Centre for the Study of World Christianity

Postgraduate study

We manage a number of degree programmes related to the study of World Christianity.

Research degrees in World Christianity

Requirements and assignments

Postgraduates at the Centre for the Study of World Christianity must meet a number of requirements in order to progress through their degree programmes.

First year: developing the proposal

Everyone starting a research degree is initially registered as a Supervised Postgraduate (SPG) student.

You must stay in Edinburgh during your SPG year. Permission for absence is only given during exceptional circumstances.

For the first academic year you will work with an academic supervisor to prepare two pieces of written work for the approval of the Centre for the Study of Christianity in the Non-Western World ( CSCNWW).

Your methodological study

You will write a fifteen page paper either on the general field of your proposed research or on a particular theme within the research topic.

In either case you are required to demonstrate skills of writing and research, with particular attention to issues of methodology and bibliographical research.

Your proposal

A twenty-five page research proposal which will include:

Definition of topic
Rationale of the research in relation to relevant scholarship
Justification of working hypotheses
Discussion of methodology
Outline of chapters
Projection of probable conclusions
Working bibliography
Research timetable
Where field work travel is anticipated, a statement of financial support (listing secured funds and/or funds for which application has been/will be made)

Study during proposal preparation

Alongside preparation of your written work, there are a number of seminars which you are required to attend during your SPG year.

You are required to attend the Research Skills and Methods seminar in the first term, and the CSCNWW Methodology seminar.

All SPG students are expected to be familiar with aspects of Christianity in Africa, Asia and Latin America prior to re-registration for MPhil or PhD.

Active participation in the SPG Work in Progress seminar is required.

You may also be required to take MTh level courses relevant to your research topics without having to fulfil MTh course assessment requirements.

Candidates are encouraged to attend the CSCNWW Graduate seminar.

Continuing to the MPhil or PhD

After successful completion of your SPG year we will recommend candidates to the Associate Dean of Postgraduate Studies for re-registration for either the MPhil or PhD degree.

This article was published on Dec 16, 2009