Institute Of Theology

Prospective Students

Admissions for Taught/Research Degrees

Application forms and references

1. Candidates must use the University’s postgraduate application form. Please refer to the menu link: Queen's On-Line for Prospective Students or click here for further information for Prospective Students.

2. All applications are considered by the Theology Postgraduate Research Committee.

3. Selectors may, if they wish, require candidates to attend for interview before a decision is made.

Closing dates

The Theology Postgraduate Committee meet four times each year to discuss applications: September, November, March, and May.

Candidates should ensure that their application form has been submitted (via the on-line application process) to the University well before these dates so that all relevant information, for example copies of your degree transcripts, references, etc. has been collated and is available for the meeting. Failure to provide all relevant details may delay a decision on your application.

Candidates who wish to apply for funding should note the University’s official closing dates for the submission of their application is as follows:

taught postgraduate courses: 1 April
postgraduate research: 15 May.

Criteria for Admission

1. Candidates must hold (or be about to qualify for) a degree from an approved university or hold another qualification which the University considers to be an appropriate alternative to a primary degree.

2. International candidates are required to have the appropriate English Language Qualification.

3. Theology has clearly-stated selection criteria and adhere strictly to these criteria in all cases. Normally, the following conditions will apply:

Selection procedure

The decisions of applications considered by the Theology Postgraduate Research Committee will be transmitted to the Admissions Office. The decisions which are available to selectors are as follows:

1.   Unconditional offer: where the candidate already has the necessary qualifications.
2.   Conditional offer: where the candidate has to reach a specified level of achievement before the offer is confirmed.
3.   Reject.

Entry to a research degree (MPhil/PhD)

Applicants for research degrees must satisfy one of the following criteria:

2:1 Honours degree or above in Theology or the equivalent. In addition, applicants are required to have a Masters degree in Theology with an overall average of 60% or above and 60% or above in the Dissertation.

2:1 Honours degree or equivalent. QUB MDiv with an average mark above 60% and 60% or above in the Dissertation.

2:1 Honours degree or equivalent. QUB MTh through qualifying modules with an overall average of 60% or above and 60% or above in the Dissertation.

In addition to the requisite qualifications applicants must provide:

·         Good references indicating that the candidate has the academic ability to undertake doctoral research.

·         A detailed Research proposal submitted with the application form. The research proposal (1500 - 2000 words) should outline the research topic, the methodology, the theoretical context within which the research will be carried out (if appropriate), and an indicative bibliography. This must be accepted by the proposed supervisor.

·         Where appropriate, an applicant needs an IELTS score of 7 (candidates must be fully proficient in written and spoken English) and a CGPA of 3.5 or above to be considered.

·         Students applying for entrance to a research degree programme in Biblical Studies should have a minimum of a level 2 qualification in Greek and Hebrew before commencing research

Entry to the MDiv
- Applicants for admission must hold a 2:1 honours degree or above from a recognised institution and have obtained the QUB Graduate Diploma in Theology with a pass mark of 60% or above in each module. For overseas students the equivalent of a 2:1 honours degree equals a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher from an accredited institution. Where appropriate, applicants will also require an IELTS score of 6.5 or above.
Entry to the MTh
- Applicants for admission must hold either (a) a 2:1 honours degree or above from a recognised institution where Theology and Divinity is the main subject area, or (b) a 2:1 honours degree in a subject other than Theology/Divinity, and the QUB Graduate Diploma in Theology with a pass mark of 60% or above in each module. For overseas students a 2:1 honours degree is equivalent to a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 or higher from an accredited institution. Where appropriate, applicants will also require an IELTS score of 6.5 or above.