Religious Education MA 

The MA Religious Education is part of the MA Education programme at the University of Wales, Newport which provides students with the opportunity to have a postgraduate course specifically tailored to meet their individual professional needs. The postgraduate course is delivered by the School of Humanities and Lifelong Learning which is based at the Caerleon campus.

The MA Religious Education course is designed to develop professional knowledge in the area of Religious Education. There are opportunities for students at Newport to study a variety of religious traditions - and are able to benefit from our extensive network of established partnerships with faith groups. This aspect might be of particular interest to those working in the field of education, health or social services wishing to explore issues of diversity and inclusion.

The course also provides progression from the Professional Development in Religious Education course at Newport which is offered in association with the Church in Wales and the Roman Catholic Church. Participants in all areas of the MA Religious Education course include teachers and other education professionals.

The MA Religious Education is a specialist award made up of three compulsory modules, one module selected from any other programme, plus a dissertation.

In common with all of the MA Education programmes, you must take the core module Research Methodology. Three other modules are then selected - the two specialist modules below, and you may then choose one relevant option module from within the MA Education programme.

Understanding Religion and Culture
Provides an overview of religion as found in South Wales and the UK more broadly, supported by visits to faith communities. You also choose a particular faith to study in detail.

Collaborative / Individual Project
Building on knowledge, experience and contacts from the Understanding Religion and Culture module, and with tutor support, you develop your own project focused on a local faith community.

In addition, individual modules from the distance learning MA Buddhist Studies (see page 198) will be available to students taking the MA Religious Education.

Awards are available at Postgraduate Certificate level (after completion of two taught modules) and Postgraduate Diploma level (after completion of four taught modules).

To complete the full MA you will present a 17,000 word research dissertation and a 3,000 word research dissemination plan.

A programme specification for this course is available.

Assessment

Understanding Religion and Culture is assessed by written assignments totalling 3,500 words, and a presentation. The remaining modules are normally assessed by a written assignment of 5,000 words. 

Teaching Team David Norcliffe David teaches on both the BA Religous Studies and the MA Education for Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship. Lynn Foulston In June 2004 she became Programme Leader for the Religious Studies degree and has developed the course, introducing regular study trips to North and South India.

Dr Nick Swann Dr Shirley Egley

Students undertake at least three different visits to faith communities in the South Wales region, plus a visit to faith community elsewhere in the UK if practical.

Where Next?

You could go on to undertake a Masters degree which is required for professional advancement in numerous occupations, and is widely seen as evidence of a successful commitment to high level professional development.  An MA award demonstrates that you have developed advanced level skills in analysis, evaluation and research.

If you are interested in the possibility of a higher degree by research, your tutors will be pleased to discuss the opportunities for doing so here at Newport.