Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (Part-time) (MA)
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is a unique distance learning course that explores how humans connect with the planets, stars, and sky, and how these connections shape culture and society. This course is taught within the Sophia Centre for the ÃÜÌÒ´«Ã½ of Cosmology in Culture at the Institute of Education and Humanities.
This programme examines the ways we understand our place in the universe. Every atom in our bodies has passed through stars, meaning that we are literally made of stardust. For thousands of years, people have explored their emotional, physical, and spiritual links with the sky. These connections can be seen in many areas of life, from religion and creativity to politics and architecture.
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is the only academic degree in the world that focuses on how human beings relate to the cosmos. The course takes a multi-disciplinary humanities approach, using fields like history, anthropology, archaeology, sociology, and the study of religions to give students a full understanding of the subject. This broad approach helps to explain the complex links between astrological, astronomical, and cosmological beliefs and practices across different times and cultures.
Throughout the programme, students will explore the differences between astronomy and astrology. In today’s world, astronomy is known as the scientific study of the universe, while astrology is the practice of connecting heavenly bodies to human lives. The study of Cultural Astronomy looks at how beliefs about the stars are applied in human culture. A major part of the course includes archeoastronomy, which looks at how astronomical alignments and symbols appear in both ancient and modern architecture.
Students will also examine the cultural impacts of astronomy, astrology, and cosmology. This includes investigating how the sky is used in religion, how it has been depicted in the arts, and the relationship between the cosmos and the human mind. You’ll also study the history of astrology and learn about ancient practices like magic and divination.
As part of the programme, you will keep a journal of your sky observations, research what people believe about the stars today, and learn how to measure and interpret celestial alignments at archaeological sites. The course concludes with a 15,000-word dissertation based on independent research, supervised by expert staff.
This degree provides an opportunity to explore the rich connections between human culture and the cosmos, making it a fascinating choice for those interested in how the stars influence our lives and societies.
This MA can be studied full-time or part-time.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Part-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
The Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) programme fosters a student-centred approach, combining independent research with academic guidance. Our philosophy emphasises critical thinking and interdisciplinary learning, allowing students to explore a wide range of subjects. This fully online programme provides flexibility, enabling students to engage with global perspectives on cosmology, astrology, and culture.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(10 / 20 credits)
(30 credits)
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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or UWTSD recognised equivalent. 
Admissions Advice and Support â¶Ä¯
For specific advice and support you can contact our enquiries team for more information about entry requirements. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
English language requirements â¶Ä¯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. â¶Ä¯&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 â¶Ä¯
If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
For courses of more than six months’ duration you will require a Student visa. â¶Ä¯&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¯â€¯
For full information read our visa application and guides. â¶Ä¯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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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. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
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. â¶Ä¯
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. â¶Ä¯&²Ô²ú²õ±è;
Opportunities to Learn Welsh 
We also provide a variety of opportunities to learn and develop your Welsh language skills. â¶Ä¯â€¯
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Each module is assessed by 7,500 words of written work. For example, some modules require one short essay of 1,500 words and a longer one of 6,000 words, normally due in week 10 to 12. In other modules, the first essay may be 3,000 words and the second 4,500 words, for example.
Assessment requirements, lengths and due dates can vary from module to module. The shorter essays may be a critical review of a piece of writing or be picked from a choice of two titles. For longer essays, there is a wider choice of titles. In some modules, the title and subject is negotiated with the course tutor.
Each is then returned with comments from either one or two tutors, and students are offered the chance to have a tutorial via Skype in order to discuss the comments.
Students who take the entire MA then go on to write a 15,000-word dissertation based on a piece of independent research on a topic chosen by the student in discussion with the module tutor, and other appropriate members of staff. Each student is allocated a supervisor who can guide them through the research and writing process.
For current essay titles and a list of recent dissertation topics, email Dr Nick Campion, n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk and ask for an Information Handbook.
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There are no formal additional costs. However, participation in online classes will require a webcam — about ten pounds sterling or ten US dollars. Some students will wish to purchase extra books (some are required), even though most course materials will be online.
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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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Most of our students take the MA as an end in itself because they love the subject. Some go on to study for PhDs, either with us or at other universities.
The relationship between all academic work and non-academic employment is always based on potential employers’ appreciation of the generic skills acquired in MA study. Typically, these include critical thinking, communication skills, time-management and the ability to take on and complete independent projects.
The latter quality is particularly prized by many employers. Some of our graduates stay in education either as research students or as teachers: one graduate is teaching at undergraduate level while another, a school teacher, was awarded a promotion and pay rise on her graduation.