Masters Degrees (Religious Studies)

Research profile

The interests of staff in religious studies include Islam, contemporary Judaism, indigenous religions (Africa and the Arctic), south Asian and south-east Asian traditions, and new age religions. The methodologies supported include phenomenology, anthropology and cultural studies.

There is a regular religious studies research seminar, for both students and staff, to which postgraduates regularly contribute work-in-progress papers, and at which research students, staff, and visiting academics present special lectures.

The School of Divinity is home to a thriving research community. All of our academic staff are engaged in individual research and writing projects and many are also involved in collaborative projects with colleagues across the globe.

The School of Divinity has consistently scored exceptionally highly in the Research Assessment Exercise, the most recent assessment putting us among the best schools in theology, philosophical theology and religious studies in the UK.

Our researchers currently boast the highest percentage of 4* scores (world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour) of any Scottish university in theology and religious studies.

We have the largest number of divinity research-active staff in Scotland, and the third largest in the UK. Overall, the RAE ranked us third in the UK with 60 per cent of our research activity judged internationally excellent or world-leading.

Training and support

Our community comprises 450 students (undergraduate and postgraduate) and nearly 30 full-time academic staff, including internationally respected scholars in a wide range of specialisms.

We welcome students from around the world, from religious and non-religious backgrounds, taking pride in our status as a renowned research centre in a broad spectrum of subject areas.

We take a personal interest in our students and offer a welcoming and friendly setting in which to pursue the exciting and demanding study of theology and religious studies.

The large graduate school and the presence of visiting academics from around the world help ensure a diverse and stimulating research environment.

All research students are assigned a primary and secondary supervisor. You are offered a training course in research methods, and are given conscientious supervision from your first weeks through to submission of your thesis.

There are also special orientation events for international students.

Facilities

As a postgraduate researcher you can draw on the outstanding library resources of New College, the University of Edinburgh and the nearby National Library of Scotland.

New College Library has one of the largest theology collections in the UK, with more than a quarter of a million items and a large and rich manuscript collection, including the papers of Thomas Chalmers, John Baillie, JH Oldham and James S Stewart.

The strengths of the Library collections contribute greatly to the teaching and research of members of the School as well as students elsewhere in the University.

These collections are complemented by the many resources available in the University and beyond. The total holdings in all the University libraries exceed 2.25 million volumes. In addition, the National Library of Scotland holds more than five million volumes.

The New College Library boasts a magnificent reading hall, originally built as the sanctuary of the Free High Kirk.

The School provides extensive and well-equipped computing facilities for coursework and research at all levels, including dissertations. We provide all students with access to PCs, scanners and printers, across four labs.

Research opportunities

We offer two types of research-based masters degree, as well as PhD programmes.

Masters by Research (MSc by Research/MTh by Research)

These one-year masters degrees by research are designed for students with an academic training in divinity or religious studies (or other relevant subject) who wish to focus on a particular topic.

The programme may be taken as either a Master of Theology by Research or a Master of Science by Research. The difference is one of nomenclature only.

Both involve research training and orientation courses, after which you may either research and submit a dissertation of about 30,000 words, which comprises the remaining assessment for the degree, or write three supervised research essays to provide appropriate background and preparatory study for the topic of your research, and then submit a dissertation of about 15,000 words.

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Religion and culture form a challenging field of interdisciplinary study. This Research Master's offers you a thorough training in the sub disciplines of theology and religious studies.

The programme is a mix of a compulsory foundation and an individual route in which you can specialize further in terms of both content and methodology. In the core modules, you learn to define your own position as a junior researcher. We offer you an unique approach to the study of religion. Pluralism, for example, is an important characteristic of all our research. In the study of the three monotheistic religions, considerable attention is paid to alternative movements. We research how religion is embedded in culture. The global and diachronic perspective of our research is also represented. It is important to conduct research not only from Western and modern perspectives, but also from other cultural and historical ones.

The individual route comprises three elements: electives , research traineeships, and writing a thesis and a research proposal. The electives are designed to equip you with in-depth knowledge of specialized subjects, together with subject-specific skills and methodological knowledge. The final specialization occurs in the Research Master's thesis, which forms the basis of a PhD thesis proposal or an application for research funding.

The programme is offered in English.

Degree: MA in Theology & Religious Studies (research)

Why in Groningen?

