Research degrees are open to graduates of at least four years of full-time tertiary study, including at least one year of study in theology or an associated discipline. Upon being admitted to one of these degrees the research candidate become a member of the University of Divinity’s School of Graduate Research (SGR). Research students have full borrowing rights at all the libraries of the University of Divinity, and are supported by a regular program of research activities, where they have the opportunity to meet with other research students, and to discuss the progress of their own work.
Featured Links
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Meet our research students
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Meet our research supervisors
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Research process/flowchart
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Typical research paths
2022 Key Research Dates
February
- 1 Tuesday: HDR Applications due (1 of 4)
- 11 Friday: 1pm: Staff/Postgraduate Seminar: Dr Rosemary Canavan
- 11 Friday: UD Research Grant Applications due (1 of 3)
- 15 Tuesday: 7pm: Orientation: Online via Zoom
- 25 Friday: Opening Mass: Location: Sacred Heart Church, Carlton
March
- 7 Monday: HREC Applications due (1 of 3)
- 8 Tuesday: Minor Thesis Forms due to CTC
- 11 Friday: 1pm: Staff/Postgraduate Seminar: Dr Callan Ledsham
- 14 Monday: Labour Day (CTC Open)
- 15 Tuesday: Census Date (1 of 4)
- 18 Friday: 1pm: HDR Meeting (face-to-face or Zoom)
- 25 Friday: 7.30pm: Melbourne Graduation Ceremony:
St Paul’s Cathedral, East Melbourne
April
- 17 Sunday: Easter Sunday (CTC closed)
- 25 Sunday: ANZAC Day (CTC closed)
May
- 2 Monday: HDR Applications due (2 of 4)
- 6 Friday: 1pm: Staff/Postgraduate Seminar: Dr Robert Dixon
- 13 Friday: 1.00pm: HDR Meeting (face-to-face or Zoom)
- 13 Friday: UD Research Grant Applications due
- 20 Friday: 11am: Philosophy Discipline Seminar
- 23 May – 3 June: HDR Confirmation Period
June
- 1 Wednesday: 9.30am – 4pm: Research Day 2022 (St Paschal Campus, Box Hill): in person or online
- 2 Thursday: 6.30pm: College Mass, Prizegiving & Reception:
St John the Evangelist Church & Catholic Leadership Centre, East Melbourne - 13 Monday: Queen’s Birthday (CTC closed)
- 21 Tuesday: Census Date (2 of 4)
- 27 Monday: HREC Applications due (2 of 3)
July
- 19 Tuesday: 7pm: Orientation: Online via Zoom
August
- 1 Monday: HDR Applications due (3 of 4)
- 5 Friday: 1pm: Staff/Postgraduate Seminar: Dr Birute Arendarcikas RSM
- 9 Tuesday: Minor Thesis Form due to CTC
- 12 Friday: 1pm: HDR Students Meeting (face-to-face or via Zoom)
- 19 Friday: 11am: Philosophy Discipline Seminar
- 26 Friday: 9.30am – 4.30pm: Catholic Dialogue School Today (day 1 of 2)
September
- 2 Friday: 9.30am – 4.30pm: Catholic Dialogue School Today (day 2 of 2)
- 2 Friday: UD Research Grant Applications due
- 13 Tuesday: Census Date (3 of 4)
- 23 Friday: Grand Final Eve (CTC closed)
- 28 Wednesday: Research Bites: Deliver your research ideas as a lightning talk (online event): 5 min talks | 5 min questions
October
- 7 Friday: 1pm: Staff/Postgraduate Seminar: Dr Christopher Morris
- 12 Wednesday: 7.30pm: Knox Public Lecture
Speaker: To Be Advised
Location: Celtic Hall, Catholic Leadership Centre - 14 Friday: 1pm: HDR Students Meeting via Zoom
- 17 Tuesday: HDR Applications due (3 of 4)
- 24 October – 4 November: HDR Confirmation Period
- 24 Monday: HREC Applications due (3 of 3)
November
- 1 Tuesday: Melbourne Cup (CTC closed)
- 4 Friday: 5.30pm: End of Year Mass and Refreshments:
Location: Sacred Heart Church, Carlton - 15 Tuesday:
- HDR Annual Reports due
- Research Scholarship Applications due
- 22 Tuesday: Census Date (4 of 4)
- Open Day Information Sessions: online via Zoom To Be Advised
December
- 2 Friday: 7.30pm: Adelaide Graduation Ceremony: Immanuel College Chapel, 32 Morphett Road, Novar Gardens, South Australia
Research Application Procedures
- Prospective students apply directly to the College for admission. Every applicant is considered on an individual basis.
- University of Divinity Exchange Students enrol through their home college.
- University of Divinity Enrolment Policy
CTC reserves the right to use its discretion in accepting applications for enrolment, in accordance with the University of Divinity Admissions Policy.
Contact your Course Advisor: Rev. Dr Max Vodola, Associate Dean I(Research) to begin the application process.
View the Research Process and Research Flowchart before you begin.
Enrolment Schedule
| 2022 | HDR Intake 1 | HDR Intake 2 | HDR Intake 3 | HDR Intake 4 |
| Start Dates | 1 February | 2 May | 1 August | 17 October |
| Census Dates | 15 March | 21 June | 13 September | 22 November |
| End Dates | 29 July | 31 October | 31 January | 14 April 2023 |
HDR Scholarship applications close 15 November.
