Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries in Catholic Studies / Catholic Theology 

The information below is about postgraduate scholarships and bursaries provided by the Centre for Catholic Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion.

Details of other scholarship and bursary schemes that might be applicable can be found here.

CCS Scholarships for candidates for the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies), MA by Research, M.Litt, DThM, Integrated PhD, or PhD

The information below can also be downloaded as a pdf.

Eligibility 

Only candidates within, or applying to, the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University for:

MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) (V8K607)

OR

MA by Research, M.Litt, DThM¹, Integrated PhD², PhD

each with a clear focus in Catholic Studies / Catholic Theology are eligible to apply.³

Please note: All applicants must be able to commit to regular in-person participation in the academic programme of the CCS during the period of any award. [See note (e) below.]

Introduction 

The CCS at Durham University invites applications from full-time and part-time candidates (both existing students and new candidates) for fixed-term Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies as listed below. 

A completed Scholarships and Bursaries Form for 2024/25 and Scholarships and Bursaries Reference Form for 2024/25 must be returned to the CCS Senior Administrator, theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk, by the deadline given below.  

Before submitting an application, applicants who are new candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion must complete and submit a standard Durham University application for postgraduate admission online (citing ‘CCS Scholarship’ in the Field of Study area and in the Finance/funding section). Applicants must have been formally offered a place on an eligible course of study before their application for a CCS Scholarship/Bursary can be considered. The advised deadlines for completing the online programme application with all supporting documents are given below. For details on how to apply see Taught degrees or Research degrees as appropriate. 

Please read the notes below carefully before submitting your application for a CCS Scholarship/Bursary.

Only candidates within, or applying to, the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University for:

MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) (V8K607)

OR

MA by Research, M.Litt, DThM[1], Integrated PhD[2], PhD

each with a clear focus in Catholic Studies / Catholic Theology are eligible to apply [3]

(For information about bursaries for the Distance Learning programmes please see below or contact theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk )

The CCS at Durham University invites applications from full-time and part-time candidates (both existing students and new candidates) for fixed-term Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies as listed below.

Please note: All applicants must be able to commit to regular in-person participation in the academic programme of the CCS during the period of any award. [See note (e) below.]

An application form may be obtained from the CCS Senior Administrator, theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk, or downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/ccs-scholarships-2024-2025 and must be returned to the CCS Senior Administrator by the deadline given below. (Please note different deadlines for different awards.)

Before submitting an application, applicants who are new candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion must complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission on-line (citing ‘CCS Scholarship’ in the Field of Study area and in the Finance/funding section). Applicants must have been formally offered a place on an eligible course of study before their application for a CCS Scholarship/Bursary can be considered. The advised deadlines for completing the online programme application with all supporting documents are given below. (For details on how to apply see Application Process - Durham University)

Please read the notes below carefully before submitting your application for a CCS Scholarship/Bursary.

THE AWARDS FOR 2024-25

Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) Bicentenary Scholarship Fund

Religious of Christian Education (RCE) Louis Lafosse PhD Scholarship

The Catherine McAuley Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

The Jesuits in Britain Durham Rutilio Grande MA Bursary

The St Jude Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

Notes on Scholarships

CCS Bursary for Distance Learning 2024-25

THE FAITHFUL COMPANIONS OF JESUS BICENTENARY SCHOLARSHIP FUND

(Masters awards: one-year full-time or two-years part-time (pro rata).  Other awards: up to three-years full-time or six-years part-time (pro rata). All subject to satisfactory academic progress.)

In association with the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) up to FIVE full UK/Home level tuition fee scholarships each with a maintenance grant of up to the UKRI level of £19,595 (pro rata)  are to be awarded on a competitive basis to eligible postgraduate candidates in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. 

Applications are invited from full-time and part-time candidates who are able to share regularly in person in the academic programme of the CCS. Particular but not exclusive consideration will be given to female applicants from the North East of England (resident in one of the following North East postal regions: CA, DH, DL, NE, SR or TS), studying either the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies), or an eligible Research Degree in one of two broad research areas aligned to the FCJ Chapter Calls:

• Compassionate Action
• Care for Our Common Home

In all cases, alongside academic excellence and potential, consideration will also be given to the applicant’s financial need. 

