Islamic Philosophy and Kalām

About the course

The PhD in Islamic Philosophy and Kalām is the research degree for graduate students in the Faculty of Islamic Denominations. It involves extensive independent study and the opportunity to undertake and present original research at an advanced level.

This degree offers access to a wide variety of experienced specialists in many different fields of Islamic studies, with students developing an extensive range of research skills, and expertise in your chosen field of research.

Students admitted to the PhD will have acquired one of the Master’s degrees within their area of research. All PhD students are assigned a supervisor or supervisors, who will provide support and guidance to help them develop their ideas, direction and a programme of research.

PhD students become part of an active and vibrant community of graduate research students within the Faculty of Islamic Denominations. PhD students are encouraged to attend and contribute to a wide range of research seminars, workshops and conferences held within the faculty and across the University. They are also encouraged to attend and participate in the faculty’s professional development sessions, preparatory teaching workshops and graduate teaching training scheme.

The degree is awarded on the successful completion of the research dissertation and an oral examination, commonly called ‘the viva’ (viva voce).

The PhD in Islamic Theology (Transcendental Philosophy) is also available by distance learning. For further information, please see our page onPhD in Islamic Theology (Transcendental Philosophy) by distance learning

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Faculty of Islamic Denominations and it is not always impossible 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 University. In such circumstances, a second internal supervisor may be appointed.

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.

course fees for entry in 2021-22

Total cost of the course:

PHD Research degree: $ 5000

Education-oriented PHD : $ 8000

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). Please be aware that fees will usually increase annually; the increase will not exceed 6% each year. Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs.

Additional information

Full-time study

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs.

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

How to apply

The set of documents you should send with your application to this course comprises the following:

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

CV/résumé

A CV/résumé is compulsory for all applications. Most applicants choose to submit a document of one to two pages highlighting their academic achievements and any relevant professional experience.

Research proposal

The research proposal is a crucial element of a PhD application. It should communicate, not so much your personal autobiography, as your academic commitment and seriousness. Assessors are looking to be persuaded that you know the field in which you propose to conduct research, and are committed to spending several years working in it.

Content:

Each proposal will be read and carefully evaluated by specialists, and should contain an outline of the research you plan to undertake and what you intend to achieve. All proposals should be submitted in English. A selective bibliography may be included.

You should explain, within your proposal:

the specific field in which you propose to conduct research;
how you intend to structure and undertake your research;
the questions, problems, issues and debates with which you expect to engage;
how you see the proposed research building on your previous study;
your knowledge of any languages required for your research project – if you are unsure which languages might be required, see the entry requirements or contact the faculty directly.

You may also wish to include a provisional title for your dissertation. While it is normal for plans to change in the course of developing a project, you should make your best effort to define your intended research, identify the focal question or problem to which it will constitute an answer or solution, specify a finite body of core texts or sources, and explain the methods involved.

Assessment:

This will be assessed for your reasons for applying, the coherence of your proposal, the originality of your project; evidence of motivation for and understanding of the proposed area of study and your ability to present a reasoned case in English.

A research proposal is assessed in terms of the intellectual coherence and academic originality of the project; evidence of the applicant’s motivation and understanding of the proposed area of study; and the feasibility of successfully completing the project in the time available for the course (up to four years full-time).

The faculty will also assess your commitment to the subject beyond the requirements of the degree course, preliminary knowledge of research techniques, capacity for sustained and intense work, evidence of reasoning ability, and ability to absorb new ideas, which are often presented abstractly at a rapid pace.

Apply using the Applicant Portal

The “Apply Now” button below will take you to the Applicant Portal, where you can create and submit your application and supporting documents.

An application is only complete when:
you have submitted your application and supporting documents via the Applicant Portal.