Enrolment Process
Step 1: Arrange for an Interview
Contact the Associate Dean (Research) to arrange an appointment.
Step 2: Bring to the Interview
- Proof of Citizenship (e.g. Birth Certificate or Passport)
- Academic/VCE transcripts
- Evidence of any Change of Name (if applicable)
- IELTS results (Overseas students only)
- Visa information (Overseas students only)
- Sponsor Statement (if third party is paying your tuition fees)
- Digital Headshot (for student records/ID card)
- Covid Vaccination Certificate
Step 3: Interview
- Discuss your proposal with the Research Coordinator
- Complete the HDR Application form
Step 4: Receive from the SGR or CTC
- Confirmation letter (by email)
- Student card (either in person or by post, when enrolment has been processed)
Step 5: Orientation
Attend one of our orientation sessions.
Payment
Payment must be arranged at time of enrolment. For more information see the Fees page.
Research Units
The University of Divinity offers two research units.
Research Methodologies
This unit introduces students to contemporary approaches to research methodologies across various disciplines.
Minor Thesis
The Minor Thesis provides training for students in development of research skills and tests their capacity to undertake research.
Courses
The University of Divinity offers two higher degrees by research.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
The purpose of the MPhil is to qualify individuals to apply an advanced body of knowledge in divinity or one or more of its associated disciplines in a range of contexts.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
The purpose of the PhD is to qualify individuals who apply a substantial body of knowledge to research, investigate and develop new knowledge, in one or more areas.
Research Resources on ARK
Please logon to ARK to access the following:
- CTC Resources on ARK
- HDR Resources on ARK
Supervisor and Researcher Training
Supervision
Each HDR candidate works with at least two supervisors, a primary supervisor and an associate supervisor. The role of the supervisor is to support, guide, and encourage you in you work, as well as give you feedback on your writing. As you develop as a researcher, the relationship between the HDR candidate and the supervisor undergoes subtle changes as you become the expert in your field of research.
Researcher Training
The SGR offers several different training opportunities, and we are continuing to develop this program. The aim of training is to equip you with the skills you need to compete your dissertation, but also to prepare you for life after completion. Areas covered include general orientation to the research environment, opportunities to participate in research methodologies units, training for the first major milestone—the confirmation panel, academic writing skills development, workshops on presenting and publishing your research and planning your career.
Thesis Boot Camp and “Shut up and Write” sessions
The School of Graduate Research organises three thesis bootcamps a year. A Thesis Bootcamp is a two-day intensive Keeping yourself motivated to write can be a challenge. The SGR organises writing events throughout the year. Thesis bootcamps run over two days and provide the space and motivation for a period of concentrated writing. “Shut up and Write” sessions are only 2-3 hours at a time but run on a more regular basis.
Thesis Boot Camp
You can participate in person (COVID-permitting) at the School of Graduate Research office in Box Hill (Melbourne), or online via Zoom. Thursday 9 September – Saturday 11 September
Research Seminars and Research Days
CTC and the University of Divinity run regular research seminars and conferences. Engaging with other researchers and scholars, listening to their work, and presenting your own, helps to develop critical thinking and engagement, and broadens our knowledge of a breadth of disciplines and research. It is another way of building community.
See key research dates above.
Study Carrels
A number of lockable study carrels are available in the Mannix Library for use by research students. Allocations are made at the beginning of each year. Applications should be made to the Deputy Master by the end of November.
Recent Research Graduates
Latest Research News
Supervision Resource from Assoc Prof. Liz Boase.
Kumar, S., Kumar, V. & Taylor, S. (2020) A Guide to Online Supervision. UK Council for Graduate Education. Available on-line.
As I converse with candidates, I note that student experiences with supervision do vary across the University. There is a considerable body of research that supports a correlation between supervision and good outcomes for candidates, demonstrating that students thrive best when they meet with supervisors regularly (at least monthly). Regular meetings provide opportunities for discussion about ideas, future research direction, problem solving, and support. In this way the focus is on the student and their needs and not solely on written work. There is, after all, much more to developing effective researchers than providing comments on their writing (although that too is important).
Study and Mentoring Program offered by the Good Samaritan Sisters
Research News on Vox
Dr Barbara Deutschmann
Dr Barbara Deutschmann graduated with a PhD in 2020. Her thesis is a literary study of the female-male pair in the non-P creation narrative (Gen 2:4a–3:24).
“The University of Divinity offered a breadth of Christian tradition that I knew would stretch and challenge me. The interdenominational strength of the university encompassed a wider variety of approaches to Christian formation than the evangelical tradition in which I had come to faith.”
John O’Connor
John O’Connor graduated with a Master of Theology (Research) in 2020. His thesis is an exegesis of Luke’s Parable of the Persistent Widow: Luke 18:1–8 in context.
“In contrast to what some feminist scholars claim, that Luke in his Gospel portrays women in somewhat negative and passive light, especially in lacking leadership and discipleship roles, my research attempts to explain and argue the case for an alternative perspective.”
Rev Dr Richard Wilson
Rev Dr Richard Wilson graduated with a PhD in 2020. His thesis examined the institutional church in Australia’s influence on public policy formation, especially in economics, finance and business.
“I chose the University of Divinity because it specialises in theological research, appropriate to my specialisation in public theology. In particular, I wanted to retain my long association (since 2002) with Trinity College Theological School, which has nurtured my development as a theologian.”