a future research degree.

Two units, amounting to 40% of the course, will be assessed in the first year, with the remaining units, including the dissertation, assessed in the second year. The precise units assessed in the first year will be determined by the subject stream the student is studying. The choice of essays and dissertation topics is decided by the student, subject to advice from the supervisor and final approval by the Graduate Studies Committee of the Faculty of Theology and Religion.

There may be an oral examination (viva voce) on your dissertation topic and wider knowledge of your field of study.

Graduate destinations

Students who leave the University of Oxford with graduate degrees in theology enter a variety of careers all around the world.

Over half of those who gain an MSt or MPhil degree proceed to further, usually doctoral study. Most of the others secure employment as, for example, school teachers, civil servants or parliamentary research assistants, or go on to work with non-governmental organisations or in the media and journalism.