To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
You should have, or expect to get, a 2:1 Honours degree in Philosophy, Theology or a relevant subject like Sociology or English.
If your undergraduate degree is in another subject, you can still apply. We consider every application on its merits, and we’ll consider applicants from diverse academic backgrounds. We also encourage you to submit a writing sample, especially if you've studied a non-humanities degree. This should be around 1500 words. Although it does not need to be a Philosophy or Theology and Religion essay, you should demonstrate your ability to present an argument and write in an analytical style. These skills are necessary for postgraduate level Philosophy, Theology and Religion.
If you have been out of academia for some time, we will accept a professional reference and one academic reference, rather than the standard requirement for two academic references.
English language requirements If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Explore the latest debates at the intersection of ethics and the philosophy of religion. Are there shared human values? Is there a conflict between science and religion? Is life without God meaningless? Gain the tools to find meaningful answers to these questions.
You'll consider ethical approaches from a wide range of religious viewpoints and think critically about theological perspectives and their impact. Developing your skills in presentation and persuasion, you’ll enhance your academic or professional career path.
We offer this programme by distance learning. Find out more about the MA Philosophy of Religion and Ethics (Distance Learning) .
You can study the MA or PGDip full-time or part-time. The MA runs over 12 months full-time; the PGDip runs over 8 months full-time.
September - December (11 weeks)
Full-time MA and PGDip students normally take three modules per term in the first two terms. Part-time students usually take all compulsory modules in the first year and optional modules and the dissertation in the second year.
There are two hours of seminar time per module per week, with an emphasis on guided independent learning.
For MA students, one-third of your degree is your dissertation. You begin planning and submit a proposal for your dissertation during term one.
January - April (12 weeks)
Full-time MA and PGDip students usually take three modules per term in the first two terms. Part-time students usually take all compulsory modules in the first year and optional modules and the dissertation in the second year
During term two MA students are assigned a supervisor for your dissertation and carry out research for your chosen topic. PGDip students don’t complete a dissertation and finish the course in the spring term with 120 credits.
May – August
For full-time MA students, there are no taught modules during term three. You’ll continue your research and writing ready to submit your dissertation at the end of August.
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