This post-graduate degree in theology, ministry, and mission, is validated by Durham University as part of the Common Awards scheme. It is an opportunity to develop theological studies, ideal for those engaged in any service in the Church, either lay or ordained. It is particularly suitable for those in the early years of ministry or later where sabbatical leave enables further study and reflection. It is a distance learning course designed to fit around your work and other commitments.

The MA is normally open to those with a good theology degree. Depending on your previous qualifications and experience the course can usually be completed in three years.

You will study 7 level 7 modules, part-time over three years, relating theological knowledge to your professional & personal circumstances. You will be the engaged in the advanced study of key biblical passages and challenging theological texts. You will reflect on the theory and practice of mission, evangelism and practical theology, relating this to your own experience, shared with others, so as to enhance and deepen your ministry. You will be guided in ways to research important material to develop your own ideas, particularly through your dissertation. This final large piece of work is an opportunity to study in depth a theological topic of your own choice directed related to your own ministry.... [-]

Based in central London, the Aga Khan University Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations (ISMC) two-year MA Programme offers:

Within the disciplines of social sciences and humanities, our students study a number of subjects including, development studies, economics, political science, art, architecture, history, literature, comparative religion and law.

The MA programme consists of a number of core and elective courses which includes a field-based Language Immersion Programme (Arabic, Persian or Turkish), a Communications and Leadership Programme as well as fieldwork which contributes to a dissertation.... [-]

This programme offers a flexible framework within which you can develop knowledge and skills in Islamic Studies in historical and/or contemporary contexts, and provides an ideal foundation for further research.

You will have the opportunity engage with material that is at the forefront of contemporary academic research in Islamic Studies, and explore a range of topics in Islamic Studies that reflect the expertise of academic staff: this may typically include content with historical, sociological, contextual, legal, textual or philosophical emphases.

The programme combines a set of core modules to provide you with a foundation for your studies with a range of options which allow you to specialise in areas of particular interest.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time); Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours preferably in a related discipline

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA in Islamic Law allows students to study Islamic law and its application in a broad range of legal areas, including Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic family law, Law of Islamic finance and human rights, as well as its relationship to society in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. All SOAS modules are designed not only to introduce students to the general fields of law, but also to provide an understanding of how generic legal structures and processes may operate in non-Western social and cultural settings. All teachers on modules offered at SOAS are experts in their designated field. Many have years of experience advising governments, international organisations or non-governmental organisation, and many also have been or continue to be legal practitioners in their specialised fields.... [-]

Duration:

Full-time: 1 calendar year. Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years.

We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Mode of Attendance: Full-Time or Part-Time

The MA Buddhist Studies suits students with different academic backgrounds and prospective personal objectives, from those interested in broadening their knowledge of Buddhism as a whole or of specific Buddhist traditions to those intending to embark on language-based research or fieldwork among Buddhist communities.

It typically suits:

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Minimum upper second class honours degree (or equivalent)

Subjects Preferred: Applicants are not required to have previous academic experience of this subject, although a strong interest in Islamic societies and cultures is of course expected.

Start of programme: September intake only

This MA programme studies many aspects of the world of Islam, from its early development to its modern trends. Its primary objective is to approach the study of Islam through a variety of disciplines, cultural contexts and periods. The programme examines Islamic tradition, law and art, as well as the place of Islam in modern politics and alongside other religions. The degree may be considered as a preparation for research or as a way of completing a liberal education. Each module has its own series of classes and seminars, and in addition, students attend general lectures and seminars organised by the Middle East Centre. In most modules, there is one two-hour class each week. This may be an informal lecture followed by a discussion or a student presentation. At Masters level, there is particular emphasis on seminar work where students may be expected to make full-scale presentations for units they take. The dissertation is on an approved topic linked to one of the taught modules.... [-]

Duration: 2 years

Start of programme: April / October

Mode of Attendance: Online

What are the challenges faced by Muslim minority communities and their host societies? What are the debates surrounding the place of religious minorities in secular societies?