• The strongest theological and religious studies degree programme in the Netherlands
• Best Research Master's programme in the Humanities in The Netherlands
• Top 100 university
• Taught by leading experts with a world-class reputation
• A highly stimulating learning environment
• Students can follow their own research interests
• Focus on the dynamic relationships between religion, culture and society

Job perspectives

A degree in Theology and Religious Studies (research) provides a perfect background for:
- admission to PhD programmes at national and international institutes and universities;
- positions outside academia for which academic research skills are required;
- positions as civil servant, advisor or policymaker with local and national government;
- teaching positions.

Job examples

• PhD position
• Independent scholar
• Secondary education teacher
• Civil servant or policy advisor at national or local government
• Position in publishing

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Supervision in Theology can be offered in areas such as Biblical studies; Patristics; Church History; History and Interpretation of Christian doctrine; Systematics/Constructive Theology; Modern Theology and Philosophy, Theology and Sexuality; Theology and Theatre/Performance Studies, Political Theology and Black Theology.

Supervision in Religious Studies can be offered in areas such as Comparative Religious Studies; Jewish Studies; Jewish-Christian dialogue; Hindu Studies; Buddhist Studies; Tibetan Studies; Religion and Visual Culture; Religion and Literature; Philosophy of Religion; Religion and Social Theory; Religion, Gender and Sexuality; Religion and Postmodernity.

Visit the website: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/theology-and-religious-studies-by-research.aspx

Course detail

You should discuss your initial ideas for a MA by research topic with a suitable supervisor from the programme team in the area of your study. If you are unsure, please contact Dr Maria Diemling, the Subject Lead in Theology and Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, who will be able to advise you whom to contact.

Your research topic may develop from a recent undergraduate encounter with a particular aspect of Theology or Religion, Philosophy and Ethics or you may be returning to education looking for a structured environment in which to formally pursue an established passion.

Please note that while students can build up on their BA research dissertation, they will not be allowed to submit identical material again under the current QAA policies.

Suitability

Are you fascinated by religions and their role in shaping our diverse, globalised, and multicultural world? Are you drawn to thinking about God, or relish the prospect of understanding how people of faith have instilled life with religious meaning? Are you concerned about questions of ethics, society, and justice in modern life? Do you value open-minded, independent and critical thinking? If so, you will enjoy studying the Theology and Religious Studies MA by Research.

Format

The teaching team at Canterbury Christ Church provide an excellent student experience in Theology and Religious Studies. They are passionate about their subject, and encourage students to share their enthusiasm and excitement. Drawing on academic expertise in major areas of Judaism and Christian Theology, as well as Indian and Chinese Philosophies, the team can offer supervision in an exciting and broad range of topics, including studies in world religions, the history and interpretation of religious thought, and the study of critical challenges in the contemporary world.

Assessment

Students will write a research thesis on their chosen topic. For an MA by Research students will need to demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of their own academic discipline.

The length of the Masters by Research thesis excluding bibliography and appendices, but including footnotes, is 25,000-30,000 words.

The MA by research will be assessed by dissertation. The examination will be done by an internal and an external examiner and might include a viva voce examination.

What can I do next?

This programme is a significant qualification in its own right but could also fast-track you, if you're successful, to MPhil and ultimately to PhD qualifications.

The research and writing skills you'll gain, together with the specialist disciplinary knowledge developed during the course, will enhance your employability and can provide an invaluable grounding for careers in teaching, media and journalism, publishing and marketing.

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please follow this link: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/how-to-apply/how-to-apply.aspx

Funding

-Masters Loans-

From 2016/17 government loans of up to £10,000 are available for postgraduate Masters study. The loans will be paid directly to students by the Student Loans Company and will be subject to both personal and course eligibility criteria.

For more information available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/funding-your-postgraduate-degree.aspx

-2017/18 Entry Financial Support-

Information on alternative funding sources is available here: https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/funding-your-degree/2017-18-entry-financial-support.aspx

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This graduate diploma is designed to ease the transition from another area of study. It may be used as a qualifying programme for study at MA level. This programme offers a flexible structure with the option to select modules from Theology, Religion in the Contemporary World and Religion, Philosophy & Ethics.

Key benefits

- Theology & Religious Studies is taught in the very centre of one of the world's most dynamic cities.

