Magic and Occult Science MA

Program Overview

The MA Magic and Occult Science program delves into the history and interdisciplinary aspects of esotericism, witchcraft, and related topics. It equips students with research-based knowledge and skills in these areas, while also fostering transferable abilities like critical thinking and cultural awareness. The program's emphasis on decolonization and diverse perspectives aligns with contemporary societal concerns.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA Magic and Occult Science is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time program designed to provide students with interdisciplinary expertise in the history of esotericism, witchcraft, ritual magic, occult science, and related topics. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to influence and drive business strategies that make a positive contribution to the environment and society.

Objectives:

• Build interdisciplinary expertise in the history of esotericism, witchcraft, ritual magic, occult science, and related topics.
• Benefit from research-inspired teaching led by top scholars from different fields.
• Participate in monthly meetings and local field trips organized by the Centre for Magic and Esotericism.
• Develop transferable skills, specialist knowledge, and research skills through interdisciplinary teaching.

Outline:

Course Content:

The MA Magic and Occult Science is a unique program that allows students to tailor their studies to their own interests by choosing a range of modules within humanities and social sciences, or by specializing in a certain area.

Core Module:

Dissertation:

• Students can choose to write a dissertation on the ARAM027 dissertation module (Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies) using primarily text-based, historical, or social-science methodologies.

Teaching:

Teaching Methods:

• Interdisciplinary learning
• Research-led teaching
• Practical experiences such as field trips and monthly meetings with the Centre for Magic and Esotericism

Faculty:

• Active researchers with leading global expertise
• Students are co-supervised by two supervisors from different disciplines.

Unique Approaches:

• The program is housed within the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, placing the Arabo-Islamic cultural heritage at the center of these studies and in the history of the “West.”
• Decolonization, the exploration of alternative epistemologies, feminism, and anti-racism are at the core of the program.

Careers:

Potential Career Paths:

• Teaching
• Counseling
• Mentoring
• Heritage and museum work
• Work in libraries
• Tourism
• Arts organizations
• Publishing industry
• Social justice and environmental think tanks
• Spiritual and wellbeing guidance
• Writing and media
• The arts
• Further research

Opportunities:

• The recent surge in interest around topics pertaining to magic and occultism has led to a similar surge in demand for this expertise in many professions.

Outcomes:

• The MA program is designed to develop skills that prepare students for a wide range of professions or further study at the PhD level.
• Students will develop invaluable transferable skills, including creative thinking, analytical thinking, curiosity and lifelong learning, resilience, flexibility and agility, motivation and self-awareness.

Other:

• The program utilizes archival materials, including sources for rites and rituals, meanings of belief, Westcountry witchcraft and folklore, along with ancient and Arabic sources.
• The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum has a large collection of books, ephemera, and artefacts on the history of magic lanterns, phantasmagoria, optical illusions, photography, Victorian magic and music hall performance, with many items relating to séances and Victorian occult activities.
• The Centre for Magic and Esotericism is an interdisciplinary center exploring topics relating to the history of magic, occult and esoteric literatures using a ground-breaking approach by studying many different cultures and languages all in dialogue with each other.

2024/25 entry UK fees per year: £12,000 full-time; £6,000 part-time International fees per year: £24,300 full-time; £12,150 part-time