Philosophical Theology (Taught)

The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2025). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.

MSt
The 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.

Course structure
With a tutor, you will study two areas of philosophical theology.

This course, which covers part of the ground covered by the MPhil in Philosophical Theology, provides an opportunity for advanced work in Philosophical Theology.

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 community of graduate students, including reading and work-in-progress groups.

Progression to the DPhil in Theology relies on a strong performance in the taught course. The faculty would normally expect a final grade of 67% or above.

MPhil
The MPhil in Philosophical Theology is intended to provide you with detailed knowledge of philosophical theology, including the opportunity to study its history and a cognate area of philosophy or theology.

You will hone your skills in research and in written and oral argument in these subjects.

Course structure
The first year of the course consists of weekly tutorials and in the second year, you will write a dissertation.

With a tutor, you will study three subject areas. 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.

The Faculty of Theology and Religion has a lively community of graduate students, including reading and work in-progress groups.