- It is one of the largest and most wide-ranging departments of Theology & Religious Studies in the UK.

- Unparallelled access to specialist libraries, including the Maughan Library at King's, and other religious and cultural resources in central London.

- A supportive educational environment within a department that specialises in the three 'Abrahamic' faiths.

Visit the website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught-courses/theology-and-religious-studies-grad-dip.aspx

Course detail

- Description -

Designed to ease the transition from another area of study. May be used as a qualifying programme for study at MA level. Flexible structure. Select modules from Theology, Religion in the Contemporary World and Religion, Philosophy & Ethics.

- Course purpose -

For applicants of graduate or equivalent status in areas of study other than Theology & Religious Studies. The Graduate Diploma may be used as a qualifying programme to enable study at MA level, as it is especially designed to ease the transition to Theology & Religious Studies from another subject.

- Course format and assessment -

Part-time attendance: one-two days per week. Taught modules are assessed by coursework and/or examination, plus a dissertation.

Student Destinations:

Further academic research; teaching; journalism; religious institutions.

How to apply: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/taught-courses.aspx

About Postgraduate Study at King’s College London:

To study for a postgraduate degree at King’s College London is to study at the city’s most central university and at one of the top 21 universities worldwide (2016/17 QS World University Rankings). Graduates will benefit from close connections with the UK’s professional, political, legal, commercial, scientific and cultural life, while the excellent reputation of our MA and MRes programmes ensures our postgraduate alumni are highly sought after by some of the world’s most prestigious employers. We provide graduates with skills that are highly valued in business, government, academia and the professions.

Scholarships & Funding:

All current PGT offer-holders and new PGT applicants are welcome to apply for the scholarships. For more information and to learn how to apply visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/pg/funding/sources

Free language tuition with the Modern Language Centre:

If you are studying for any postgraduate taught degree at King’s you can take a module from a choice of over 25 languages without any additional cost. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/mlc

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The Master’s in Theology and Religious Studies at Leiden University allows you to study a broad spectrum of religions and their manifestations. During the programme, you will be taught theories that you will apply immediately to empirical findings in a comparative approach. Important themes throughout the curriculum are modernisation and globalisation and their impacts on religion and its place in society. Our multi-disciplinary approach provides you with a set of academic skills that will enhance your career opportunities.

Visit the website: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/programmes/theology-and-religious-studies/en/introduction

Course detail

What makes the Master’s in Theology and Religious Studies unique is the wide scope of the programme. The generalist approach towards the study of religion focuses on of skills, tools, methods and theories. Graduates are equipped with everything needed to analyse situations and tackle problems in society at large. Our staff members are specialised in Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Antique and New Religious movements; their expertise is available on site.

Additionally Leiden University houses a wealth of scholars working in area studies, history and the social sciences, fostering conversations and the exchange of ideas. Our generalist toolbox, specialised knowledge and the university’s broader setting offer you a programme that is unlike any other in the Netherlands or beyond.

Why choose Theology and Religious studies at Leiden?

- Leiden University is famous for its wide range of specialisms, providing you with an excellent basis for the study of religion from a comparative perspective.

- Courses consist both of theory and applied practice, offering you hands-on experience with all the research skills and tools made available throughout the programme.

- A variety of alternating electives gives you freedom of choice. You can specialise in one of many religious traditions, or opt for a methodological approach.

- Relative small size of our department allows for an informal atmosphere and approachable staff members. You’ll be provided with individual, personalized guidance.

Careers

The master’s degree gives access to opportunities for pursuing a research-oriented career. Graduates often find employment as editors, journalists, policy advisors, counsellors or as teachers of religion or philosophy.

Positions you could hold after your studies:

- Teacher of religious studies
- Member of staff at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service
- PhD candidate at an international university
- Journalist
- Party Officer at a political party
- Consultant at McKinsey

How to apply: http://en.mastersinleiden.nl/arrange/admission

Funding

For information regarding funding, please visit the website: http://prospectivestudents.leiden.edu/scholarships

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The political and social dimensions of religions are at the heart of this innovative programme, which explores the role of religions and theology in global development. You’ll consider religion as a resource, obstacle and participant in development, exploring the relationships between religions, aid agencies and local communities.

