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IBTS

Seek a better understanding of God and God’s ways

Our PhD Programme

IBTS is a collaborative partner with the School of Religion and Theology (SRT), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. IBTS offers two pathways into the Vrije Universiteit (VU) PhD programme, first through the Thesis Bridging Programme (TBP) or directly in the Post Graduate Research Certificate in Theology programme (PGCert).

Students will have both IBTS and VU supervisors on successfully progressing to the Graduate School of the VU-SRT.  In this way, IBTS seeks to provide an international baptistic context for study as researchers work towards an award of a state-accredited PhD degree with this major European university. For details of the Vrije Universiteit doctoral regulations within which IBTS works, you may download the document here.

IBTS welcomes a new intake of candidates every January for the PhD pathways offered in collaboration with our collaborative partner, VU.

Below you will find detailed information about all aspects of our PhD programme including how to apply. Finding the ‘right fit’ between a student’s research interests and an academic community is essential for satisfactorily completing a doctorate. For this reason, we strongly recommend a preliminary conversation for those thinking of applying to IBTS and we would welcome the opportunity to arrange an informal meeting – online or face-to-face. 

Why Research?

To carry out research in theology is to seek a better understanding of God and of God’s ways in the world that we might more fully participate in loving and serving others. Research resists the pressure to constant activism; it creates a space to reflect deeply on the things that matter most in the church and in society. Research facilitates meaningful conversation between people of different cultures and world views. As such research can be transformative, a way of enabling reconciliation and peaceable relations.

Why do PhD research at IBTS?

Academic Excellence

Our commitment to academic excellence and Collaborative Partnership with the School of Religion and Theology at the Vrije Universiteit (VU-SRT) means that doctorates are respected world-wide.

IBTS holds a Chair at VU-SRT in Christian Social Ethics with Prof. David Gushee. It also supports the McClendon Chair. These involvements provide a unique opportunity for those wishing to carry out research in baptistic theologies and Christian ethics.

High Quality Support

Our doctoral programme is widely recognised as a well-structured approach offering high quality support throughout the PhD journey.

The Thesis Bridging Programme and/or the Post Graduate Research Certificate in Theology provides a strong start to the doctoral journey laying a sound basis in methodology and overall shape of the research project

Baptist and Anabaptist Approach

We focus on a Baptist and Anabaptist way of doing theology. At heart this means that theological enquiry is grounded in the faith community, including in its convictions, practices and historical traditions.

International Community

There is value in being part of an international cohort participating together in the research colloquium and online seminars. Research students find that this stimulates creativity, provides significant mutual support, deepens spirituality, and often leads to long-term fellowship and cooperation.

Doing theology in an international and cross-cultural setting provides a unique learning opportunity which significantly enhances the quality of research and the personal experience of all involved.

Opportunities for presenting and publishing research

The annual research colloquium and conferences are key opportunities for presenting research in an academically rigorous but supportive environment.

Research students are actively encouraged to present papers throughout the course of their doctorate and publication opportunities are available through the IBTS journal, The Journal of European Baptist Studies.

Based in your own country

Research students remain in their own ministry context enabling them to continue in ministry and ground their research in their own local setting. They attend the annual research colloquium as well as having online supervision and support. In this sense the programme follows a ‘split-site’ or hybrid mode of delivery.

Support for long-term academic development

The PhD programme is integrated into the IBTS Research Community to encourage and support researchers in post-doctoral studies and longer-term academic careers.

Outstanding resources

Researchers have access to outstanding library facilities including the Digital Theological Library (exclusive access to IBTS students) and the John Smyth Library. Inter Library loans can be arranged where needed. You need not be present in Amsterdam to make use of the library. They will have expert support from the IBTS librarian.

Learning in Community, Researching with Purpose

Our PhD pathways

Pathway 1: Post Graduate Research Certificate in Theology (PGCert)

Pathway 1: Post Graduate Research Certificate in Theology (PGCert)

PhD studies at the Centre begin with the IBTS one year Post Graduate Research Certificate in Theology (PGCert), followed by a proposal writing course. The Certificate programme allows participants to demonstrate their capacity in terms of quality and quantity of work and to develop their areas of research interest. During this first year, applicants have their abilities to do PhD research tested, their skills developed, their project focused, their ideas and work advanced and they are supported in producing a PhD proposal which, if successful, will lead to them registering in the VU School of Religion and Theology Graduate School with IBTS and VU supervisors in place. Progression through the PhD programme and requirements to proceed beyond the PGCert are outlined in the ‘Research Journey’ section of the Research Handbook. There are two mandatory parts to the PGCert programme – the Induction Week and the online line seminars as outlined below.
 