THE RELIGIOUS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION LOUIS LAFOSSE PhD SCHOLARSHIPS

(three-year full-time or six years part-time (pro rata), subject to satisfactory academic progress)

In association with the Sisters of the Religious of Christian Education (RCE) ONE three-year PhD scholarship with full UK/Home level tuition fees and a maintenance allowance is to be awarded on a competitive basis to one PhD candidates (in receipt of a formal offer) in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion.  Applications are invited from full-time and part-time candidates who are able to share regularly in person in the life, work and events of the CCS. Tuition fees will be met in full at the UK/Home rate and an annual maintenance grant of up to £13,850 (pro rata) will be made.

In all cases, alongside academic excellence and potential, consideration will also be given to personal financial circumstances.

Normally only applications from new students will be considered for the Louis Lafosse Scholarships.  Only in cases of particular excellence and financial need will applications from current students be considered.

DEADLINES for FCJ and LOUIS LAFOSSE Scholarship Applications

Before applying for a FCJ Scholarship or a Louis Lafosse PhD Scholarship, new candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion must complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 28 January 2024.

Closing date for applications for the FCJ and Louis Lafosse Scholarships is Sunday 18 February 2024.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR 2024-25:

THE CATHERINE McAULEY POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

(one-year, renewable)

In association with the Institute of Our Lady of Mercy (http://www.ourladyofmercy.org.uk/) donated funds up to a total of £16,000 may be awarded on a competitive basis to full-time or part-time postgraduate candidates (both existing students and new candidates) in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion and who are able to share regularly in-person in the academic programme of the CCS. These funds may be awarded as full or partial support towards tuition fees.  The total amount of £16,000 need not be awarded in a given year and may be split between candidates.

The CCS encourages applications to the Catherine McAuley Postgraduate Scholarship Fund from all areas of Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies, including the area of Catholic social thought and practice.

Alongside academic excellence and potential, consideration will also be given to the applicant’s financial need.

THE ST JUDE POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

(one-year, renewable)

In association with an individual benefactor who has received many graces and favours through the intercession of St Jude, donated funds up to a total of £8,000 may be awarded on a competitive basis to full-time or part-time postgraduate candidates in Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion (both existing students and new candidates in receipt of formal offers) and who are able to share regularly in-person in the academic programme of the CCS. These funds may be awarded as a combination of one or more fixed-term Postgraduate Scholarships (full fees) and/or one or more fixed-term Postgraduate Bursaries (partial help towards fees). The total amount of £8,000 need not be awarded in a given year and may be split between candidates.

Alongside academic excellence and potential, consideration will also be given to personal financial circumstances.

DEADLINES for Catherine McAuley, Rutilio Grande, and St Jude Scholarship Applications

Before applying for a Catherine McAuley Scholarship, the Durham Rutilio Grande Bursary, or a St Jude Scholarship, new candidates for a postgraduate degree within the Department of Theology and Religion must complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission with all supporting documents by Sunday 5 May 2024.

Closing date for applications for CCS Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries for 2024/25 (except the FCJ and Louis Lafosse Scholarships) is Sunday 26 May 2024.

More than one award may be made from each of the above funds in a given year.

Applicants may also be considered for other awards that become available.

In all cases, applicants are required to state their financial position and to update the CCS Senior Administrator of any changes to their financial situation after submitting their application and during the period of any award.

The CCS is offering a separate Bursary Fund specifically for the Distance Learning programmes in Catholic Theology (V8K807 / V8K812 / V8K814).  Details can be found at Funding - Durham University or obtained from theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

Please see below for the Notes on Scholarships.

THE JESUITS IN BRITAIN DURHAM RUTILIO GRANDE MA BURSARY

(one-year full-time or two-years part-time (pro rata) subject to satisfactory academic progress.)

The Durham Rutilio Grande Bursary is funded by the Jesuits in Britain who have made £5,000 available for 2024-25 for award to ONE successful applicant towards tuition fees for the one-year full-time, or two-years part-time (pro rata), MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) or the MA by Research.  The successful applicant is expected to share regularly in-person in the academic programme of the CCS. 

