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Ph.D. (Doctorate)

The University of St Andrews is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK. St Mary’s College (the School of Divinity), which hosts the Institute for Theology, Imagination and the Arts, was founded in 1538, and occupies a beautiful 16th-century quad in the heart of St Andrews. Doctoral students have excellent facilities within the School, including the historic King James Library and the Roundel, a dedicated doctoral study centre overlooking St Andrews’ 12th-century cathedral ruins.

ITIA’s Ph.D. programme is competitive and rigorous, and is aimed at those who already have the necessary coursework grounding to begin an independent doctoral research project. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates in the full range of subjects falling within the area of theology and the arts. Particular fields of expertise are outlined on our staff pages. Informal enquiries from prospective applicants are always welcome.

View from the Roundel
The view from the Roundel, the Ph.D. office building © SierraWhiskeyBravo

The focus of the Ph.D. programme is the completion of a doctoral dissertation under the supervision of one or two members of staff, usually in the course of three years of full-time work. Ph.D. students attend ITIA’s weekly research seminar, and are encouraged to receive language instruction and to attend other lectures, seminars and reading groups as appropriate. The majority of their time, however, is dedicated to independent research.

ITIA, the School of Divinity, and the University as a whole work together to provide doctoral candidates with the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic. (Paid) teaching assistantships are regularly advertised, and are combined with formal and informal teaching training. During the first year of study, students also undergo training in basic research skills, including a formalized GRADskills Programme offered by the University’s Centre for Educational Enhancement and Development (CEED). Regular workshops, both general and subject-specific, in areas such as publishing, conference presentations, and job searches are offered by the Institute, the School and the University.

The School and University offer a number of scholarships and bursaries, though as at all of the most prestigious UK universities, many of our doctoral students are self-funded. Full scholarship information can be found on the University’s funding pages.

Contact us

School of Divinity
St Mary's College
St Andrews
KY16 9JU
Fife, Scotland, UK

Phone:+44 (0)1334 462850