About The Course

Luther King Theological College offers PhD opportunities in all areas of contextual theology and ministry with the support of leading academics. This could include:

  • Worship
  • Ministry and church leadership
  • Chaplaincy
  • Congregational studies
  • Mission and multifaith engagement
  • Urban, political, social, liberation theologies
  • Biblical studies and languages
  • Pastoral theology and ministry
  • Local and global church history, theology, and governance.
Supervision and Academic Support

All our research students are allocated a supervisory team comprised of a main supervisor with significant previous supervisory experience, plus one or more co-supervisors with specialist subject knowledge in the student’s field of interest.

If you are on our research programmes, you can expect regular on-going individual supervision support, and you will be expected to attend our research training days three times a year. York St John University also offers its own programme of research training events which are available to our postgraduate research students.

Our Virtual Learning Site, Moodle, provides you with key information, documents and resources related to your research programme. As well as having access to our own library and learning resources, students enrolled on our postgraduate research programme also have full access to library and training resources at York St John University (including electronic access to library resources).

Entry Requirements

It is normally expected that those studying on our research programmes will have at least:

  • A Bachelors (Honours) degree at 2:1 level or above (or its international equivalent) in a related subject; and
  • A high standard of written and spoken English (IELTS Band 6.5 for those whose first language is not English)
Study Duration

Our current research programme can be studied part-time or full-time. PhD students have 3 years to complete their studies on a full-time basis, or 6 years on a part-time basis. In certain circumstances, with the agreement of their supervisors, students may submit their thesis early or may apply for an additional year in which to write up their research.

Useful Information

Discover what enrolling with Luther King will look like for you.

Information regarding government, denominational, and college financial support for you.

Learn more about our partners and what can be gained from study at Luther King

Individual challenges should not be a challenge to learning. We strive to support everybody in every way. Learn about how we help neurodiverse and/or disabled students, and anyone with additional learning needs.

Apply for our 2026 PhD Programme!

If you are interested in studying at postgraduate research level with us, please complete the initial enquiry form.

The application process is outlined here. As part of the application, you will write a research proposal outlining your plans for research. Download guidelines to writing this important document here.

If you would like an informal discussion about studying at postgraduate research level with us please contact the Programme Leader, Jonathan Tallon.

I am loving the journey!

I have been supported to become an excellent researcher and challenged to think more deeply about my own ideas and assumptions. I am loving the journey.