You will develop your understanding of both development and religious studies, as core modules introduce you to theories and issues in development and how they relate to developing countries across the Global South. In addition, you will choose from optional modules in each area, allowing you to specialise in topics such as the links between conflict or gender and development, or the role of religion in public life.

Drawing on sociological, historical, anthropological and political approaches, this diverse degree will equip you with the skills and knowledge to research the relationship between religions and development in a stimulating environment.

This programme is also available to study part-time over 24 months.

Course Content

This course is taught jointly by Theology and Religious Studies and the Centre for Global Development.
Across the year you will study a core module introducing you to theories and approaches in development studies, and how social, economic and political inequalities lay at the heart of development. In Semester Two another core module will focus on the complex relationships between religions and global development – the views of different religious traditions towards issues such as poverty, gender and welfare, and the roles they can play in development.

At the same time you will be thinking about your dissertation: an independent research project on a topic of your choice which allows you to demonstrate the skills and subject knowledge that you gain. You can choose to extend your dissertation if you want to go into even greater depth. You will submit the finished dissertation by the end of the programme in August.

You will also have other opportunities to specialise, as you choose from optional modules to focus on topics that suit your interests or career plans. In development studies, you’ll select from modules on topics such as democracy and development, or Africa in the modern world. If you opt for the standard dissertation, you’ll choose another module from religious studies.

If you decide to study part-time, you will study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.

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Programme description

This programme provides the opportunity study a variety of religious traditions, while combining advanced learning in the theory and method of the study of religion.

Religious beliefs, behaviours and institutions are fascinating and powerful components in human societies. Understanding their motivations and structures can help the search for solutions to major challenges in the contemporary world.

This programme allows a deepening engagement with the methodological ramifications of the field, while encouraging in-depth study of one or more religious traditions.

Our focus extends beyond theory and method in religious studies to specific local, national and international religious traditions. We study Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Indian traditions, as well as indigenous religions of Africa, North America and East Asia, and new age and diasporic traditions.

This combination of theoretical know-how with studies in specific traditions equips you to compare, interpret and explain religion in a cross-cultural perspective.

The programme also offers the opportunity to learn Sanskrit, Arabic or Persian (subject to availability) through our leading expertise in Asian Studies and in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies.

Programme structure

This MSc is run over one year full time (or two years part-time).

You will participate in seminars, tutorials and lectures. You will be given training in research methods and will receive individual supervision for your 15,000-word dissertation.

Compulsory courses:

Theory and Method in the Study of Religion
Selected Themes in the Study of Religion
Approaches to Research in Divinity and Religious Studies

Option courses:

Contemporary Theories of Religion
Gender and Ethics in Islam
New Age Spirituality in Contemporary Culture
New Dimensions in Jewish Thought
New Indigenous Religious Movements
Religion and Nationalism
Religion and the New African Diaspora

You can choose a further postgraduate course offered elsewhere in the School of Divinity, or a course or language from another School, at the discretion of the Programme Director and subject to availability.

Career opportunities

The programme is designed to give you a good basis for postgraduate research in religious studies, or for employment in a wide range of areas requiring critical analysis and empathetic understanding.

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The University of Brighton is one of the UK's largest teacher training universities, rated ‘outstanding’ in our last Ofsted inspection.

This course leads to the award of Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) for the 11–16 age range which enables you to teach in schools in England and Wales. The course also offers enrichment opportunities to teach the 16–18 age phase.

The programme is suitable if you have graduated with a good honours degree or equivalent, in the traditional areas of religious studies and theology, or associated disciplines such as anthropology, philosophy and sociology.

Studying with us, you will have access to excellent resources and gain practical experience in two of around 250 schools with whom we have partnerships. You will be mentored by a successful teaching team with an outstanding national reputation and comprehensive research profile that informs course content.

Religious education continues to occupy a lively, distinctive and often controversial place in education and we engage in this debate as part of the healthy growth of the subject. You will be required to work out your own answers and approaches to the exciting challenges in religious education in professional, reflective and practical ways as you take on the role of a religious education teacher.

Specialising in religious education at PGCE level means that you will be able to take a role in the leadership and development of this subject area throughout your career. Find out more about teaching RE and training bursaries:

http://www.teachre.co.uk/want-to-teach-re/

Course structure

Two-thirds of your year will be spent teaching, under supervision, in schools. Our tutors and mentors will advise and support you throughout each placement. You will receive comprehensive feedback during this time, enabling you to see where you are doing well and where you could improve.

