Philosophical Theology

The course consists of a year of tutorials, producing written work, then followed by a year writing a dissertation. In the first year, you work on philosophy of religion, history of philosophical theology, and a specific area in either philosophy or theology. Depending on the subject and supervisor, there will be six or eight tutorials, each 75 minutes in duration, for which written work is normally produced. Instructors provide reading lists and help you choose topic for your work. Tutorials consist of close scrutiny and discussion of the paper and the issues it raises.

In the second year, students are assessed via a 30,000-word dissertation and three three-hour written exams.

Topics available in philosophy of religion include the arguments for and against the existence of God, but also subjects in the philosophical analysis of Christian doctrines. In the history of philosophical theology, you select two periods from the options of patristic (Origen, Augustine), medieval (Anselm, Aquinas) and modern (Kant, Schleiermacher, Kierkegaard) philosophy. In the third subject, you write on core topics and authors.

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Theology and Religion and the Faculty of Philosophy 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 and the Faculty of Philosophy.

All but three students who entered the MPhil in the last 12 years sought to go on to doctoral programmes in philosophy. Of those who aimed at this, all who did well in the program succeeded; most schools in the US top 20, alongside Oxford, have offered admission to at least one MPhil graduate.

Amongst the three students who did not aim at further study in philosophy, one was admitted to doctoral research in theology at Oxford, one embarked on a successful career in law, and one entered the Church of England and now works for the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. In certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information, please see our page on changes to courses.

Other courses you may wish to consider

If you're thinking about applying for this course, you may also wish to consider the courses listed below. These courses may have been suggested due to their similarity with this course, or because they are offered by the same department or faculty.

Courses suggested by the faculty

Philosophical Theology MSt
Practical Ethics MSt
Philosophy of Physics MSt
Applied Theology MTh
Applied Theology PGDip
Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World MPhil
Study of Religions MSt
Theology DPhil
Theology MPhil
Theology DPhil
Theology and Religion PGDip
Philosophy DPhil
Philosophy BPhil

All graduate courses offered by the Faculty of Theology and Religion

Applied Theology MTh

Applied Theology PGDip

Judaism and Christianity in the Graeco-Roman World MPhil

Philosophical Theology MPhil

Philosophical Theology MSt

Study of Religions MSt

Theology MPhil

Theology MSt

Theology BTh

Theology and Religion DPhil

Theology and Religion PGDip

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Entry requirements