Practical Theology DoctorateDPT

The Practical Theology Doctorate offers a structured approach to research. You'll build on your professional experience and combine this with academic research. Conduct evidence-based doctoral research to enhance and enrich your day-to-day work. 

Course structure

It usually takes six years part-time to complete the Practical Theology Doctorate. 

• Join a varied research community, working with faith leaders and practitioners from many backgrounds.
• Take part in seminars, workshops and a summer school.  Meet national and international scholars. 
• Undertake part-time study alongside other commitments. The structured format of this course supports you to return to academia and gives you the tools for independent research.
• Combine theory and practice to gain evidence-based insights for your work.

Connect with other professionals and faith-based leaders

Join a culturally diverse research community with the opportunity to work with professionals from different backgrounds. Get to know other researchers from your course and access research support by attending day schools and a residential event, where you'll meet other researchers undertaking similar courses from across the country.

• Bimonthly study days where you'll attend workshops and seminars from external national and international speakers. You’ll also connect with other Practical Theology Doctorate researchers for peer-to-peer learning and to critically discuss theology.
• Annual summer school residentials for two days in July.
• You’ll undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor. Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your programme to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research.
• You’re expected to take full responsibility for your work, developing your own timetable for your research project so you can successfully complete it on time.

The DPT intersects with many of the key themes of internationally significant research in our Department, including Theology and Lived Religion and its impact on society nationally and globally.

We usually require a good 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline.

We're looking for candidates who show the potential for doctoral level study in their applications and can reflect on their own practice.

We welcome applications from:

• Public sector professionals in health, education and social services
• Active members of caring professions such as psychotherapy, counselling, nursing, social work, community development
• Those involved in religious ministry in parish, congregational, or chaplaincy settings
• People working in charities, non-governmental organisations, in the cultural industries, or in the arts
• Those involved in industry or business wishing to deepen their understanding of the ethical and theological dimensions of their practice

We also look for an appropriate level of professional or voluntary experience in the area to be researched, often with a continuing role in that sector.

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2025.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership

For 2025 entry Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is offering up to 87 fully funded PhD studentships for eligible students in arts and humanities through an Open Competition and 23 studentships through Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA). 

The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

For 2025 entry Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers pathways at the University of Birmingham in:

• Applied Linguistics
• Area Studies
• Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis
• Economic and Social History
• Living in a Digital Society
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience 

The deadline for ESRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 21 January 2025.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. Before you submit your application, we ask that you contact the programme director, Dr Amy Daughton, in the first instance to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application.

When contacting Amy, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes.

Submitting your application

Postgraduate research on this programme launches at the start of the academic year in September. We would encourage you to apply by 1 June as it's important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.