The university works in partnership with schools and colleges to provide a high quality programme of support, ensuring a sound relationship between theory and practice. You will benefit from undertaking two placements in two schools or colleges, with the opportunity to visit additional schools or colleges as part of the 'Peer Observation' programme.

You will be encouraged to approach your teaching strategies creatively, to aid the progress of your students and your own skills as an RE teacher. You will learn and practice a variety of teaching approaches and innovative classroom practices on this programme.

Please visit the website to find out more about the course structure:

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/secondary-religious-studies-pgce.aspx

Areas of study

A number of support systems are put in place before and during the course, to help students develop their subject knowledge in key curriculum areas. The subject knowledge required for Key Stages 3/4 includes the six major world faiths, religious philosophy and ethics, and secular philosophies and other religious traditions.

There are four strands to this course: subject study/subject education, education studies, school placements and professional development.

Course content is kept up to date with changes in local and national initiatives and legislation, so you will be confident that your working knowledge is based on current theory and practice.

The subject study/subject education strand builds upon your existing expertise in religious studies and provides you with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of religious studies in the secondary school context. You will consider the learning and teaching strategies that are relevant to the specialist subject.

The subject education module is specifically related to teaching the specialist subject in school while the subject study module enables you to take your subject specialist studies to an increased depth. You can earn 20 masters-level credits through the assessment for the subject study module.

The education studies strand will give you a thorough understanding of the learning process itself, including an appreciation of individual differences. The study of the principles and practices of learning and teaching is through both school and university settings, allowing you to develop practical competences, supported by analytical skills. By the end of the course you will:

• refine your understanding of pedagogy, including an appreciation of current and emerging educational theories and debate
• understand how to use and adapt a range of teaching, learning, management and assessment strategies in order to meet the varying needs of learners
• understand how the progress and well-being of learners is affected by a range of influences and know how to take account of the principles of equality, inclusion and diversity.

Professional development is intrinsically linked to all key strands of the programme and is designed to enable you to evaluate critically and reflect upon your learning in order to make improvements. You will be expected to gather and justify evidence of your achievements on a regular basis and develop and implement improvement plans.

Students use an e-portfolio to record their achievements, and this is reviewed throughout the course. An action plan is used to support professional development during placements and makes up a significant part of the improvement planning process.

At the end of the course, the e-portfolio provides evidence that you have met the Teachers’ Standards for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Placements

Ofsted identify our approach to training in schools as a key strength of this course, with an excellent balance between university tuition and school-based training.

You will spend a minimum of 120 days on school-based activities, with your training shared between the university and the partner school.

Your school-based training will include observing teachers, working with individual pupils and groups of pupils, team teaching and independent teaching. Your training will also entail completing specific subject tasks and developing your knowledge of school policy and effective practices.

You will maintain a professional training portfolio and be supported to review your work critically and analytically as well as to set appropriately challenging targets. We will also develop an action plan with you to identify strengths, development needs and actions, so that your practice is continually developing. Please visit the website for further details regarding the placements:

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/secondary-religious-studies-pgce.aspx

School Direct

School Direct is an alternative route to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) and the University of Brighton is working with a number of schools to deliver this programme across a range of secondary subjects as well as in the primary phase.

To train as a teacher through the School Direct programme you need to apply directly to a school for a School Direct training place, with schools advertising their vacancies on the UCAS Teacher Training website. The University of Brighton supports School Direct through providing training and assessment opportunities at the request of participating schools. Please follow the link below to find out more about School Direct and view vacancies:

https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/School-Direct-Tuition-and-School-Direct-Salaried.aspx

Careers and employability

You will graduate from this course equipped with the skills and knowledge to become a confident and competent secondary school teacher.

As well as gaining a PGCE, you will be assessed against the national Teachers’ Standards in order to be recommended for the award of Qualified Teacher Status.

Most students gain employment in schools across the UK very soon after they have completed the course and achieved the teaching qualifications.

If you demonstrate a high level of understanding you may be eligible for masters-level credits.

If you are considering whether a career in teaching is for you, and you are a UK resident, the Department for Education’s School Experience Programme (SEP) offers 1 to 10 days’ classroom experience in a secondary school. For details,visit http://www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching/school-experience.aspx.

