Ancient Religions (Full-time) (MA)
This MA in Ancient Religions offers a unique, multidisciplinary programme that explores the diverse religious traditions of the ancient world. The course goes beyond the familiar realms of Greece and Rome to include ancient civilisations as far-reaching as Ancient Egypt, Celtic Britain, and Ancient China. By undertaking a comparative analysis of religious traditions, you will study how different cultures practised religion and engaged with the divine.
You will explore the earliest temples in Southwest Asia, delve into the religions of the Bronze Age Mediterranean, and examine the gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt. This programme will also take you across the sacred landscapes of northwest Europe, where you can uncover how ancient peoples interacted with their surroundings.
Through the study of ancient religions, you will encounter a range of key topics, such as organised religious practices, the myths of ancient Greece and Rome, and concepts like cosmology, magic, and divination in the classical world. You will also have the chance to engage with Old Testament texts, exploring their cultural and religious significance. This programme places emphasis on the importance of literary analysis and historical analysis, encouraging you to think critically about the religious, cultural, and political issues that shaped the ancient world.
The course offers flexibility, allowing you to tailor your studies according to your research interests. Modules are designed to cater to a wide variety of themes, from ancient philosophy and classical texts to political and cultural issues in the ancient world. You will also have the chance to engage with Greek and Roman philosophy, biblical studies, and even study ancient languages like New Testament Greek and Biblical Hebrew.
Whether you are interested in the ethical issues surrounding ancient religions or how different cultures viewed death and religion, this programme offers a comprehensive insight into the rich and varied beliefs of the ancient world. It is particularly suitable for those looking to further their academic journey, or to gain an in-depth understanding of the ancient world’s diverse and complex religious traditions.
Through your studies, you will engage with the political, cultural, and ethical issues that continue to influence religious thought today. By exploring these ancient civilisations, you will gain a deeper understanding of how religion shaped, and was shaped by, the ancient world.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Ancient Religions (MA) offers students whose interests centre on this field the opportunity to take a specialist higher degree tailored to investigating evidence for religious practices and beliefs in diverse cultural contexts: Neolithic southwest Asia, Bronze Age Mediterranean, Celtic, Egyptian, Jewish, Graeco-Roman, and ancient China.
Year 1 –
In the first year, you will be introduced to a wide range of ancient religions from different cultural contexts, including Neolithic southwest Asia, the Bronze Age Mediterranean, and ancient Egypt. Through archaeology, anthropology, and textual analysis, you will explore the interconnections between religion and society, examining key religious practices and beliefs. You will also engage with Celtic, Jewish, and Graeco-Roman traditions, gaining a deeper understanding of how cultural, political, and social forces shaped religious thought across different civilisations. This year provides a solid foundation for advanced comparative religious analysis.
Year 2 -
In the second year, you will concentrate on an independent research project, culminating in a dissertation. You will select a specific topic related to ancient religions in close consultation with a member of staff. This will provide an opportunity to apply your knowledge of methodologies, theories, and primary sources to address complex issues. You will develop the ability to construct a well-researched argument, engage critically with modern scholarship, and present your findings professionally. For language-focused students, there is the option to produce a lemmatic commentary on Greek or Latin texts.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
- Myth in Greek and Roman Epic (30 credits)
- Religious Change and Resilience: The case study of Amarna (30 credits)*
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
* These modules alternate with each other on an annual basis.
Course Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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2:2 honours degree 
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or UWTSD recognised equivalent.
Alternative entry routes 
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Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert). This is the first part of the full Master’s degree.
Once you have successfully completed your PGCert studies, you will be eligible to progress for the remainder of the Master’s degree. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
These are ideal routes if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Admissions Advice and Support 
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Visit the International Applications section of our website to find out more about our English Language Requirements and pre-sessional English Language Courses.
Visa and funding requirements 
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
International students who require a Student visa should apply for our full-time courses as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.
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An MA degree in Ancient Religions involves a wide range of assessment methods.
In addition to traditional essays, you will be assessed through bibliographic exercises, presentations – oral and PowerPoint-based, creation of abstracts and encyclopaedia articles, in-house conference papers, article reviews, creation of project plans and, of course, the final 15,000-word dissertation.
This variety of assessment helps develop skills in presenting material in a clear, professional and a lucid manner, whether orally or in writing.
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Some modules in this course are available to study through the medium of Welsh either fully or partially. In all cases students will be able to submit written assessments through the medium of Welsh.
If you choose to study your course either fully or partially through the medium of Welsh, you may be eligible to apply for scholarships and bursaries to support you with your studies.
We are continuously reviewing our Welsh medium provision, the precise availability of modules will vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course offers modules available through the medium of Welsh this may vary from year to year, and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific Welsh medium modules cannot be guaranteed.
Extracurricular Welsh Opportunities
There are many ways to engage with Welsh culture and life at UWTSD, including joining clubs and societies for Welsh speakers and becoming a member of our vibrant Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol branch. &²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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The programme provides a broad foundation for postgraduate work by laying particular emphasis on the methodologies and research tools needed for independent advanced study, thus acting as training for students who intend to undertake an MPhil or PhD.
The course also provides a professional qualification for teachers or others seeking Continuing Professional Development. In addition, the programme will be attractive to students who wish to study out of personal interest.