Philosophy of Religion and Ethics MA
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- Online exclusive
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- 24 months part time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in a relevant discipline.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component
- UK fees
- £12,000 (Total)
- International fees
- £12,000 (Total)
- Contact
- prhs_pgenquiries@leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
This course addresses fundamental questions in philosophy of religion and ethics and is taught entirely online.
Drawing on the School’s outstanding research in philosophy of religion and ethics (PRE), you’ll use a variety of online learning resources to explore key issues in the field of PRE. You’ll have the opportunity to consider themes such as: concepts of God; the nature of justice; religious experience; ethics of the environment; the religious and spiritual significance of the arts and our relationship to the natural world.
This online course is open to students from a variety of backgrounds, so if you have a personal interest in philosophical and religious questions, or you want to develop your knowledge of philosophy and religious studies for professional development purposes, this course is for you.
You can also study this course as a PGDip or PGCert qualification. You’ll study the same content as the MA course, but take fewer modules overall.
Scholarships
The University offers a range of postgraduate funding opportunities to help support you during your time studying with us.
Across our faculty, we also have a number of generous awards and scholarships.
Course details
You’ll take a core module in ethical theory, and choose from a range of optional modules on different ethical themes, such as life and death, the environment, and the nature of justice. This will enable you to focus on your own particular interests.
There are two modules in the philosophy of religion strand of the course: a module examining concepts of God and a module examining religious and spiritual practice, and its significance for our understanding of the nature of a good human life.
You’ll also complete a dissertation enabling you to investigate a topic of your choice at length with the support of a supervisor, and to apply the knowledge and skills in independent research that you have developed in the course. You also have the option of taking fewer optional modules and writing an extended dissertation instead.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Ethics: Reasons, Motivation, Obligations and Happiness | 15 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Justice: Fairness, Equality and Diversity | 15 |
| Global Environmental Ethics | 15 |
| Business Ethics | 15 |
| Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Life (Online) | 15 |
| Ethical Issues at the End of Life (Online) | 15 |
| Current Developments in Health Care Ethics (Online) | 30 |
| Philosophy and Spiritual Practice | 30 |
| Concepts of God | 30 |
| Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Dissertation | 60 |
| Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Extended Dissertation | 90 |
Learning and teaching
This course is taught entirely online so you can fit your studies around your social and professional life. You’ll be able to access a wide range of teaching and learning resources through our online learning platform (Minerva) and use the University Library’s online resources for your own independent research.
You’ll also be able to discuss issues arising from your studies with other students through our forums.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
For most modules you'll keep a weekly log, in which you reflect on the study exercises for the week. In addition, you'll make regular contributions to discussion forums and write one or more essays.
The discussion forum contributions and essays determine the final module mark.
Applying
Entry requirements
The normal entry requirement is an honours degree, equivalent to a British BA honours degree (2.1 or higher), in a relevant humanities or social science subject - including subjects other than Philosophy, Ethics, or Religion. Other applications will be considered where there is evidence of relevant experience, background or private study in the field
Our admissions team are experienced in considering a wide range of international qualifications. If you wish to discuss whether your qualifications will meet the necessary entry criteria, contact the School’s admissions team. You can also check the accepted qualifications for your country or region.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Arts and Humanities (6 weeks) and Language for Social Science and Arts: Arts and Humanities (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Please see our How to Apply page for information about application deadlines.
The ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page will take you to information on applying for taught programmes and to the University's online application system.
If you're unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Documents and information you need
copies of your degree certificate and full transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
a sample of your written work (2,000-3,000 words) on a topic relevant to the course. All samples must be typed and in English
a personal statement of around 500 words, in response to the questions asked in the supporting statement section of the application.
Personal Statement Requirements
Please answer the following questions in separate numbered paragraphs. These questions provide us with important information on your suitability for the course, so please complete them carefully and in detail.
- Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular MA programme in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics (PRE)
- What specific fields within PRE most interest you, and why? (Have you studied any of these topics already?)
- Which approaches to PRE (i.e., methods, theories) most interest you, and why?
- In your academic experience to date, what has prepared you to embark on postgraduate level study of PRE?
Please supply a sample of writing. This should constitute a subject related essay on a question of your choice which should be 2-3,000 words in length. Most applicants provide a previously submitted piece of coursework, although you are welcome to write something new or further refine an existing piece if you prefer.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science
Contact us
Postgraduate Administration Office
Email: prhs_pgenquiries@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £12,000 (Total)
International: £12,000 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
Part-time fees
Fees for part-time courses are normally calculated based on the number of credits you study in a year compared to the equivalent full-time course. For example, if you study half the course credits in a year, you will pay half the full-time course fees for that year.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Find out more about funding and scholarship opportunities in the School of Philosophy, Religion and History of Science.
Career opportunities
This course will equip you with a range of in-depth subject knowledge, but it will allow you to develop high-level skills in research, analysis, interpretation and communication.
All of these qualities are valuable to a range of employers across sectors and industries, and we’re proud of our record in preparing postgraduates for their careers after graduation. They’ve gone into roles such as teaching, consultancy, business management, administration, accountancy, law, journalism and the civil service among others.
Many of our graduates also progress to further study, and ultimately pursue academic careers.
Careers support
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Student profile: Sam Hunter
One of the best things about the University of Leeds is how supportive the academics are, as well as how flexible the modules can be. I was able to shape my MA to my own interests.Find out more about Sam Hunter's time at Leeds