Earning
a PhD Degree from a UK University without Leaving the United States
R. Alan Streett (PhD, University of Wales)
©Richard Alan Streett
Senior Research Professor of Biblical Exegesis
Criswell College
Dallas, Texas
astreett@criswell.edu
Are you interested in working on a PhD in
theology or biblical studies from a UK university without moving to Great
Britain? The openings are limited and you need to know the options and the application
process. Earning a postgraduate degree (as it is called in the UK) is rigorous
and usually takes approximately 4‒6 years part-time. These are not “seminary”
PhDs, but “university” degrees that prepare you for a career as an academic.
I.
Schools
That Welcome American Students
Here are eight universities in the UK
that work with American students. One may be a match for you.
1. Nazarene Theological College validated by University of Manchester
2. Cliff College validated by University of Manchester
3. Spurgeon’s College validated by the University of Manchester
4. St Johns Nottingham validated by University of Chester
5. Wales Evangelical School of Theology validated by the University of Chester
6. Highland Theological College validated by University of Aberdeen
7. London School of Theology validated by University of Middlesex
8. Trinity College validated by the University of Bristol
II. The Validation System
You work with the first school mentioned,
but receive your degree from the latter school. This is known as the validation
system in the UK. So your initial step is to get on the first school's website.
Second, go to the "postgraduate" link. Read about the PhD application
process, etc. Third, contact via email the professor in your desired
field. Fourth, tell him/her of your
research interests. It is best to be specific. Unlike American dissertations
that are often topic-driven, most UK dissertations are "thesis-driven."
That means you state a proposition or thesis and then seek to prove it. For
example, my thesis was: “The Lord’s Supper during the first century CE was an
anti-imperial practice.” Fifth, ask the professor if s/he would be interested
in supervising such a project. Sixth, make formal application to the validating
school and the degree awarding university. Seventh, realize that if accepted,
you will likely be classified as an “MPhil/PhD” student. You will be
reclassified as PhD student after one year if your academic progress is deemed
worthy. The school year in the UK usually begins in October.
III.
Bypassing
the Validation Process
Recently, a few UK schools have begun
working directly with American postgraduate students, thus bypassing the
validation process. They include the Universities of Durham, Wales, Edinburgh,
Exeter, Gloucestershire, and Birmingham. The University of Aberdeen offers both
options. You can work through Highland Theological College or work directly
with Aberdeen itself.
There two advantages of working directly
with a university. First, by eliminating the middleman, you can cut the cost of
your education. Second, you are more likely to work under the supervision of a
world class scholar.
IV.
Choosing
the Right School
Are you interested in earning your
degree from a top tier theology department or are you more concerned with
having a good relationship with your supervisor? The answer to this question
may guide your choice of a school.
1. Each
department in a UK university is ranked according to its academic excellence.
Rank is based on the quality of research (books, peer reviewed articles, etc.)
being produced by each faculty, which is evaluated by scholarly panels using
objective standards. The latest ranking—the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise
(RAE)—can be found on the internet. In 2014, the Research Excellence Framework
(REF) will replace RAE.
2. Since
you will be working with the same supervisor for a half dozen years, it is
important to find one with whom you can work. This means finding a supervisor
who 1) likes Americans, 2) is available to answer your questions, 3) has
patience working with someone unfamiliar with the British system, 4) is as
concerned with your success as much as s/he is with their own publication schedule,
5) is an encourager, 6) recommends resources, 7) reads your chapters and offers
a critical evaluation, and 8) guides you through each step of the PhD process.
V. Research is the Name of the Game
These are not online education degrees,
but research degrees. You receive the same degree as those who reside on
campus. You work with the same supervisors, write the same quality thesis
(dissertation), and orally defend your thesis (a process known as a viva voca). But instead of being on
campus, you meet regularly with your supervisor through Skype, email, etc. Some
schools require you to visit campus once a year or once every two years, but
others do not. Many meetings between students and supervisors take place at the
annual Society of Biblical Literature conference, which convenes in a different
American city each year.
Be forewarned, a UK research degree is
not for the faint of heart. As one Oxford scholar said, “American PhD programs
are a mile wide and an inch deep. UK programs are an inch wide and a mile
deep.” This means American PhD graduates are more generalists and UK PhD
graduates are more specialists. American PhD programs are more structured and
require a student to take classes in a variety of subjects (usually 48 credits
hours), plus write a dissertation. UK PhD programs require a student to spend
the equivalent amount of time conducting narrowly focused research toward the
thesis. There are no classroom requirements, even for full-time students who
live on campus.
VI. The Financial Costs
Typically, UK programs do not offer
financial assistance to Americans. So expect to pay the full tuition, which can
run as high as 6,000 British pounds per year. Additional costs might include
travelling expenses to SBL cities and/or to Great Britain: airfare, lodging,
meals, and land transportation, etc.
VII.
The
Thesis
You should only submit your thesis after
your supervisor believes your research is PhD worthy. The degree-granting university
will then select two scholars to critically read your thesis and examine you on
its content. One will be an internal reader from the university. The other will
be an external reader from another UK university. One will likely be an expert
in your area of research and both will be scholars in your particular discipline
(NT, theology, church history, etc.). A date will be set and you will meet for
the viva voca, which will involve a
2-3 hour period of intense questioning to determine if you can defend your
thesis and elaborate on your research. At the end of the viva voca, you will step outside the room while the examiners
discuss the thesis and your responses. You will be called back into the room
and given the verdict. Your thesis will be assigned one of the following
grades: 1) Pass “as is” without need for revisions or further clarifications;
2) Pass with minor revisions which must be completed and submitted within three
months; 3) Pass with significant revisions, which must be completed and
submitted within one year; 4) Major rewrite, which must be completed and submitted
within two years along with taking another viva
voca; 5) Not acceptable or the possible award of MPhil instead of PhD. Your
goal is to receive one of the first three evaluations.
VIII.
Is
a UK PhD Program for You?
Over the past few years, I have recommended
four American students for UK PhD programs who were accepted and matriculated
into the programs. However, only one earned a degree. The others dropped out.
All were smart enough to complete the program, but they lacked either self-confidence
and/or self-discipline, or else, faced time constraints. So, count the cost
before you apply.
If you are a self-starter, inquisitive,
thick skinned, academically able to do original research, have a history of
meeting deadlines, work well with a supervisor, and do not get discouraged
easily, you may be the ideal candidate.
An American or UK PhD program—which is
best for you? That depends on your goals, aptitude, interest, personality, work
schedule, finances, etc. The Lord will guide you in your selection of the right
doctoral program.
If
you have any further questions, feel free to write me at:
astreett@criswell.edu.
