The MA focuses on Cultural Astronomy and Astrology. We define Cultural Astronomy as the study of the application of beliefs about the stars to all aspects of human culture, from religion and science to the arts and literature. It includes the new discipline of archaeoastronomy: the study of astronomical alignments, orientation and symbolism in ancient and modern architecture. Astrology is the practice of relating the heavenly bodies to lives and events on earth. We therefore examine the relationship between astrological, astronomical and cosmological beliefs and practices, and society, politics, religion and the arts, past and present.

The MA is a hybrid of history and anthropology. As historians we pay attention to documentary evidence but are heavily influenced by recent trends in anthropology; this means that modern western culture can be subjected to the same academic scrutiny as pre-modern or non-western cultures, and by questions such as the requirement for the scholar or researcher to engage in practice as part of their study of practice.

The words astronomy and astrology have distinct meanings in modern English. Astronomy is the scientific study of the physical universe. Astrology is more akin to a study of the psychic universe. The split between the two, though, is a feature of modern western thought.

Both words are of Greek origin: astronomy means the ‘law’ of the stars, while astrology is best translated as the ‘word’, or ‘reason’, of the stars, so in the classical world their meanings overlapped. To the Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy, writing in the second century CE, there were two forms of astronomy: one dealt with the movement of the stars, the other (which we would call astrology) with their effects or significance. From then until the seventeenth century, the two words were interchangeable. In ‘King Lear’, Shakespeare had Edgar refer to his brother Edmund, who had been posing as an astrologer, as a ‘sectary astronomical’.

Other terms Shakespeare might have used included mathematician (the astronomer Johannes Kepler studied astrology as part of his duties as ‘Imperial Mathematician’) or Chaldean (both astrology and astronomy were commonly traced to Chaldea, another term for Mesopotamia). Neither do most non-western countries employ different words to distinguish traditional astronomy from astrology.

In India both are jyotish, the ‘science of light’. In Japan they are onmyōdō, the ‘yin-yang way’. In China, the observation and measurement of celestial phenomena was inseparable from their application to human knowledge which, in turn, was divided into two, li, or li fa, calendar systems, and tian wen, or sky patterns. All cultures have ways of visualising the stars, many without a single name for the practice. The title of the MA, whose subject matter includes the beliefs and practices of pre-modern and non-western cultures, as well as contemporary worlds, is therefore necessarily ‘Cultural Astronomy AND Astrology’.

Entry Requirements

Initial inquiries should be directed to the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk). Please let us know your background, including any academic qualifications.

The normal entry qualification is a good first degree (2:1 or equivalent in UK grading) in an appropriate arts/humanities/social sciences area including History, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Theology and/or Religious Studies.

Applicants with a good first degree in another discipline and/or substantial relevant background experience and evidence of relevant study will also be considered following suitable discussion with the Programme Coordinator.

Applicants with a 2:2 degree (in UK grading) will be considered for entry to a Postgraduate Diploma, and will be considered for progression to the MA after successful completion of the six taught modules.

Students with degrees from Universities outside the UK, which do not use the UK’s grading system, should contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk).

In line with the University’s policy, we are committed to consider applications from non-standard candidates without a first degree who can demonstrate their ability to take the course, on the grounds of prior personal, professional and educational experience. Please contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk).

We have two intakes a year, in October and February.

Other Fees

Show Less

The University of Wales Trinity Saint David has significant experience of supporting learners at a distance. As an online learner on the MBA you will benefit from a programme of study that is designed to be relevant to your current work. The programme will engage you regularly with other MBA students as well as you tutors. You will be learning with other people in different locations and in different business contexts, giving you an opportunity to experience a range of different perspectives.

The programme is delivered through our online Virtual Learning Environment where you will get access to all your key learning activities, resources and your learning group using the latest communications tools and social media applications.

Our University support services are on hand to guide you through your studies.

Online MBA programmes currently available:

MBA Leadership
MBA International Tourism Management
MBA Finance and Banking
MBA Marketing
MBA Information Management
MBA Arts Management

Entry Requirements

All applicants will be individually considered for admission using the following criteria:

- Normally, the possession of a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or an appropriate equivalent, i.e. a professional qualification, from a recognised British or overseas institution.

- Applicants must be employed in a suitable type and size of organisation so that they can draw on their professional business context for learning.