The teachers we train are:

• highly committed to their pupils’ learning and ambitious in what they want to help them achieve
• inquisitive, critically reflective and motivated to keep learning and improving their own practice
• quick to adapt to different learning contexts and confident to challenge inequalities
• an asset to the profession, willing to share their knowledge and experience and to collaborate with others
• well-prepared for the realities of teaching, with the confidence, resilience and skills to be innovative, to take risks and be creative.

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The Advanced Diploma is a nine-month postgraduate qualification especially designed for those who already have a degree, but in a subject other than Theology and Religious Studies. Taking this course may be a first step to doing an M.Phil. or Ph.D. in Theology and/or Religious Studies in this or another university, but does not count towards such a degree.

Please note this course will be renamed to Advanced Diploma in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion with effect from 1 October 2017.

Candidates submit a dissertation of not more than 10,000 words and offer three or four papers selected from Papers A1, B1-B16, C1-C12 and D1-D2 of the Theology and Religious Studies Tripos (the Faculty's undergraduate degree). Candidates shall offer at least one paper from the set consisting of Papers C1-12 and D1-D2 (third year papers). Only one may be from Papers A1, B1 or C1 (language papers). No candidate shall offer more than one paper examined by an alternative form of assessment (ie by essay).

Visit the website: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/dvdvadtrs

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the Advanced Diploma students should have:

- made the transition from another discipline, usually in the humanities, and acquired a grounding in the key concepts and methods in the subject;
- acquired advanced understanding in up to four sub-disciplines of the subject;
- acquired detailed knowledge of a specific topic, either in a chosen sub-discipline, or of an interdisciplinary character, and of basic principles of scholarly research, through the writing of a dissertation;
- had the opportunity to acquire a basic or advanced proficiency in a scriptural language of a major religious tradition and in the interpretation of scriptural texts.

Format

Students attend the lectures and classes given for the Undergraduate students. Supervisions will be given for the papers and the dissertation.

Assessment

A dissertation of not more than 10,000 words. The examiners may at their discretion request an oral examination in any aspect of the work submitted by the candidate.

Candidates may choose one of the papers assessed under alternative means. Depending on the paper, such means may be either two essays of no more than 5,000 words each; or a portfolio of supervision essays.

Candidates must offer two papers assessed by three-hour written examination, as well as a third paper assessed either by three-hour examination or by alternative means (see above). In addition, candidates may offer a fourth supplementary paper assessed by three-hour examination.

Continuing

Must achieve at least 67% in the examinations.

How to apply: http://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying

Funding Opportunities

There are no specific funding opportunities advertised for this course. For information on more general funding opportunities, please follow the link below.

General Funding Opportunities: http://www.2016.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/finance/funding

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Our MA in Religious Studies allows you to specialise in one of two pathways: Asian Religions or Late Antiquity.

Late Antiquity Pathway:

On this pathway you will discover the great religious and cultural transformations of Late Antiquity - the landmark period when contemporary world faiths emerged. This pathway draws on internationally-recognised expertise in Religion from Late Antiquity to the contemporary era, across a wide geographical area, and with sensitivity to issues in the public eye. Acquiring advanced theological, historical and linguistic skills, you will analyse major texts and artefacts of the period (200 - 800AD) to better understand the major world religions. Drawing on the concentration of expertise found in the Centre for Late Antique Religion and Culture, you will explore religions such as Paganism, Gnosticism and Zoroastrianism. A highlight is the availability of Arabic, Greek or Latin teaching for deeper understanding of original sources.

Asian Religions Pathway:

This pathway allows you to explore the religious literature and culture of South Asia or China in combination or isolation in this specialist programme. You will be rooted within the Centre for the History of Religion in Asia, with expertise ranging from Chinese Buddhism to the study of the ancient Indian religious tradition of Jainism. At the heart of the UK’s largest single concentration of Mahabharata scholars, you also have the rewarding option of gaining a firm grounding in the classical Indian language of Sanskrit if you wish.

Distinctive features

• Teaching by internationally renowned experts and informed by the latest research of our Centres for the History of Religion in Asia and Late Antique Religion and Culture.