Applicants must be from England, Scotland, or Wales, and have expressed an interest in pastoral renewal and/or parish revival in the Catholic Church in Britain.

Alongside academic excellence and potential, applicants must also be able to demonstrate financial need.

THE NOTES

Before applying, applicants for CCS Postgraduate Scholarships and Bursaries must be aware of the following points:

a. To be eligible for consideration, the applicant will be registered in, or applying to, the Department of Theology and Religion[1] at Durham University, and the applicant’s research topic will be in the area of Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies. The following areas of Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies will be considered:

• Constructive Catholic Theology;
• Catholic Historical Theology;
• Interpretation of Scripture in Catholic Tradition;
• Catholic Social Thought and Practice;
• The History of Catholicism;
• Lived Catholicism;
• Social-Scientific study of Catholicism;
• Franciscan Studies.

If you are unsure whether your area of research would be considered, please do get in touch.

b. It is important that new candidates for postgraduate programmes in the Department of Theology and Religion complete their online programme application by the deadlines given above as CCS Scholarship/Bursary applicants must have been formally offered a place on an eligible programme of study before their application for a CCS Scholarship/Bursary can be considered.

c. Eligible current Department of Theology and Religion students who have not previously been in receipt of a CCS Scholarship or Bursary may apply for 2024-25. It is expected that these applicants will have regularly participated in CCS seminars and events during their registration in the Department of Theology and Religion.

d. All tuition fee only scholarships and bursaries will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance.

e. Receipt of any CCS Scholarship or Bursary implies that recipients will share regularly in-person in the academic programme of the CCS through participation in such things as: the thrice-termly Catholic Theology Research Seminar (CTRS), CCS Staff-Student Research Conversations, the annual Bishop Dunn Memorial Lecture, the CCS Friends’ and Benefactors’ events, the Early Career and Postgraduate Conference, and other such events organised by the CCS for the CCS community. Where appropriate and where compatible with students’ other academic commitments, students may be asked to participate in the planning and delivery of such activities.

f. Following application and during the period of any award, receipt of any other scholarship, bursary, or financial assistance towards the cost of tuition fees and/or associated living costs must be declared to the CCS Senior Administrator and may lead to a reduction in (and in extreme circumstances total cancellation of) the level of the scholarship/bursary award. Failure to declare any such additional assistance will automatically carry the penalty of total cancellation of any CCS Scholarship/Bursary award. 

g. With the exception of the FCJ and Louis Lafosse Scholarships, due to the limited funding available, support cannot be given towards maintenance costs, just help towards tuition fees.

h. Priority will be given to applicants who are pursuing a research topic in the area of Catholic Theology / Catholic Studies, who demonstrate financial need, and who can demonstrate their ability to meet their own maintenance costs (with the exception of the FCJ and Louise Lafosse Scholarships) and any shortfall in tuition fees.

i. With the exception of the FCJ and Louis Lafosse Scholarships, awards are made for one full academic year and do not imply commitment to renewal for future years of study.

j. That said, priority will be given, where possible, to students who have already been in receipt of a CCS Scholarship or Bursary during the previous academic year and who have at least one further year of study to pursue. Further awards are subject both to sufficient funds being available and to a satisfactory progress report being received from the student’s primary supervisor prior to the meeting of the CCS Scholarships Committee in June.

Please direct any queries to: Mrs Theresa Phillips, CCS Senior Administrator, Department of Theology and Religion - +44 (0) 191 334 3952 or theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

durham.ac.uk/theology.religion      centreforcatholicstudies.co.uk

[1] See footnote #3

[1]Applications from students on the DThM programme are only invited after the first taught phase of the programme.

[2] First year IPhD students who are undertaking the Catholic Studies pathway of the MA may apply.  Other students are only eligible to apply after the taught MA phase.

[3] In exceptional circumstances, a PhD candidate’s primary supervisor may be located in another academic department at Durham University other than the Department of Theology and Religion.  However, at Masters level (including the first year of any proposed I-PhD) candidates must be pursing the MA in Christian Theology (Catholic Studies) (V8K607) within the Department of Theology and Religion to be eligible to apply.

