MA/Diploma Philosophy of Religion and Ethics

Program Overview

Designed for postgraduate students seeking professional or academic careers, the program develops critical thinking, communication, and research skills through a diverse range of modules and an independent research dissertation. Expert supervision and a supportive teaching environment enable students to engage deeply with the material and explore future opportunities in academia or various employment sectors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The MA/Diploma Philosophy of Religion and Ethics program at the University of Birmingham is a postgraduate taught program designed for students who want to explore key issues in ethics and the philosophy of religion in greater depth. The program aims to develop students' professional or academic career paths.

Objectives:

The program aims to help students:

• Explore a variety of questions related to ethics and the philosophy of religion, such as:
• Are there shared human values?
• How do we negotiate different belief systems in pluralistic societies?
• Is there a conflict between science and religion?
• Do people with different religious views have the same morals?
• Is life without God meaningless?
• Develop critical thinking, communication, writing, and research skills.
• Gain a deeper understanding of the philosophy of religion and ethics.
• Prepare for a career in academia or other fields.

Outline:

The program is structured as follows:

• Core Modules:
• God, Freedom and the Meaning of Life:
This module introduces students to philosophical issues relevant to the philosophy of religion, such as freedom and determinism, the existence of God, and the meaning of life. It involves discussions of the writings of central figures in the history of philosophy.
• Bioethics: This module explores ethical issues surrounding life and death, particularly those involved in biology, healthcare, research, and the beginning and end of life.
It covers key debates surrounding theoretical and practical issues in bioethics, including transnational issues like abortion, euthanasia, intellectual property, enhancement, commodification, resource allocation, and infectious disease control.
• Ethics and Global Ethics: This module introduces students to key concepts and debates in ethics, with a focus on the global dimension of current ethical problems.
It explores prominent traditions in ethical theory and applies them to concrete ethical questions. The module also develops critical reasoning and argumentative skills through philosophical discussion and writing.
• Research Skills and Methods: This module provides an introduction to the methods of contemporary philosophy, covering topics like critical thinking in philosophy, reading in philosophy, research skills, dissertation planning, and presenting philosophical arguments in written work.
It also includes online sessions focused on generic research skills.
• Research Methods in the Study of Religion: This module unpacks the core issues of researching in theology and religious studies.
It addresses debates surrounding the design, conduct, ethics, and evaluation of research in a multidisciplinary subject area. It prepares students to carry out independent research and critically assess others' research across a wide spectrum of approaches.
• Optional Modules:
• Students choose three optional modules from within Philosophy, Theology, and Religion, including at least one from the Department of Philosophy and one from the Department of Theology and Religion.
• Philosophy:
• Analytic Theology
• Epistemology
• Topics in Global Justice
• Human Rights
• Philosophy of Mind and Cognitive Science
• Philosophy of Mental Health
• Theology and Religion:
• Approaches to the study of Islam
• Continental Philosophy of Religion: Selected Themes and Issues
• Gender
• Sexualities and Religion
• Theology and Economics
• Critical Thinkers of Modernity
• Science
• Society and Religion
• Atheisms
• Conceptualising God in Christian Theologies
• Interfaith Relations and Issues
• Dissertation:
• Students conduct a piece of independent research with the support of a supervisor, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.

Assessment:

• Core Modules:
• God, Freedom and the Meaning of Life:
One or two written assignments totaling 4,000 words.
• Bioethics: One or two written assignments totaling 4,000 words.
• Ethics and Global Ethics: One or two written assignments totaling 4,000 words.
• Research Skills and Methods: Two 2,000-word essays.
• Research Methods in the Study of Religion: One 2,000-word essay and one 2,500-word essay.
• Dissertation: 15,000-word dissertation.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by a vibrant community of philosophers pursuing original research on a wide range of topics.
• Expert supervision is available for students.
• Teaching on the master-level modules involves mainly small-group seminars, allowing students to engage deeply with the learning material.

Careers:

• The program provides excellent preparation for a future career in academia or other fields.
• Philosophy postgraduates develop a range of skills highly desirable in the job market, including articulacy, precise analytical thought, and the ability to analyze and construct sound arguments.
• Philosophy postgraduates traditionally enter a wide range of employment areas, from teaching and lecturing to social work.
• Employers that graduates have gone on to work for include BBC, Friends of the Earth, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Highways England, Ministry of Justice, and University of Birmingham.

Other:

• The program can be used as a route into PhD research.
• Students are encouraged to participate in the Postgraduate Seminar and PhilSoc meetings to gain insight from academics and peers across the department.
• The program is offered both full-time and part-time.
• Students have access to the Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) and the Bank of Assessed Work to support their transition to postgraduate level.
• International students can access support for English Language development and skills through the Birmingham International Academy (BIA).
• The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report.
• The College of Arts and Law has a dedicated careers and employability team who offer tailored advice and a program of College-specific careers events.
• Students have access to careers support for up to 2 years after graduation.

• UK: £10,530 full-time; £5,265 part-time
• International: £24,120 full-time
• The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.
• Fee status
• Paying your fees
• Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments.
Are you an international applicant? All international applicants to this course will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £2,000 on receipt of an offer, to secure their place. Find out more about the deposit >>. Postgraduate loans Government-backed Masters loans are available to help UK and EU students to finance their studies. For those starting courses after 1 August 2020, loans are available of up to £11,836 for Masters students in all subject areas. Scholarships and studentships Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available. International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.