Religion PGDip

Course overview

Religion continues to shape our world and our understanding of it. Deepening our knowledge of religious beliefs and practices is essential to responding to some of the greatest ethical and political challenges we face.

On this course you'll explore how religious traditions shape our understanding of the world, and how they sometimes facilitate, disrupt, or otherwise influence society and culture. You'll learn about the relevance of theology, sacred scripture, religious ritual, and faith-based organisations to contemporary issues such as climate change, terrorism, global development, gender, sexuality and race discrimination, migration and diaspora.

You'll also critically interrogate the concept of ‘religion’ in the context of different theories of politics, policy and social change, engaging with hotly debated and contested topics such secularisation, religious identity and representation, religion and the public sphere.

The course draws on academic expertise across the School of Philsophy, Religion and History of Science, including theological, philosophical, sociological and anthropological approaches to the topic. Our academic staff approach religion from a variety of angles, but they share a commitment to studying and teaching religion critically and emphatically as a relevant factor in understanding our contemporary world. We have active links with charitable, activist, community and faith organisations in the city.

As a postgraduate student, you'll be able to participate in our Centre for Religion and Public Life, and Centre for Philosophy of Religion and Theology. You'll be encouraged to join in with our fortnightly seminars and occasional research days, showcasing the work of our very own researchers at Leeds as well as external scholars.

This course can be used for preparing for further research or to develop within any sector where religion or theology is relevant (for example the voluntary, advocacy, NGO, or policy sectors), or simply to further your interest in this fascinating area.

You can study full-time or part-time, and we also offer masters (MA) and postgraduate certificate (PGCert) versions of the course.

Course details

Modules on this course introduce you to key theories and methods of study and also enable you to focus on specific issues, geographical and historical contexts, or disciplinary approaches.

There is flexibility within the programme to take modules from the Schools of Politics and International Studies, and Sociology and Social Policy. If you choose to take the placement module, you’ll undertake a piece of research for a local charity or organisation.

Our wide range of optional modules includes the study of research methods in the study of religion, which will give you the skills to undertake fieldwork as part of your research.

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.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Religion PGDip in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

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

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including written assignments and essays, in-course assessment, group and individual presentations and reports.

Applying

Entry requirements

A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, such as religious studies, theology, sociology or politics, philosophy, or history.

Relevant professional experience will also be considered/taken into consideration.

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.

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.

1. Please explain your reasons for applying to this particular programme in Religion.
2. What specific fields within Religion most interest you, and why? (Have you studied any of these topics already?)
3. Which approaches to Religion (i.e., methods, theories) most interest you, and why?
4. In your academic experience to date, what has prepared you to embark on postgraduate level study of Religion?

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.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025

Contact us

Postgraduate Administration Office

Email: prhs_pgenquiries@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Fees

UK: £8,000 (Total)

International: £17,333 (Total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

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.

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, NGO, charity and third sector, local government, 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.