CCS Distance Learning Bursary Fund for 2024-25

This information can be downloaded as a pdf.

Only candidates applying to Durham University for the:

PG Certificate (V8K814), PG Diploma (V8K812), MA (V8K807)

in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning

are eligible to apply [1]

Please note: All bursaries are towards tuition fees for the Distance Learning programmes in Catholic Theology only and will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance.

An application form may be obtained from the CCS Senior Administrator theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk, or downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/ccs-distance-2024-2025 and must be returned to the CCS Senior Administrator by the deadline given below.

Before submitting an application, applicants must complete a standard DU application for postgraduate admission on-line (citing ‘CCS Scholarship’ in the Field of Study area and in the Finance/funding section). Applicants must have been formally offered a place on their chosen programme in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning before their application to the CCS Bursary Fund can be considered. The advised deadline for completing the online programme application with all supporting documents is given below. (For details on how to apply see Application Process - Durham University)

CCS DISTANCE LEARNING BURSARY FUND  

(one-year, renewable)

The CCS at Durham University invites applications from full-time and part-time candidates for fixed-term bursaries for the MA / PG Diploma / PG Certificate in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning.

The limited bursary funds available will be awarded on a competitive basis as partial support towards tuition fees. The total amount need not be awarded in a given year and may be split between candidates.

All bursaries will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance and potential

Successful applicants need to be willing to contribute to the Centre for Catholic Studies as requested, specifically to help encourage awareness of the Distance Learning programme, and to help nurture donor support for the CCS Bursary Fund. This might involve making a modest video, or writing up a short article about their studies.

In all cases, applicants are required to state their financial position and to update the CCS Senior Administrator of any changes to their financial situation after submitting their application and during the period of any award.

Before applying to the CCS Bursary Fund applicants must complete a standard DU application for the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning with all supporting documents by Sunday 5 May 2024.

Closing date for applications to the CCS Bursary Fund for 2024/25 is Sunday 26 May 2024.

THE NOTES

Please read the notes below carefully before submitting your application to the CCS Bursary Fund.

1. To be eligible for consideration, the applicant will be registered for either the MA in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K807), or the PG Diploma in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K812), or the PG Certificate in Catholic Theology by Distance Learning (V8K814).
2. It is important that applicants complete their online programme application by the deadlines given above as applicants to the CCS Bursary Fund must have been formally offered a place on a Catholic Theology by Distance Learning programme (V8K807, V8K812 or V8K814) before their application to the CCS Bursary Fund can be considered.
3. All tuition fee-only bursaries will be awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need, coupled with excellent academic performance. The applicant’s household income should be below £42,875 as determined by Student Finance England.
4. Receipt of any bursary from the CCS Bursary Fund implies that recipients will be willing to contribute to the Centre for Catholic Studies as requested, specifically to help encourage awareness of the Distance Learning programme, and to help nurture donor support for the CCS Bursary Fund. This might involve making a modest video, or writing up a short article about their studies.
5. Following application and during the period of any award, receipt of any other scholarship, bursary, or financial assistance towards the cost of tuition fees and/or associated living costs must be declared to the CCS Senior Administrator and may lead to a reduction in (and in extreme circumstances total cancellation of) the level of the bursary award. Failure to declare any such additional assistance will automatically carry the penalty of total cancellation of any CCS bursary award. 
6. Due to the limited funding available, support cannot be given towards maintenance costs, just partial assistance towards tuition fees.
7. Awards are made for one full academic year and do not imply commitment to renewal for future years of study.
8. That said, priority will be given, where possible, to students who have already been in receipt of a bursary from the CCS Bursary Fund during the previous academic year and who have at least one further year of study to pursue. Further awards are subject both to sufficient funds being available and to a satisfactory progress report being received from the Course Director prior to the meeting of the CCS Scholarships Committee.

Please direct any queries to: Mrs Theresa Phillips, CCS Senior Administrator, Department of Theology and Religion - +44 (0) 191 334 3952 or theresa.phillips@durham.ac.uk

durham.ac.uk/theology.religion      centreforcatholicstudies.co.uk

[1] Further eligibility criteria are contained in the following notes.