Ecology and Spirituality (Full-time) (MA)
This Ecology and Spirituality Masters course offers a unique look at how spirituality, religion, and philosophy connect to the natural world, providing you with tools to examine some of today’s biggest questions. Together, we will consider whether spirituality and religion contribute to ecological crises or if they hold potential solutions for a healthier, more sustainable planet. This is a chance to explore how spiritual and philosophical ideas about nature and our planet shape our personal values and decisions in life.
Through your studies, you’ll learn to use critical thinking to consider your own values and beliefs and how they impact the world around you. This course is designed to be a personal and experiential journey, inviting you to explore your inner landscape and how it connects to your actions in the outer world. By looking closely at our planetary connection, you’ll learn ways to shape your own path in contributing to a more resilient, connected, and harmonious world.
This programme goes beyond traditional environmental studies, extending its focus to a cosmic environment. You’ll have the chance to study our wider universe, exploring our connection to the sky, planets, and stars. This exciting module brings together ecology and the cosmos, letting you explore our place in the wider universe.
Through this programme, you’ll gain knowledge of both personal and collective solutions for sustainable living, taking an informed approach to finding balance between humanity and nature. The course’s combination of academic skills, self-exploration, and cosmic perspective offers a meaningful approach to sustainability and resilience in today’s world.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
At UWTSD, our approach to learning and teaching for the Ecology and Spirituality (MA) prioritises critical thinking and exploration. We believe in combining academic rigour with personal growth, supporting each student’s unique journey as they investigate their relationship to ecology, spirituality, and the cosmic environment through expert guidance and a rich array of resources.
Year 1
In the first year, you will explore core topics in Ecology and Spirituality, engaging with discussions on how spiritual and cultural beliefs impact ecological understanding. Compulsory modules introduce contemporary approaches to cosmology and environmental thought, helping you build a foundation in spiritual ecology and its role in today’s world. Optional modules offer deeper insight into areas like Sacred Geography and Environmental Philosophy.
Year 2
The second year is devoted to independent research, allowing you to deepen your expertise in ecology and spirituality through a dissertation on a topic of your choice. You will work closely with a supervisor, applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the first year to conduct meaningful, original research. This research contributes to scholarly insights on spirituality, culture, and sustainability.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(60 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(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. 
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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. â¶Ä¯&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¯â€¯
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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The main mode of assessment in Part I is via essays (two per module). The assessment for the Part II module is via a 15,000-word dissertation.
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Access to your own digital device/the appropriate IT kit will be essential during your time studying at UWTSD. Access to wifi in your accommodation will also be essential to allow you to fully engage with your programme. See our dedicated webpages for further guidance on suitable devices to purchase, and for a full guide on getting your device set up.
You may face additional costs while at university, including (but not limited to):
- Travel to and from campus
- Printing, photocopying, binding, stationery and equipment costs (e.g. USB sticks)
- Purchase of books or texts
- Gowns for graduation ceremonies
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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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TBC