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New Testament Language, Literature and Theology

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MPhil New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 2 Years (Full-time)

MSc by Research New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 1 Year (Full-time)

MSc by Research New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 2 Years (Part-time)

MTh by Research New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 1 Year (Full-time)

MTh by Research New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 2 Years (Part-time)

PhD New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 3 Years (Full-time)

PhD New Testament Language, Literature and Theology - 6 Years (Part-time)

Information on fees & costs

Individual programme fees are linked above. For detailed information on fee status, policies, payment and funding opportunities see:

Contact information: Postgraduate Admissions
Phone: +44 (0)131 650 8952
Email: divinity.pg@ed.ac.uk; Dr Helen Bond
Email: H.Bond@ed.ac.uk; Address: School of Divinity
New College
Mound Place
Edinburgh
EH1 2LX

The School of Divinity is home to a thriving research community. All of our academic staff are engaged in individual research and writing projects and many are also involved in collaborative projects with colleagues across the world.

Entry requirements

International students

All applicants must meet our general entry and language requirements. Detailed advice for international students is available here:

Research profile

Recent staff publications have focused on the gospels; Paul; the apocalypse; the apocryphal gospels and early second-century texts and developments; textual criticism; New Testament ethics; Qumran; the historical; religious and literary environment of the New Testament; and New Testament Christology.

Postgraduate research is welcomed in a variety of areas, including exegesis, historical-critical issues, textual and literary criticism, the relation between early Christianity and its religious and historical setting, history of interpretation, and hermeneutical questions.

There is a research seminar for staff and students to which visiting speakers are invited. Taught courses, at an advanced level, which contribute to your interest and research needs, may be undertaken where available.

Staff and student numbers

Our community comprises 450 students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and nearly 30 full-time academic staff, including internationally respected scholars in a wide range of specialisms.

We welcome students from around the world, from religious and non-religious backgrounds, taking pride in our status as a renowned research centre in a broad spectrum of subject areas.

Training and support

The large graduate school and the presence of visiting academics from around the world help ensure a diverse and stimulating research environment.

All research students are assigned a primary and secondary supervisor. You are offered a training course in research methods, and are given conscientious supervision from your first weeks through to submission of your thesis. There are also special orientation events for international students.

As a postgraduate researcher you can draw on the outstanding library resources of New College, the University of Edinburgh and the nearby National Library of Scotland.

Facilities

The School is situated within the New College buildings in the centre of Edinburgh. New College Library is the largest single-site theological library in the UK. Computing facilities and study spaces are made available to all postgraduate students.

The Rainy Hall is a large and impressive student common room housing a refectory, and has wireless internet access.

Funding

A large number of scholarships, loans and other funding schemes are available for your postgraduate studies.

Awards are offered by the School of Divinity, the College of Humanities & Social Science, the University of Edinburgh, the Scottish, British and international governments and funding bodies.

Please see Scholarships and Student Funding Services for other funding opportunities:

Scholarships and Student Funding Services

Research opportunities

We offer two types of research degree at masters level, as well as PhD programmes.

Masters by Research

These one-year masters degrees by research are designed for students with an academic training in divinity or religious studies (or other relevant subjects) who wish to focus on a particular topic. The programme may be taken as either a Master of Theology by Research or a Master of Science by Research. The difference is one of nomenclature only.

Both involve research training and orientation courses, after which you may either research and submit a single dissertation of about 30,000 words, which comprises the remaining assessment for the degree, or you can take three further courses to provide appropriate background and preparatory study for the topic of your research, and then submit a dissertation of about 15,000 words.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

The MPhil requires a minimum of two years’ full-time study. You will be provided with two supervisors.

During the first year you will explore your chosen area of research and refine your proposal. After nine to twelve months a draft of a chapter or a part- chapter will be submitted for discussion at a Review Board, together with a developed proposal for the whole thesis (of no more than 50,000 words).

On the basis of progress-to-date, and the prospects for the research, the Review Board will make a recommendation on the continuation of studies, for which your programme may be confirmed as MPhil status or, exceptionally, promoted to PhD status.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Research towards a PhD requires a minimum of three years’ full-time work under the guidance of two supervisors. For PhD study we look for a proven ability to sustain independent research under supervision, normally in the form of a masters degree involving a dissertation. Since in the British model of doctoral studies there is little formal coursework, and the time available is limited to four years, we look for a substantial degree of preparation in any necessary adjunct skills, including languages. Competence in academic writing in English is also essential.

Progress during the first year is monitored by an end-of-year Review Board at which a full, formal research proposal must be presented, along with a sample of work. The Board will make a recommendation based on its reading of your submission and an interview. You then proceed with your research, culminating in your 100,000-word dissertation.

Further Information

This article was published on Apr 25, 2013