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School of Theology and Religious Studies

Centre For Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies

Research Degrees in Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies

The Pentecostal and charismatic movements have swept round the world in the 20th century. The time for academic reflection and research has arrived.

The Nature of the Degrees
The MPhil involves mastering a chosen topic and writing a dissertation of 60,000 words. The PhD is more demanding in that it requires an original contribution to knowledge and a dissertation of 80,000 to 100,000 words. Most students who wish to pursue the PhD must register first for the MPhil. The MPhil can be upgraded to a PhD.

Areas of research include:

  • Pentecostal/charismatic history
  • Pentecostal/charismatic theology
  • Pentecostal/charismatic mission
  • Pentecostal/charismatic worship
  • Pentecostal/charismatic church life
  • Practical, pastoral or empirical theology

Within these areas it is possible to carry out research on topics that are of particular interest to Pentecostals and charismatics. For example, studies on healing, the exercise of spiritual gifts, theologies of baptism or communion, church growth, church planting, leadership, church administration and structure, children’s work, youth work, musical ministry, preaching, prayer, spiritual warfare, New Testament prophecy, denominational or missionary society history and Pentecostal/ charismatic biography are all feasible research topics.

Resources
In addition to the resources of the University itself, students may arrange to use the library at Mattersey Hall, near Doncaster, or at Regents Theological College, Nantwich, which are approximately 2 or 3 hours away from Bangor by car and also accessible by train.

Both Mattersey and Regent’s belong to the classical Pentecostal stream and contain specialist collections of Pentecostal and charismatic publications. Additionally, the Donald Gee Centre for Pentecostal and Charismatic Research, a separate charity on the premises of Mattersey Hall, provides a unique range of archival documentation spanning the twentieth century. This is also available for a small extra charge.

How long do courses last?
MPhil full-time: period of registration one or two years; thesis to be submitted within three years of initial registration.

MPhil part-time: period of registration two or three years; thesis to be submitted within five years of initial registration.

PhD full-time: period of registration normally three years; thesis to be submitted within four years of initial registration (three years if the probationary year has been waived).

PhD part-time: period of registration between three and five years; thesis to be submitted within seven years of initial registration (five years if the probationary period is waived).

Fees
For information about fees for the next academic year, please visit the Academic Registry pages.

Eligibility
Students should normally have a good honours degree and have completed a master’s degree that includes a substantial dissertation. Variation of these requirements may be possible where the student has already demonstrated research competence in other ways (e.g. by publication).

Admissions Procedures
As a first step, prospective students are encouraged to contact theology@bangor.ac.uk to discuss these matters informally. You should then complete an application form that includes the detailed outline of their research proposal as well as the names of two academic referees.

Accommodation
Accommodation at the University or at Mattersey Hall at any point during the registration or pre-registration periods is usually possible at a discounted rate. Dining facilities are also available.

Overseas students
Although there are no formal residence requirements for part-time study, overseas students should expect to visit the UK for contact with their supervisor both in the pre-registration period and subsequently. The viva (or oral examination) will always take place in the UK. Bangor is on the north Wales coast. The nearest airport is either at Manchester (2 hours by train, but convenient because the railway station is walking distance on the airport site) or Liverpool.

Mattersey Hall is geographically in the middle of England (Manchester is the nearest airport, Retford and Doncaster are the nearest railway stations and junction 31 on the M1 is the nearest motorway exit). Regent’s Theological College is about 2 hours from Bangor by car and the same time by train. It is south west of Manchester.

We also enjoy partnership arrangements at postgraduate level with Asia Pacific Theological Seminary and Birmingham Christian College.

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