MA in Religion

This religion MA invites you to explore how religion shapes—and is shaped by—the contemporary world. You will develop your expertise with internationally leading scholars in a department with a rich tradition of excellence in the fields of textual, theological, philosophical and social scientific study.

With just one required module besides the dissertation, this master’s in Religion gives you the chance to create your own study path by choosing from a broad range of optional religious studies and theology modules. This flexibility allows you to develop broad expertise or to choose a specialism in a particular area, such as biblical studies, systematic theology, philosophy, or the social sciences (anthropology, sociology and politics).

Key benefits

• Study for a degree that uniquely integrates humanities and social sciences into the study of religions in their social and cultural contexts
• Learn at a university ranked in the top ten for Theology, Divinity & Religious Studies in the UK (QS World Rankings by subject 2021)
• Taught by active academics who are world-leading experts in Islam, Judaism, Christianity and Buddhism, and a range of contemporary religious movements within and outside these religions
• Visit a range of diverse and rich religious and cultural resources in London, including places of worship and collections at the British Museum and National Gallery, to enhance your learning
• Reap the experience of a 180-year rich history of teaching Theology & Religious Studies at King’s
• Benefit from a supportive and diverse community of students and academics

Course essentials

Throughout this religion master’s, you’ll be taught by research-active academics whose commitment to original research means that you’ll be introduced to discoveries in a diverse range of fields.

The required module will introduce you to key questions asked in theology and religious studies today: What does it mean to study religion? How has the study of religion developed in secular and colonial contexts? And what might be new and promising directions for the field today? As well as exploring key moments and issues in the formation of ‘religion’ and religious studies, you’ll be encouraged to consider the wider implications of your research and to develop fresh approaches.

The main part of your religion MA will be dedicated to the optional modules, of which you can choose up to seven. This allows you to tailor the course to your interests and work towards developing a specialisation in a particular area of study or expertise in a combination of them. For example, you could focus on biblical studies, the philosophy of religion, theology, social sciences, or a specific tradition, such as Buddhism, Islam or Judaism.

You could choose to contemplate how the media represent religions and how they, in turn, engage with the media to further their needs and interests or explore Christian doctrine, investigating both its rich history and contemporary expressions and critiques of it.

Alternatively, you could immerse yourself in biblical Hebrew and learn how to read accessible texts such as the book of Ruth or Jonah, then use your new language skills to unlock an understanding of how biblical texts can be explored as responses to violence and as a means for ordering chaos. You could also study religion and the modern state, investigating whether there is a role for the state in religious affairs and if secularism is necessary for the coexistence of diverse traditions in multi-religious societies.

Your religion master’s will culminate in your research project that you’ll present in a formal dissertation. It’s your opportunity to explore the topics that interest you most, whether that’s looking at gender fluidity in religious texts, considering populism and religion in specific geographies, or analyzing God’s mercy in medieval religious thought.

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time, September to September