Philosophy and Religion (Full-time) (MA)
The Philosophy and Religion MA programme is a distance-learning course designed for students eager to explore fundamental questions about life and existence. If you’re interested in studying big ideas from both Eastern and Western traditions, this course offers the perfect opportunity. You will explore key topics such as the nature of the self, reality, and religious experiences, while learning about different philosophical and religious perspectives.
Throughout the course, you will look at how Eastern and Western traditions have tried to answer life’s most important questions. By studying Eastern traditions like Buddhism and Hinduism, and Western traditionssuch as Greek philosophy or Christian thought, you’ll see how different cultures and belief systems understand ideas about the self, reality, and the world around us. These traditions have shaped human thought for centuries, and by studying them, you will gain a critical understanding of how ideas about philosophy, religion, and theology connect to real-world issues.
The course allows you to engage with philosophical perspectives and religious perspectives that challenge and expand your thinking. You will look at topics like spirituality, ethics, and the ways different cultures understand the meaning of life and existence. You will also study the concept of religious experiences, learning how they are described, interpreted, and understood across different belief systems.
In addition to exploring the ideas themselves, you will develop skills in hermeneutics—the study of how to interpret texts and ideas. This will help you better understand complex topics and think critically about how religious and philosophical ideas influence culture and society. As you study, you will also explore the idea of traditions of wisdom, seeing how these key philosophies and religions help guide human behaviour and thinking.
This programme is perfect for those who want to learn about the world’s global traditions and how they shape the way we view life, spirituality, and reality. Whether you are new to philosophy and religion, or you have already studied them in some depth, this course will help you gain a deeper understanding of the key ideas that have influenced human thought for centuries.
By the end of the programme, you will be able to think more critically about philosophy, and religion, from a global perspective, understanding how different traditions have shaped ideas about life, the self, and the world around us.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our Philosophy, and Religion course emphasises a flexible and student-centered approach to learning. Delivered online, it combines rigorous academic study with engaging one-to-one tutorials and discussion forums. The program fosters critical thinking, global perspectives, and personal growth, offering an immersive journey through diverse philosophical and religious ideas.
Year 1
In the first year, you’ll explore foundational concepts through one compulsory module and a selection of three optional modules, totalling 120 credits. Modules range from the work of influential philosophers to environmental philosophy, and interfaith interaction. You’ll develop analytical skills, engage with contemporary debates, and deepen your understanding of global philosophical and religious thoughts.
Year 2 (Dissertation)
In the second year, you’ll focus on a dissertation, allowing you to specialise in a topic of your choosing. Guided by expert tutors, this major research project encourages you to apply your skills in critical inquiry, independent study, and academic writing, synthesizing your learning from the taught modules.
Compulsory
Optional
(30 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.
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.
Ratings and Rankings
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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Philosophy & Religion (MA) grounds your learning across a number of different theoretical and practical areas, including the theory of interfaith studies and inter-religious relation, specific geographical contexts, and historical themes and perspectives. This is accomplished through a blend of teaching assessments, including a final dissertation focused on a subject of your choice.
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Distance learners should have good internet access and the use of computer facilities.
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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 will help students to develop skills that are valuable to a wide range of employers, such as the ability to:
- analyse complex information in a critical manner;
- present clear and coherent arguments;
- present complex information in a clear manner.
More particularly, the programme will attract students who are looking to take up future employment opportunities, or are already in employment, in areas or sectors where an understanding of interfaith issues will be of benefit.
It will also appeal to students who are looking towards a religious and/or devotional service, a life of public service, and various voluntary-based projects.