• The opportunity to engage in postgraduate research culture, by participating in Research Centre activities

• Designed to be flexible to your interests.

Structure

This course can be completed in 1 year with full-time study or in 3 years with part-time study.

You will take a mixture of core and optional modules totalling 120 credits over two (full-time) or four (part-time) semesters.

On successful completion of the taught stage, you will progress to your dissertation (60 credits), researching and writing a dissertation (20,000 words) on a topic or theme of your choice in consultation with your academic supervisor.

Teaching

Classes are delivered via small student-focussed tutorials rather than formal lectures, and with individual interests and flexibility in mind.

As part of the programme, you will be encouraged to deliver presentations to your fellow MA students within our supportive community.

Assessment

Assessment is via written assignments of approximately 4,000 words, and language exams if you specialise in language study.

Career Prospects

This programme is essentially a research preparation programme. Graduates from this programme have successfully applied for funded places as PhD students. Beyond that, this programme also enhances the skills and knowledge base acquired through a first degree in Religious Studies. Previous graduates have therefore successfully embarked on careers in a range of employment, such as religious organisations, primary and secondary teaching, print and broadcasting media, and higher education administration and management.

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This course will enable you to explore the diversity of global religious and spiritual life; probe relationships between religion, spirituality, society, identity, ethics and popular culture; explore texts and traditions; consider the phenomenon of religion from a range of disciplinary perspectives; receive training in advanced research skills; and undertake field research.

Why Study Religious Studies with us?

Our course is ideal for anyone seeking to gain greater understanding of the impact of religion and spirituality in the contemporary world and at some key points in history, and to develop critical thinking skills. It is also ideal as a means of training for further doctoral studies in religion.

Professionals in both the private and public sectors engage in this Master’s course to increase their ‘religious literacy’ and to demonstrate to their employers the many transferable skills fostered by the study of religions. Teachers take the course to bolster their expertise in a range of religious traditions. Many students take this course simply because they consider studying the world’s religious beliefs, texts, histories and practices fascinating and relevant.

We will provide you with opportunities and training to undertake field research in religious communities, both abroad and in the UK.

What will I learn?

You will study two introductory core modules, which provide a foundation in key literature on theory and training in practical research methods and ethics. You may then select three specialist modules, covering many major traditions, as well as spirituality and popular culture; the contemporary religious and spiritual landscape; indigenous religions; and field research.

How will I be taught?

The course is available entirely through online distance learning or through a combination of face-to-face taught sessions, intensive residentials and online learning.

Full-time and part-time students should expect to devote 30 hours or 15 hours respectively per week to their studies. You will also have two to six contact hours per week.

How will I be assessed?

Assessments include long essays (usually 4,000 words), shorter critical reviews, research proposals, and other shorter tasks. There are no examinations. The dissertation is a single piece of work comprising 20,000 words.

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Summary

As faiths of all kinds navigate their way through a period of great social change, it is more important than ever to possess an in-depth understanding of how faiths interact with each other and society. This MA creatively balances the close study of particular traditions with a broad understanding of the subject area. It is one of the few programmes in London that offers specialised teaching in Islam as well as several different aspects of Christian theology.

On this course, you can study a variety of religious traditions in relation to key topics such as social justice, gender, text and textual interpretation, and inter-religious dialogue and conflict. You will have the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of particular religious themes, with a broad view of religious studies, and its diverse forms of interpretation and practice. This course will suit students who want to develop advanced skills in the study and analysis of a range of issues, rather than focus on one specialist subject.

A strength of the course is that it allows you to have a critical awareness of the relationship between different religions and modern secular society, with an informed and scholarly understanding of differences within as well as between religious traditions and cultures. From this,you will use advanced methods of research and critical analysis to explore the ways in which different religious perspectives contribute to contemporary debates about identity, politics and culture.

Drawing on London's rich resources for studying religions in their material, social and historical contexts, this course provides an enhanced learning environment and contributes to your wider cultural awareness and understanding. This is underpinned by a focus on advanced study and research skills, designed to equip you with a high level of proven academic competence and preparing you for careers and vocations that require this expertise. This might include educational institutions, NGOs and other organisations in which understanding of religious perspectives is an advantage.

Content

The MA in Theology and Religious Studies allows you to focus on a broad range of topics within the subject area, and study your particular interests in-depth.

