Religious Studies

Description

Religion is a vital element in human culture, and today religious issues are everywhere – from current affairs and international events, to the history of ideas, art and literature, and our own immediate experience and environment. Religious Studies at Kent involves investigating and discussing these ideas, experiences, practices and institutions, through texts, films, historical data and directly observing the world today.

Kent offers a range of modules reflecting the central place of religion in human life and thought. Some modules provide introductions to major world religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism and Islam. Other modules investigate philosophical themes within religious studies; and others explore connections between religion and topics such as psychology, sociology, science, ethics, popular culture, films, literature and the arts.

Canterbury is a well-known centre in world religion, and the University has strong links with the Cathedral library and archives, and the Department of Religious Studies benefits from its staff expertise in Asian Studies to give an insight into world religions and its location near mainland Europe to give a truly global perspective on world beliefs.

Independent rankings

Religious Studies at Kent was ranked 5th in the UK in the most recent National Student Survey (2014), with 96% student satisfaction.

Recent graduates have gone into areas such as teaching, publishing, travel, advertising, personnel, diplomacy, social work, journalism, media, marketing and the legal profession, or further academic or vocational qualifications.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)

Part-time:EU:£4500;Non-EU:£6240

Start date September 2015 28 September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Credits Total Kent credits: 360
Duration full-time 36 months Languages Take an IELTS test

• English

Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Part-time, Full-time Intensity Flexible More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

TH341 - What is Religion?

TH342 - Religion in the Contemporary World

TH345 - From: Eden To The End of The World: An Introduction to The Bible

TH346 - Introduction to Asian Traditions

TH331 - Introduction to Hinduism & Buddhism

TH334 - Religion and Sex

TH340 - Gods of the Desert: Judaism and Islam

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

PL601 - Philosophy of Religion

TH598 - Issues in Religious Studies

TH601 - Hindu Religious Thought

TH606 - William James: Philosopher, Psychologist and Scholar of Religion

TH570 - I:Religion and Film

TH571 - I:Death of God ? :Christianity and the Modern World

TH608 - Sociology of Religion

TH611 - The Sacred in Contemporary Society

TH594 - Christianity and Ethics

TH618 - Continental Philosophy of Religion

TH620 - Anthropology of Religion

TH624 - Indian Philosophy of Religion

TH626 - Gods and Government from the Roman Empire to Tony Blair

TH628 - Gods and Government from the Roman Empire to Tony Blair

TH630 - Comparative Literature and Religion of Biblical Worlds

TH632 - Comparative Literature and Religion of Biblical Worlds

TH634 - Mahåyåna Buddhism: The Foundations

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Year abroad

You have the opportunity to study at a partner university for a term or a whole year, to experience an international environment. Religious Studies students currently have a wide range of opportunities in Canada, the USA, China, Hong Kong; with more partnerships hoped for in the near future. You may also wish to pursue a European exchange through the Erasmus Exchange scheme.

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

TH635 - Mahåyåna Buddhism: The Foundations

TH633 - Comparative Literature and Religion of Biblical Worlds

TH631 - Comparative Literature and Religion of Biblical Worlds

TH629 - Gods and Government from the Roman Empire to Tony Blair

TH627 - Gods and Government from the Roman Empire to Tony Blair

TH625 - Indian Philosophy of Religion

TH621 - Anthropology of Religion

TH619 - Religious Studies and Philosophy in the Classroom

PL575 - Philosophy of Religion

TH612 - The Sacred in Contemporary Society

TH617 - Continental Philosophy of Religion

TH574 - H:Religion and Film

TH575 - H:Death of God ? :Christianity and the Modern World

TH577 - Christianity and Ethics

TH607 - William James: Philosopher, Psychologist and Scholar of Religion

TH515 - Theology and Religious Studies Dissertation

TH555 - Hindu Religious Thought

TH558 - Sociology of Religion

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

• A level: BBB

• Access to HE Diploma; The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.

• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma): The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.

• International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall or 15 points at HL

International students

The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

Funding