Program Overview

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Anthropology and Theology & Religion, MA

Overview

Anthropology, Theology and Religious Studies at Aberdeen is a great partnership, adding to your thorough grounding in what it means to ‘be human’ with deeper study of the origin, function, and meaning of religion. You will compare the major and local religious traditions of the world, with a special focus on Christian faith, life and doctrine in its historical and present day context. This programme will open up a wide range of career options, in addition to ministry.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: LV66
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Academic Writing for Divinity, History & Philosophy (AW1007)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Peoples of the World (AT1003)
  • Introduction to Anthropology: Questions of Diversity (AT1502)
• Optional Courses:
  • Latin 1 (LT1009)
  • Latin 2 (LT1507)

Year 2

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Key Debates in Anthropology (AT2010)
  • Reimagining Colonialism (AT2515)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus further 60 credits from level 2 courses in Divinity.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Anthropological Theory (AT3027)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus select a further 30 credit points from Level 3 Anthropology courses and 60 credit points from Level 3 courses in Divinity.
  • Society and Nature (AT3522)
  • Emotion, Self and Society (AT3526)
  • Religion, Power and Belief (AT3534)

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Choose ONE of the following options:
    • Joint Honours Dissertation in Anthropology (AT4047)
    • Dissertation in Divinity (DR4044)
    • Dissertation in Divinity (DR4544)
  • Plus further credits from level 4 courses in Anthropology and Divinity to gain 60 credits in each discipline.
  • Joint Honours Dissertation in Anthropology (AT4047)
  • Dissertation (DR4044)
  • Dissertation (DR4544)
  • Roads, Mobility, Movement, Migration (AT4026)
  • Anthropology of the North (AT4044)
  • The Constitutional Imagination (AT4525)
  • More Than Human (AT4538)
  • The Political Anthropology of Indigenous Rights (AT4547)
  • Anthropology and Art: on Place, Landscape and Materials (AT4548)

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study Anthropology and Theology & Religion?

• Aberdeen is one of the fastest growing Anthropology departments in the UK
• Study at a nationally and internationally renowned university for Anthropology.
• Aberdeen is ranked 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction in Anthropology (National Student Survey 2024)
• Our core staff specialise in regions as diverse as Canada, the Central Asian Republics, Iceland and Scandinavia, Siberia, Scotland and the UK, South America, Tibet and the Himalayas
• We offer innovative ideas and a fresh vision of the subject, with an emphasis throughout on work at the cutting-edge of the discipline and research
• Join the vibrant student anthropology society, which regularly organises academic and social events bringing together undergraduate and postgraduate students with staff outside the classroom
• Aberdeen is ranked 25th in the world for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024)
• Theology & Religious Studies draws on very strong globally acknowledged department within the School of Divinity, History and Philosophy
• All religions are treated on a par and sociological, economic and anthropological topics and considered

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Fees and Funding

• Fee information:
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
  • EU / International students: £20,800
  • Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
  • Home Students: £1,820

Careers

• You have a wide range of career options from studying Anthropology and Theology and Religious Studies.
• You may want to specialist in Anthropology after further study to enable you to teach, research or consult or you may decide to deepen your knowledge in Theology.
• There are wide ranging professional careers you can consider ranging from civil service to other professional specialisms and counselling.

Career Opportunities

• Chaplain
• Civil Servant
• Counsellor
• Development Officer
• Social Researcher

Our Experts

• You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors.

Related Undergraduate Degrees

• MA Anthropology
• MA Anthropology and Philosophy
• MA Art History and Theology & Religion
• MA Celtic & Anglo Saxon Studies and Theology & Religion
• MA Gaelic Studies and Theology & Religion
• MA Theology and Religion