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Obtaining an Overseas PhD Without Moving Overseas

Writer: Caleb KaltenbachCaleb Kaltenbach

Updated: Nov 27, 2024


****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 ten 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 can access a major university library and 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 to 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



AUSTRALIA


Australian School of Theology

**Students choose one of their schools to study for a Ph.D.





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.

**Students can earn a Ph.D. or a Th.D.

**Students can study for a Th.D. at the following schools:



BELGIUM


**Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) awarded



BULGARIA



CANADA



CZECH REPUBLIC



FRANCE




IRELAND



University of Dublin (Trinity College)


**Students can earn a Ph.D. from the Union Theological College through:



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

**Doctor of Theology (Th.D.) awarded




NORWAY

**Students can earn a Ph.D. or a Dr.Philos (Doctor Philosophiae)


**Doctor Philosophiae (Dr.Philos) awarded



PHILLIPPINES



POLAND



THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE



SOUTH AFRICA



**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






**Students can earn a Ph.D. from Durham University through:


Liverpool Hope University

**Students can earn a Ph.D. from Liverpool Hope University through:




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 also earn a Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge through:













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







**Students can earn a Ph.D. from the York St. John University through:

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© 2025 by Caleb Kaltenbach

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