MA Religion and Political Life: The University of Manchester

Course description

At one time there was a radical division between religion and public life, but today there is enormous interest in the role of religion in the public sphere. The relationship between religion and politics is receiving much attention in the social sciences. This programme aims to furnish students with a critical understanding of key concepts and themes in the field of religion and political life.

Students will explore various approaches to studying the various relationships between Religion and Political life (theoretical, historical, anthropological, ethnographic, and sociological methods, for example). Students will acquire knowledge of the historical and continuing involvement of Religion in various forms of political culture, and the ability to analyse critically religious traditions or aspects thereof from the standpoint of their involvement with political life. The programme will also provide the necessary foundations for further research in the field of Religion and Political Life.

Module details

The subject core course unit is typically Religion and Political Life, which will provide a grounding in five methodological approaches to examining the relationship between religion and politics (historical, philosophical, theological, ethnographic, political). This is complemented by a School-led core course which gives students the opportunity to acquire a variety of research and presentation skills.

Optional course units typically include:

• From Religion to Politics
• Gender and GlobalisationExploring Hindu Nationalism
• Christianity, Culture and Society in England c.1750 - 2000.

After successful completion of the taught course units you will write a dissertation for which you will usually have one-to-one supervision.

Career opportunities

The primary focus of all their postgraduate degrees is to give people research skills, whether for academic work or for another career. Many professions today require investigative skills. Some in the media spend time researching angles of events that relate to religions. Some in the health service investigate the experiences of various cultural groups in accessing services. Many in museums, libraries and other archives require the textual and historical research skills that their courses teach. Postgraduate study in Religions and Theology gives you a high level qualification for a wide range of investigative tasks.

Their masters degrees qualify you for research study at Manchester or at virtually any other high-level academic institution in the world. Many of their MA students are preparing for PhD study. Other students take Manchester MAs to enhance their understanding of a particular religious tradition, either their own or that of others. The programmes in Biblical Studies and Theology, Culture and Society offer particular opportunities for continuing professional development for church ministers. All of their courses offer valuable further professional development for teachers of Religious Education. In applying for a job in any field, a Manchester postgraduate degree will mark you out as someone with high-level skills and a track-record of successful engagement with serious and complex issues.

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: A First Class or Upper Second class honours degree is required, or the overseas equivalent.

English language: If your first language is not English, you need a minimum score of 7.0 on the IELTS test or 600 on the TOEFL paper-based test (250 computer-based), or the Cambridge Advanced Certificate (grades A-C) or the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (grades A-C).