Catherine McConnachie Studentship for Women in Divinity 2026

Applications are invited for the Catherine McConnachie Studentship, open to women working within the areas of Divinity (Practical Theology, Theological Ethics, Systematic Theology, New Testament, Biblical Studies and Ancient Greek / Roman Religion). Applications are also welcomed from women in Divinity with interdisciplinary interests within the research areas of DHPA (School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History).

Candidates may study full-time or part-time, either on campus or by distance learning, in any area of Divinity, and may be of any nationality. Studentships will be awarded on the strength of candidates' overall profiles as presented in their PhD applications including academic and/or professional achievement, research proposal, and letters of reference.

The studentship consists of a fee waiver at home (UK) rates. If the recipient is a home (UK) student for fee purposes their fees will be waived. If the recipient is an international student for fee purposes, they will be responsible for paying the difference between home and international fees. Two studentships will be awarded each year with a start date of 1st October.

Catherine McConnachie was the first woman to be ordained as a minister in the Church of Scotland. She was a student of Christ’s College, Aberdeen, completing her BD in 1959. In 1969 she was ordained to be Assistant Minister in St George’s Tillydrone, near the University, where she remained until her retirement. She died in 1990. Named in her honour, this studentship is part of DHPA’s Athena Swan action plan, reflecting the School’s commitment to increasing the number of women in Divinity and supporting their career development.

The studentship consists of a fee waiver at home (UK) rates. If the recipient is a home (UK) student for fee purposes their fees will be waived. If the recipient is an international student for fee purposes, they will be responsible for paying the difference between home and international fees. Two studentships will be awarded each year with a start date of 1st October.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: 27 February 2026
2. Value: Fee waiver at UK (home) rate
3. Study Level: PhD
4. Sponsor: University of Aberdeen
5. Course to Study: Divinity (including Practical Theology, Theological Ethics, Systematic Theology, New Testament, Biblical Studies, Ancient Greek/Roman Religion + interdisciplinary areas in DHPA)
6. Eligible Country: All nationalities (women only)

Eligibility Criteria for Catherine McConnachie Studentship for Women in Divinity 2026

1. Applicants must be women.
2. Applicants must be new applicants to the PhD in Divinity.

Benefits of Catherine McConnachie Studentship for Women in Divinity 2026

Covers full home (UK) tuition fee rate. International students pay the difference between home and international fees. Two awards available each year. Study mode options include full-time/part-time and distance learning/campus.

How to Apply

1. Before applying, please contact a potential supervisor within the field you are interested in (more information about the various sub-disciplines and staff members, along with their areas of speciality, can be found here). This is an opportunity to discuss your research interests, whether the person you contact would be the best supervisory option, and how you intend to frame your research proposal.
2. Apply for the PhD in Divinity via the online application portal.
3. Under “Studentship Title” write “Catherine McConnachie Studentship”.
4. You must include a detailed research proposal (1000-1500 words) which sets out your anticipated research topic. Further guidance may be found here.
5. You will be considered on the basis of your PhD application materials. No additional documentation is required to be considered for the studentship.

For more details, visit University of Aberdeen Scholarship webpage

Application Deadline

February 27, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Catherine McConnachie Studentship for Women in Divinity 2026