Caleb Kaltenbach
Obtaining an Overseas PhD Without Moving Overseas
Updated: May 19

****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 Ph.D. In the past, Ph.D. students would move nearby or live on-campus to undertake their studies. 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 most North American Ph.D. programs involve doctoral seminars before writing the dissertation, many overseas Ph.D. programs focus solely on writing the dissertation (commonly referred to as "dissertation only"). Since students have access to a major university library and can Zoom/FaceTime with their mentor professors once or twice a month, many overseas schools allow Ph.D. students to study in their home country. Such programs require either minimal or no travel before graduation.
Below are some overseas schools offering Ph.D.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 master's degree, where to earn a 100% online master's degree, and Ph.D. distance learning programs in the United States.
ASIA
Asia Graduate School of Theology
AUSTRALIA
Alphacrucis University College
Australian School of Theology
**Students choose one of their schools to study for a Ph.D. or a Th.D. (click on either link and scroll down to see the schools offering the degree).
Sydney College of Divinity
**Students can earn a Ph.D. or a Th.D.
University of Divinity
**Students choose one of their schools to study for a Ph.D.
University of Notre Dame Australia
**Students can earn a Ph.D. or a Th.D.
**Students can study for a Th.D. at the following schools:
University of Western Australia
BELGIUM
Evangelische Theologische Faculteit
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
**Th.D. award
BULGARIA
Sofia University- St. Kliment Ohridski
CANADA
CZECH REPUBLIC
University of New York in Prague
FRANCE
KENYA
NETHERLANDS
Free University of Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
**Students can earn a Ph.D. from the Free University of Amsterdam through:
NEW ZEALAND
NIGERIA
Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary
NORWAY
**Students can earn a Ph.D. or a Dr.Philos (Doctor Philosophiae)
Norwegian University of Science and Technology
**Dr.Philos award
PHILLIPPINES
Asia Pacific Theological Seminary
POLAND
SOUTH AFRICA
South African Theological Seminary
**Students can earn either a Th.D. or a Ph.D. in Theology
University of Pretoria **Students can earn a Ph.D. from the University of Pretoria through:
**Ph.D. areas have different departmental websites with information
SWEDEN
UNITED KINGDOM
Canterbury Christ Church University
**Students can earn a Ph.D. from Durham University through:
Liverpool Hope University
**Students can earn a Ph.D. from Liverpool Hope University through:
London Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University
Middlesex University
**Students can earn a Ph.D. from Middlesex University through:
*Studying through the Department of Continuing Education
**Students can also earn a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen through:
**Students can study for a Ph.D. from the faculty of Divinity with short trips to the campus.
**Students can also earn a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge through:
University of Dublin (Trinity College)
University of the Highlands & Islands
The University of Kent (apply as an external research student)
University of Leicester **Students can earn a Ph.D. or the equivalent DSocSci (Doctor of Social Science)
University of London (King's College London)
University of Manchester
**Students can earn a Ph.D. from the University of Manchester through:
**Students can earn a Th.D. in Practical Theology
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David