On offer is specialised teaching in Hinduism and Islam as well as different aspects of Christian theology. You could study gender across these traditions, for example looking at women in Islam from feminist, reformist and traditionalist perspectives, or specifically looking at gender across religious texts and narratives. Or you could study contemporary doctrine, such as Pentecostalism in different parts of the world, or in Christian marriage and family life, also taking into account qualitative and quantitative data on marriage and family today, and the political and policy decisions that affect families.

As well as contemporary debates, you will look at historical issues, for example through the effect of Christian theology on art and culture throughout history. You will look at how depictions of nature and grace, suffering and redemption, and gender and incarnation, changed through the Reformation, and then how these new representations influenced modern art and philosophy.

The course also provides opportunity to investigate the relationship of religion and society through modules look at, for example, human rights and community engagement. You will gain an understanding of the historic and contemporary relationship between the Church and the State, as well as the nature of Christian activism in public policy and public discourse.

Finally, you will write a dissertation on a topic of your choice, which can be informed by your study on the optional modules, or from an area of interest of your own.

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This flexible programme will give you a sophisticated understanding of theories and methods at the forefront of Theology and Religious Studies. You will study diverse religious traditions in the UK and beyond, as well as their impact on the world around us.
Core modules explore the relationship between religion, theology and the public sphere in areas such as human rights, wealth and wealth creation, terrorism and social justice. You will also gain an understanding of research methods in the humanities and social sciences.
Then you will select from optional modules focusing on topics that suit your interests such as philosophy of religion, the links between religion and global development or gender, multiculturalism and more.
With the support of leading researchers, including those working in our Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Centre for Religion and Public Life, you will develop a wide range of skills while exploring a subject that is vital for understanding the world we live in.

This programme is also available to study part-time over 24 months. You can also study for a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) or diploma (PGDip) qualification, where you take fewer modules overall.

Course Content

Your first semester will equip you with the knowledge and skills to study theology and religion. You will take core modules introducing you to research methods in the subject, using approaches from across the humanities and social sciences, as well as exploring the relationship between theology and public life. You will learn about political, urban, systematic and practical theologies among many others, focusing on issues such as racism, criminal justice and social cohesion.

This foundation will enable you to gain specialist knowledge in the areas that suit your interests. You will choose two optional modules from the range we offer, allowing you to focus on topics such as Muslims and multiculturalism, or philosophical approaches to spirituality.

During the programme you will acquire skills in research and interpretation and good social and cultural awareness. You’ll demonstrate this with your dissertation – an independent study on a research topic of your choice – which you will submit by the end of the programme in August. You can even go into greater depth if you swap one optional module for an extended dissertation.

If you choose to study part-time, you’ll study over a longer period and take fewer modules in each year.
If you study for the PGCert or PGDip qualification, you’ll take fewer modules. You will also specialise in either theology or religious studies, depending on the modules you choose.

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This course will give you the opportunity to follow specific pathways in Philosophical Theology; Theology, Philosophy and Literature; or Biblical Interpretation and Theology. Alternately, you may choose a General Pathway, which encourages you to understand and analyse aspects of biblical texts, Christian theology and religious studies at a significantly deeper level than in your undergraduate studies.

It is very suitable for RE teachers and Christian (or other) religious ministers who would like to upgrade or update their undergraduate studies.

It is also an ideal degree if you wish to pursue a one-year MA as preparation for a research degree (either MPhil or PhD), as suggested by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Key facts

The Department of Theology and Religious Studies has a long and distinguished history.
The RAE confirmed that Nottingham had retained its place in the top 10 elite theology departments across the UK: this reflects the high quality of publications which the staff have produced.
You will be part of a thriving postgraduate community that welcomes students from all over the world.

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Program Overview

The Religious Studies graduate program offers courses of instruction leading to both the Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Studies leading to the M.A. degree are offered in the following areas of concentration: Biblical Studies; Christian Thought and Institutions; History of Religions; Islamic Studies; and Judaic Studies.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Arts
- Specialization: Religious Studies
- Subject: Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Options
- Faculty: Faculty of Arts

Modern Language Requirements

Students are required to demonstrate reading knowledge of an approved modern language (usually French, German or Italian). This requirement must be met before the end of the first year of study. Any courses taken to satisfy this requirement do not count towards the 30 credits required for the program.

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