Tom Cruise is studying to become a co-leader of his sci-fi cult religion

Los Angeles - Tom Cruise is studying to be "co-leader" of Scientology.

The 52-year-old actor has long been a prominent member of the sci-fi cult and has been working hard to reach the next level of leadership in the religion that will bring him to the same level as his best friend, leader David Miscavige.

A source said: "He's been wearing his Freedom Medal of Valour (awarded for services to Scientology) and went to a special ceremony in his honour in London last month.

"He's been studying to become an Operating Thetan level VIII which is the highest rung of the ladder in Scientology.

"Once Tom has confirmed to have reached that status, he will be on the same level as Miscavige and basically co-leader of the whole religion."

Since splitting from wife Katie Holmes - the mother of his eight-year-old daughter Suri - in 2012, the Mission: Impossible star is said to have turned his home into a "Scientology retreat".

The source told Grazia magazine: "Since Katie left, he has turned his house into a Scientology retreat.

"There are Scientology symbols in the windows and it features the religion's trademark light-blue colour scheme.

"He lives there with his sister Cass, her two sons Liam and Aiden and her third husband Greg Capazorio, who is head of Criminon, Scientology's programme for rehabilitating convicted criminals."