Please note, however, that becoming a student of IBTS does not guarantee formal acceptance onto the Vrije Universiteit doctoral programme, as this depends upon the satisfactory production of work and the development of an acceptable proposal with a supervisory team in place.

If, due to lack of progress, failure to meet satisfactory academic standards or to achieve a developed proposal, a student is not successfully registered in the Graduate School, they will not be able to remain on the PhD programme. Once registered, all students have their progress reviewed annually and continuation on the programme is subject to satisfactory progress.

Induction Week and Online Seminars:

All students are required to attend an initial Induction Week followed by the annual IBTS Colloquium which takes place in January each year.  This offers the opportunity to meet the new cohort of research students as well getting to know the wider IBTS Research Community. The Induction Week serves as an introduction to the three modules of the Certificate programme, the balance of which will be delivered by online seminars throughout the rest of the year. Full details are in the Research Handbook.

The dates for the induction week in 2026 are Monday 19 January - Friday 23 January.

Please also note that the online seminars are mandatory, are held on the Zoom platform and take place on selected dates during the year (usually a Monday or Wednesday) between 15:00 and 18:00 Amsterdam time (CET). Please be sure you can arrange to participate in these seminars. Actual dates will be confirmed prior to the start of the programme.

Attendance at the IBTS Annual Colloquium:

In addition to the Certificate Induction Week, all new students are expected to attend the annual IBTS Research Colloquium and participate in IBTS online seminars throughout the year. Attendance at the annual Colloquium is a requirement for all research students throughout their studies. The annual colloquium in 2026 will run from Monday 26 – Friday 30 January. As this is the only formal attendance requirement, potential applicants should consider whether or not they can meet this annual commitment, as we consider it an essential component of the PhD programme.

The Colloquium and online seminars allow participants to receive feedback on their proposals and the development of their work and to contribute to the IBTS research community.

Pathway 2: Thesis Bridging Programme (TBP)

For applicants who require supplementary master’s level qualifications to meet entry requirements of the VU, the one-year online TBP is offered prior to starting the PGCert year. Complete applications are processed by the Academic Oversight Committee and applicants are informed of the pathway that applies to them.

Entry requirements:

Applicants will normally be required to hold a master’s degree in theology (MTh, MPhil, ThM) from an accredited institution in an Anglo-American context or a two-year Bologna type academic master’s degree from an accredited Continental European University. Those accepted who do not hold a master’s in theology may be required to do additional reading or auditing of modules in theology.

Applicants with other master’s qualification such as MDiv and other master’s programmes that lack a thesis and research elements, would follow the TBP programme first. This will add an additional year to your studies.

Fees and Costs for 2026 enrolments:

€300: All successful applications have a one-off administration fee payable at the point of acceptance. Please note that your place on the programme will not be confirmed until this fee has been paid.
€2000: The cost for the Thesis Bridging programme
€4500: The cost for the Post Graduate Certificate programme
€1650: Annual fee following PGCert and will increase year on year by the annual rate of inflation in the Netherlands.

€1500: of your tuition fee is required to be paid at the commencement of the programme. The remainder can be paid in instalments but should be paid by the end of the first year of studies. A payment plan can be discussed with the Director/Administrator at IBTS but must be agreed in advance of the starting of the programme.

Once IBTS has successfully registered a student with the Graduate School of the Vrije Universiteit following the completion of the Post Graduate Certificate, the student will not be required to pay tuition fees to the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Students are responsible for their own travel, accommodation, insurance, food, and living costs while attending intensive teaching periods, Colloquia and any additional activities.

IBTS Supervision

A part-time student can normally expect, if required, up to 30 hours of supervision a year from their primary IBTS supervisor (in addition to the face-to-face supervision given at the annual Colloquium).
Supervisors will concentrate on the substance of work and, while they may make some comments regarding English language issues and the quality of the text, students should seek such proof-reading help privately. IBTS may be able to recommend suitable proof-readers if required.

At a public defence of the thesis, it is possible for your IBTS supervisor to be present online. Should the VU require their presence in person, the student will be expected to pay the transport (within Europe) and overnight accommodation costs for their IBTS primary supervisor to attend. Students will be responsible for any other student costs required by the VU.

