MA Philosophy of Religion and EthicsThis programme is only available in online mode (No longer recruiting from 2025/26)

Year 1

(Award available for year: Master of Arts)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able:
- to demonstrate in-depth, specialist knowledge and mastery of techniques relevant to the philosophy of religion and/or ethics, and demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of concepts, information and techniques at the forefront of these disciplines;
- to exhibit mastery in the exercise of generic and subject-specific intellectual abilities;
- to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own research and advanced scholarship in the areas of philosophy of religion and/or ethics;
- to demonstrate a capacity for sustained independent enquiry on a theme of their choosing, developed through the dissertation;
- to take a proactive and self-reflective role in working and to develop professional relationships with others;
- proactively to formulate ideas and hypotheses and to develop, implement and execute plans by which to evaluate these;
- critically and creatively to evaluate current issues, research and advanced scholarship in these disciplines.

Transferable (key) skills

Masters (Taught), Postgraduate Diploma & Postgraduate Certificate students will have had the opportunity to acquire the following abilities as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
- the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree and employment in a higher capacity in a relevant area of professional practice;
- evaluation of their own achievement and that of others;
- self-direction and effective decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations;
- independent learning and the ability to work in a way which ensures continuing professional development;
- critical engagement in the development of disciplinary boundaries and norms.

Assessment

Achievement for the degree of Master (taught programme) will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will involve the achievement of the students in:
- evidencing an ability to conduct independent in-depth enquiry within the discipline, especially through the dissertation module;
- demonstrating the ability to apply breadth and depth of knowledge to complex specialist areas in philosophy of religion and ethics;
- drawing on a range of perspectives in these areas of study;
- evaluating and criticising received opinion;
- making reasoned judgements whilst understanding the limitations on judgements made in the absence of complete information.