MA Religions and Theology: The University of Manchester

Course description

This programme aims to provide students in Religions and Theology with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of these fields. It stresses a broad, interdisciplinary and comparative approach. Courses can be taken from across the offerings within the discipline and beyond. Courses in Religions and Theology cover a wide range of topics, including subject oriented choices in Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies, Christian Studies, and South Asian Studies, and method oriented courses in philosophy, gender studies, hermeneutics, political theory and more.

Module details

The subject core course unit is typically Method and Theory in the Study of Religion. This is complemented by a School-led core course unit which gives students the opportunity to acquire a variety of research and presentation skills. Optional course units are drawn from a combination of choices available in the specialist programmes (Biblical Studies; History of Christianity; Jewish Studies; Religion and Political Life; South Asian Studies; Theology, Culture and Society). Your selection will be tailored to meet your particular range of interests.

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 our 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).