Admission Criteria

Academic competency

Evidenced by previous undergraduate and post graduate awards as required and approved by the Vrije Universiteit.

Competency in English

If English is not the first language, evidence of proficiency will be required.

Please note the following requirement as specified by the VU:

1. Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in written and spoken English. This will be determined on the basis of an English test that is accepted by VU. The proficiency requirement can be met by the successful completion of one of the following examinations: IELTS: 6.5; TOEFL (paper based test: 580; computer based test: 237; internet based test: 92-93; Cambridge Advanced English: A, B or C.

Exemption from the examination is granted to candidates who:

- Within two years after acceptance to the Graduate School FRT VU have successfully completed one of the English examinations mentioned above, with at least the scores specified above. Two years after acceptance to the Graduate School FRT VU, the English requirement will be checked by the Graduate School FRT VU through Hora Finita.
- Have had previous education in secondary or tertiary education in an English-speaking country (Canada, USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand).
- Have an English-language ‘international baccalaureate’ diploma.
- Have a diploma from a Bachelor or Master’s degree programme which has been accredited by the NVAO in the Netherlands.

Research interest

Must fit within the IBTS' research profile of identity, mission and practice.

Capacity to finance the research

There must be some credible evidence of financial means or means of support.

Active in ministry

IBTS will give priority to those actively involved in Baptist ministry or other forms of ministry (e.g. mission, theological education, leadership).

Gender balance

IBTS wishes to encourage more women to engage in theological research

Ministry context

Priority will be given in the following order to applicants from outside EBF member Unions.

Members of our partner support agencies.

Applicants from other ministry contexts.

Study commitment

Must be able to show a work/study balance that creates a reasonable possibility of completing the PhD in 6-7 years part-time.

Research community

Must be willing to continue to engage post-graduation in the life of the Centre’s research community.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the application available for download on the website. The number of places available may vary annually.

Applications submitted after 30 June will only be considered if there are still places on the programme. Applicants will be notified of the panel’s decision as soon as practically possible.

For the application process, photocopied records of academic awards are acceptable, but actual validated documents will be required at the point of commencement.

Applicants should include a colour photograph at the point of application.

Please note that as IBTS offers a part-time, non-residential programme, we are not able to assist with residential visa applications. Letters of invitation can be provided for the Induction week or Colloquium, however, success with VISA applications cannot be guaranteed by IBTS.

If an applicant is offered a place and defers by agreement with the Director, their acceptance will become subject to any fee and policy regulations in operation at the time when they commence.

Download the form and APPLY NOW via the link.

I see theological research as an intellectual endeavour of the heart; it emerges from our questions and yearnings about God, the world and ourselves. By attention to specific enquiries, we seek meaning that enriches particular contexts and also contributes to a boarder remit. Hence, research is enhanced when carried out in community, where work is rigorously scrutinised and challenged, and researchers are generously encouraged and supported. IBTS is one such space of learning, with our students, drawn internationally, undertaking innovative and imaginative research around the globe, with passion for the histories, theologies, communities, churches and countries which they inhabit.

Dr Fran Porter
Chair of IBTS Academic Oversight Committee

There was a familiar Low German phrase in Mennonite communities which captured some of their perspectives on higher education: je jelieda, je fechieda (roughly translated: the more educated, the more perverted). As an academic and theologian, I struggled to come to terms with my own passion for learning, research and theology in light of a faith community that was somewhat suspicious of higher learning. Afterall, the interpretation of Scripture and theological discernment doesn’t simply belong to the “experts,” the academics, but it belongs to the whole church. So why pursue further theological education? Honestly, I’ve never thought that my theological training somehow makes me “better” than the saints in my congregation. But the gift rigorous theological engagement has provided me with countless opportunities to engage the intricate beauty of the Christian faith and practice. Careful attention to the complex details of a text or a community’s life, has brought me again and again brought me into wonder and awe. For this I am grateful.

Prof. Irma Fast Dueck
Associate Professor of Practical Theology at Canadian Mennonite University, Winnipeg

The greatest challenges we face, both in the church and in the world, require serious engagement in theological research. Without it, we often end up jumping from one short-term solution to another, lacking memory, depth, and imagination that is borne of disciplined wrestling with theological ideas. That’s why it’s so exciting to see the kinds of questions our research students are tackling.

Rev Dr Lina Toth (Andronoviene) SFHEA
Assistant Principal & Lecturer in Practical Theology, Scottish Baptist College