Recent political shifts in Muslim majority countries have put Muslim minorities in the spotlight and impacted upon their relationship with their host societies. This programme gives you an opportunity to consider Muslim minority communities comparatively, within both western and non-western contexts.

You will explore the varieties of religious interpretations and practices that have resulted in issues and challenges arising uniquely within different Muslim minority communities and the key themes of:... [-]

Duration: 1 calendar year Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

Who is this programme for?

The programme is designed to appeal to policy-makers, analysts, journalists and researchers in either international, national or regional institutions and organisations engaged in policy formation, inter-religious dialogue and community development, social work, development, conflict resolution, peacebuilding or diversity management. It will also provide a solid basis from which to pursue doctoral study. The programme is intended to enable professional development in the area of ‘Religion and Politics’ as well to provide pre-doctoral research training in social scientific analyses of ‘Religion and Politics’.... [-]

Duration: Full-time: 1 calendar year Part-time: 2 or 3 calendar years. We recommend that part-time students have between two and a half and three days free in the week to pursue their course of study.

Minimum Entry Requirements: Normally, minimum upper second class Honours degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification or equivalent standard. Applicants with qualifications obtained at private or religious institutions should inquire about the School’s position on such qualifications.

Interview Policy: We welcome applications from students with non-conventional qualifications and usually determine suitability for the programme on the basis of an interview.... [-]

Duration: 2 years full time, 4 years part-time

Entry Requirements: Normally, minimum upper second class Honours degree from a UK university, or an overseas qualification or equivalent standard. Applicants with qualifications obtained at private or religious institutions should inquire about the School’s position on such qualifications.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The MA Religions of Asia and Africa is in the first place a rewarding cultural and human experience. It is designed both as an end qualification in itself and as a platform preparing students for more advanced graduate work.... [-]

Duration: One calendar year (full-time), or two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: Upper second class honours BA (or equivalent) in Arabic. An upper second class honours BA / BSc degree in any other subject is an acceptable qualification providing it is accompanied by the required level of Arabic language: students should be able to read and understand original Classical Arabic texts, such as Qur'an, Hadith, Tafsir, Sirah, Fiqh.

Start of programme: September intake only

The MA offers the students the opportunity to concentrate on the Qur'an, the Hadith and other Islamic texts, and so provides a unique training in the translation of Islamic religious material. The degree is designed to benefit academics, teachers of Islam in other institutions, translators of Islamic material into English in research centres, government departments and da'wa centres. It provides excellent research training and is a useful qualification for those who wish to progress to higher postgraduate degrees.... [-]

Duration: One year (full-time). Two or three years (part-time, daytime only)

Minimum Entry Requirements: The normal qualification for admission to the MA programme is an upper second class honours degree. Other qualifications, however, may be acceptable and the Department welcomes mature students. Students taking the MA degree may or may not have previous experience of our subjects. While knowledge of a relevant Asian or African language is not a requirement, for some courses it is an advantage for admission (see individual course descriptions for details). It is possible to include an element of language training within the MA programme by taking an Asian or African language as one of the two ‘minor’ courses. This option may be particularly desirable for those intending to progress to the PhD, who do not already have the necessary language skills.... [-]

Mode of Attendance: Full Time or Part Time

The thematic components and cross-regional perspectives typically suit students with the following interests and/or aspirations:

Deepen your grasp of the religious teachings at the heart of Christianity. You will bring together historical and contemporary examinations of the theological ideas which have shaped Christian faith and identity and delve into the central teachings of Christianity.

This degree is specially designed for teachers of Religious Education at the secondary level, those engaged in Christian ministry in its many forms, and those who want to enrich their understanding of the on-going theological tradition which supports Christian faith and life.

Examine the spiritual traditions of Christianity in their historical and contemporary forms, and develop the ability to understand and evaluate the language, ideas and forms of Christian spirituality. You will focus on Christianity in its Western development.

The degree attracts people in ministry and teachers of religious education, as well as people whose professional life or vocational work involves religious questions.

Foundations for the Study of Christian Spirituality