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University of Gloucestershire
Postgraduate research

History, Religion, Philosophy and Politics

MA by Research

Course options

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Study type
Full Time
Course length
2 Years
Campus
Distance Learning (UoG delivery)
UCAS Code
N/A

Course overview

A research degree in the Humanities offers a multitude of opportunities, depending on your discipline, interests, and experience.

History
Offers research opportunities in early modern, modern and contemporary Britain, American and African American history, Russian and Soviet history. A wide variety of topics can be supported: e.g. women and gender relations, domestic, social and cultural policy, popular movements, music, diplomacy, foreign policy and international relations, militarism, warfare and trauma, migration, and local history.

Philosophy and Ethics
The underlying ethos is that philosophy is transformational and practical, and is a living tradition of engagement with the wider world. We offer research opportunities in continental philosophy, Buddhist philosophy, capitalism, and the philosophy of religion and aesthetics.

Theology and Religious Studies
This area has an established pedigree of wide-ranging research with students in UK and international contexts. We have special interests in: social scientific approaches to biblical studies; the socio-political use of biblical texts; New Testament theology; Buddhism; and the study of Religious Diasporas.

Politics
Our politics research focuses on areas of overlap with the above disciplines, where the socio-cultural, philosophical, religious, and/or historical have produced particular political ideas, movements or manifestations.

Study Style

The Humanities subject community offers a stimulating and supportive intellectual environment, consisting of a diverse culture of specialist and interdisciplinary postgraduate research. You’ll benefit from working with a team of research-active and industry-connected supervisors, as well as being part of a research community. Working closely with your supervisors, you will shape a research project which is current and cutting edge in your discipline.

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Entry requirements

    • At least a 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.

    • Your application should include a research proposal up to 1,000 words (excluding references/appendices) which follows the structure outlined in the research proposal guide.

      Applicants should name a member of staff within their topic area who has agreed to supervise them. Staff contact details can be found on each academic school page.

Fees and costs

You're viewing fees for the course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

Start date Course code Fee (UK)
Fee per year
Fee (international)
Fee per year
February 2025 £5,100 £12,775
February 2026 £5,350 £13,425
October 2025 £5,350 £13,425
February 2027 TBC TBC
October 2026 TBC TBC

Ready to apply?

Careers

Our postgraduate research students cultivate a diverse set of skills that are highly valued in the UK and internationally, preparing them for successful careers within academia and beyond.

As a postgraduate research student at UoG, you’ll develop and refine a range of skills across research, academic practice, project management and critical analysis to equip you for your future. Whether it’s contributing to ground-breaking academic research or applying problem-solving skills in the workplace, we’ll ensure you’re ready to take on your next challenge.

This versatility opens doors to opportunities across various sectors, from education and research institutions to commercial organisations and NGOs, where you’ll have the confidence to apply your researcher skills and develop innovative solutions to meet your ambitions.

Can't see your research area listed?

With research submitted in each of our research areas judged to be internationally excellent according to the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), our research supervisors have a broad range of specialisms across a diverse range of subjects.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your research interests by emailing [email protected].

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Established cultural links

We have close links with the local theatre, heritage and festival organizations, as well as religious, philosophical and community groups.

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Internationally-recognised supervisors

Our supervisors have internationally-recognised profiles as academics and writers, providing a multitude of networking opportunities.

Postgraduate student studying

A vibrant community

Be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community.

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