- Caleb Kaltenbach
Obtaining an Overseas PhD Without Moving Overseas
Updated: Dec 22, 2020

****This page is regularly updated****
I love education... I may have missed "my calling" to be an academic dean or professor. Anyway, one of the fascinating developments to watch has been the increased ways to study for a PhD. In the past, PhD students would move nearby or live on the campus to undertake their study. Over the last 10 years, many North American and overseas learning institutions have developed more user-friendly study methods. Modular programs, online classes, cohorts, intensive weeks, independent study classes, partnerships with conferences, and more are just a few of the various study methods.
Whereas a majority of North American PhD programs involve doctoral seminars before writing the dissertation, many overseas PhD programs focus solely on writing the dissertation (commonly referred to as "dissertation only"). Given that students have access to a major university library and can Zoom/FaceTime with their mentor professors once or twice a month, a growing number of overseas schools allow PhD students to study in their home country. Such programs require either minimal or no travel before graduation.
Below are some overseas schools offering PhD's (in areas like biblical studies, theological studies, religion, ministry/practical theology, philosophy of religion, missions/intercultural studies, and so on) that don't require relocation.
Hope you enjoy the post. Be sure and check out other blog posts in this series: earning an overseas masters degree, where to earn a 100% online masters degree, and PhD distance learning programs in the United States.
AUSTRALIA
Australian School of Theology
**You choose one of their schools to study for a PhD or a ThD (click on either link and scroll down to see the schools offering the degree).
Sydney College of Divinity
**You can study for a PhD or a ThD.
University of Divinity
**You choose one of their schools to study for a PhD or a ThD.
University of Notre Dame Australia
University of Western Australia
BELGIUM
Evangelische Theologische Faculteit
NETHERLANDS
Free University of Amsterdam
**You can earn a PhD from the Free University of Amsterdam through:
NEW ZEALAND
NORWAY
SOUTH AFRICA
South African Theological Seminary
**PhD areas have different departmental websites with information
UNITED KINGDOM
Canterbury Christ Church University
London Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Middlesex University
**You can earn a PhD from Middlesex University through:
*Studying through the Department of Continuing Education
**You can also earn a PhD from the University of Aberdeen through:
University of Dublin (Trinity College)
University of the Highlands & Islands
University of London (King's College London)
University of Manchester
**You can earn a PhD from the University of Manchester through:
**You can earn a ThD in Practical Theology
University of Wales Trinity Saint David