Theology and Religious Studies Postgraduate degree

Theology and Religious Studies

A systematic and in-depth understanding of key theological and religious issues within Christianity, Islam, Indian Religions and Judaism, taught by a passionate and experienced subject team.

Start Date:

September 2023

Duration:

1 year (full-time)
2 or 3 years (part-time)

Degree Type:

MA/PGDip/PGCert

Number of credits:

PGCert 60
PGDip 120
MA 180

Postgraduate, Master's and Doctoral On-Campus Open Evening

Wednesday 1 November 2023, 5–7.30pm

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Course and Module Details

Overview:

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 religions interact with each other and society. This MA Theology and Religious Studies 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, Indian Religions and Judaism 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.

Course 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 are modules that will ground students in theories and methods of study in religious studies, theology, and biblical studies as well as specialised teaching in Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and different aspects of Christian theology, including theological perspectives from the global South. You can 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 systematic approaches to the relationship between theology and ecology.

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.

Modules

 


These modules are those we currently offer and may be subject to change each year.

Indicative Timetable

Students on this course are normally in on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon and evening.

Tuition fees and funding

September 2023 entry tuition fees

Year 1 fees, see links in table below for more information.

UK EU and International
£8,750 £16,500

Career Options

This course is especially beneficial for those hoping to pursue a career in education, faith-based organisations, religious ministry and chaplaincy, or social services; work in international aid, the charity sector, and community organisations. One of the most important, and marketable, skills that a graduate of this degree will gain is that of ‘religious literacy’, opening-up a wealth of opportunities in the education sector and beyond. This programme is also beneficial for students hoping to pursue further research in theology and religious studies at PhD level.

How to apply

Postgraduate programmes

You can now apply for any programme for any entry point in 2023.

All postgraduate taught applications can be made via our online application form.

If you need any help or advice with your application, or just want to ask us a question before you apply, please do not hesitate to contact us.

International students
Please note that most international applicants have to pay a deposit before securing their place.

  • See our Finance pages for more details

Postgraduate application process FAQs

 

To apply, you need to complete our online application form.

No, you can save and revisit your application form and can contact us directly at any time if you need advice or assistance.

We have general entry requirements for postgraduate courses. Many of our courses also have specific entry requirements. You can find details of these, and the fees for individual courses, on our postgraduate course pages.

If you are a prospective postgraduate student who has home fee status, then you can apply close to the start of the course of study. However, if you have international fee status and require a Tier 4 Visa, then you will normally need to apply much earlier. Please see our application deadlines for postgraduate study.

We encourage all students to apply as early as possible, as some programmes have limited numbers.

Yes, we offer a range of scholarships, alongside support on managing your finances while you are with us.

You can find more information on our postgraduate home and postgraduate international financial support pages. There are also other sources of external funding for international students available.

Yes, we have a wide range of high quality and competitively priced on-campus student residences. We are able to offer quiet rooms and can adjust for those with specific access needs.

Find out more on our accommodation pages

Need help before you apply?

Our Research

To read about the research carried out by theology academics in Roehampton's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, please visit the department's research pages.

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Our Alumni

Doing all we can to support our students' lives at Roehampton 

At Roehampton, we can offer all new students the opportunity to live in accommodation on our beautiful parkland campus, including affordable and high-end options. 

We offer scholarships, provide hardship funding and help you find advice on managing your finances while you study.

We provide plenty of opportunities for you to get involved, through volunteering, playing sport or music, or joining one of our many active student societies.