- Demonstrably appropriate period of experiential learning and/or similar experience in management, or business, or related employment fields, or related area/discipline/subject experience, or defined voluntary experience or similar. This is normally equivalent to, or comparable with, two years experiential learning. This period is not prescriptive and will be interpreted flexibly as a part of consideration for entry.

- Fulfilling the essential criteria for the admission to the MBA Programmes which is primarily the applicant’s ability to complete the programme satisfactorily and benefit from it.

- Applicants who do not fully satisfy the general criteria will be considered and may be admitted if they are able to demonstrate that they are capable of successfully undertaking and completing the programme at the required standard, and are able to contribute fully to, and benefit from, the learning experiences delivered within the programme.

- There is no requirement for attendance in the UK for the online distance learning programme. International students who may decide to come to the University in the UK must fully meet the requirements of the UKBA.

- Applicants who have been taught and assessed in languages other than English should have an English language equivalent to IELTS 6.0.

- Applicants must have suitable access to computer equipment so that they can access the University VLE.

Admission criteria and entry qualifications for the MBA Programmes may also include the applicant having:-

(i) A non-honours bachelors degree in a business related or cognate subject from a UK university and relevant evidenced experience (normally equivalent to or comparable with two years)

(ii) An honours degree from a UK University in a non-business related or cognate subject where the applicant has evidenced relevant experience (normally equivalent to or comparable with two years)

(iii) An equivalent certificated degree from a non-UK institution to those specified in (i) and (ii) above.

(iv) Non-degree qualifications such as the Higher National Diploma in Business related subjects (e.g. EdExel), or equivalent overseas qualifications, where the applicant has appropriate employment experience.(normally equivalent to or comparable with a minimum of three years)

(v) Qualifications from relevant Professional Bodies, which are at a level below UK Honours Degree and relevant professional experience,(normally equivalent to or comparable with a minimum of three years)

Candidates with significant management, or business, or related employment fields, or related area/discipline/subject experience, or defined voluntary experience, or similar related employment field experience may be admitted to the programme without degree or degree equivalent qualifications if they can demonstrate their potential to meet the learning requirements of the programme.

Advanced Entry with APL/APCL Credit
------------------------------------------------

Entrants with relevant and acceptable professional accreditation will be considered for exemptions.

Other Fees

Show Less

If you wish to expand your knowledge about the history of Ancient Greek and Roman societies at a postgraduate level, then the MA in Ancient History is for you. The Ancient History scheme allows you to study a wide range of modules covering not only fascinating figures like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, but also basic aspects of everyday life, such as warfare and the economy.

The MA Ancient History offers students whose interests centre on the study of ancient history the opportunity to take a specialist higher degree tailored to those interests. Students will take a balance of modules in both Greek and Roman history, and may focus on one or other of the two societies in their dissertation module. The Greek modules cover the archaic, classical and Hellenistic periods; while there are three primary foci for the study of Roman history: the Republican period, the Imperial Roman West and the Roman East, including Egypt and India.

Entry Requirements

The traditional requirement for entry onto a Level 7 programme is a 2.1 or 1st class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply.

Other Fees

Show Less

A degree in Classical Studies gives you the opportunity to study a wide range of modules from mythology to religion and all genres of ancient literature, such as epic, tragedy. As understanding texts in their original language is an essential part of further studies, the study of an ancient language is compulsory.

Entry Requirements

The traditional requirement for entry onto a Level 7 programme is a 2.1 or 1st class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply.

Other Fees

Show Less

If you wish to develop both of your of Classical languages then an MA in Classics is the degree for you. Classics degrees concentrate on the Greek and Latin languages at advanced level, as well as the literature of the ancient world. Existing knowledge of either Greek or Latin at advanced level is an entrance requirement for all Classics degrees. It is expected that candidates would have good knowledge of both languages to study for the MA in Classics. Some students progress from the PGDip in Greek, and the PGDip in Latin, to the MA in Classics.

Entry Requirements

The traditional requirement for entry onto our MA degrees is a 2.1 or 1st class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply. Additionally, for the MA in Classics, applicants are required to have knowledge of either Greek or Latin at advanced level, and it is desirable that they have a good knowledge of both ancient languages.

Other Fees

Show Less