PhD Religious Studies at University of Virginia

Programme overview

Non-sectarian, humanities-based programme covering diverse religious traditions, regions and methods, with flexible MA pathways and specialized PhD research fields.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Department: Religious Studies | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Historical, philological, philosophical, theological, ethnographic and literary approaches to the study of religions, including comparative and cross-cultural study.

Career pathways

University professor or researcher, nonprofit or NGO work, public-sector roles, higher-education administration, writer or editor.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (all programmes): online application with a 500-1,000 word statement of purpose, unofficial transcripts of all postsecondary work, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation (programmes may require more), and an $85 non-refundable application fee. International applicants whose undergraduate degree was not earned entirely in English submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores: TOEFL iBT 90 overall (22 speaking, 22 writing, 23 reading, 23 listening) for tests taken before 1/21/26, IELTS 7.0 in each section, Duolingo 130 overall; committees may still consider scores below these minimums. GRE is not required for this programme. PhD application deadline: December 15.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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