AN MRes in Applied philosophical studies involves questioning much that is taken for granted by common sense or popular belief, in morals, politics, religion, art, history and science. Consequently, its method is necessarily both imaginative and analytic, the aim being to elucidate concepts and understand varieties of explanation and description in various fields, rather than to rival their proper practitioners in the discovery of facts, the construction of theories or the implementation of ideals. These debates include the values of freedom and equality, human rights and social justice, and environmental ethics, asking important questions such as whether punishment can be justified or whether animals have rights?

Candidates taking this programme will thus be encouraged to view theoretical analysis as an integral part of their daily praxis. This will give them the opportunity to reflect on and critically engage with the ideas and ideals which lie behind and underpin their work.

Candidates will consider the significance of issues in metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethical theory and political philosophy to questions of practical concern such as abortion, euthanasia, suicide, freedom of speech, sexual and racial discrimination, debates surrounding reproductive technologies, genetic enhancement, criminal punishment, the environment, world hunger, and the welfare of future people.

Thus they will be able to choose from a range of modules covering a variety of different themes and specialist areas. The modules are built around the research specialisms of our academic staff all of whom are research active and regularly publish their thoughts and ideas.

Entry Requirements

The normal minimum requirement for admission is a Bachelor’s degree, with good II.1 honours, or equivalent. However as part of an inclusive approach to learning we encourage students from non traditional entry points or without recognised educational backgrounds but who have an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant relevant professional experience to apply. In such cases the programme leader may ask for a telephone/ skype conversation or request evidence in the form of a piece of work, report, analysis of some sort to satisfy themselves that each student is able to fulfil their potential on the course.

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Have a long and distinguished tradition of specialist teaching in Biblical Studies going back many decades and, today, all our Biblical Studies staff continue to participate nationally and internationally in significant biblical research projects.

The School of Theology, Religious Studies and Islamic Studies has a vibrant research culture, and MRes students are encouraged to participate in research seminars.

The MRes programme is delivered as a full-time and part-time programme of study, and is also available as distance learning. It looks in its 60 credits taught element to encourage the student to explore in depth a range of topics relating to the Bible, both from historical and contemporary perspectives. All module content is available through the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and students will be supported throughout their studies through regular access to their module tutors, either one to one (by email, skype, phone), in groups (using media such as Skype), or via VLE module discussion forums or wikis.

Students will be supported through a variety of mechanisms using technology where appropriate, and particularly through the 120 credit Dissertation part of the programme. An annual residential graduate summer school is held for all students in July where students are able to experience lectures and seminars covering both issues related to generic learning and subject-specific information and to engage with a number of our research students.

Entry Requirements

Normally the entry requirement for this programme is a first class or upper second class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply.

A non-graduate may also be admitted to candidature provided that she/he has gained a minimum of three years professional experience relevant and appropriate to the programme and they can demonstrate a satisfactory level of writing /analytical skills

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The School is part of a university which was established in 1822, with Church History having been a core subject in the theological curriculum from the beginning. Drawing on expertise throughout the Faculty of Humanities, our staff has an international profile in scholarship with published expertise in monasticism and medieval Christianity, Protestant nonconformity, nineteenth century and twentieth century religious thought as well as Christianity in Wales.

The School of Theology, Religious Studies and Islamic Studies has a vibrant research culture and MRes students are encouraged to participate in research seminars.

The programme encourages the student to explore in depth a range of topics relating to the history of the Christian church from its inception to the present. There are two parts to the MRes. Part I consists of three taught modules, on completion of which the student progresses to Part II, a 25,000-30000 word dissertation.

The modules comprise Study Skills which introduces students to the basic skills needed to be a successful researcher including how to access and utilize bibliographical resources. Other modules at provide the student with an overview of two key epochs in Christian history, namely the patristic or early church period, and the Protestant Reformation.

The Church Fathers and the Making of Doctrine introduces the way in which Christian faith developed and was formularized by its leading theologians and thinkers during the first five centuries while The Reformation provides an insight into the way in which Christian Europe responded to the challenge of renewal during the sixteenth century and beyond. Other modules cover medieval Christianity (Cîteaux and the Growth of the Cistercian Order and St Thomas Beckett: Archbishop, Martyr, Saint), popular Protestantism during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (The Evangelical Revival in England and Wales), and religion and society during the twentieth century (Christianity, Culture and Society in Twentieth Century Britain).

Entry Requirements

Normally the entry requirement for this programme is a first class or upper second class undergraduate degree. In addition, the School encourages students with an equivalent and appropriate professional qualification or significant and relevant professional experience to apply.

A non-graduate may also be admitted to candidature provided that she/he has gained a minimum of three years professional experience relevant and appropriate to the programme and they can demonstrate a satisfactory level of writing /analytical skills.

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An MRes in Classical Studies gives you the opportunity to study a range of modules on classical literature, and aspects of everyday life in the ancient world. Students study what amounts to 3 taught modules chosen from the collection of modules on the programme, with a requirement that one of the choices be a Research Methods module. The dissertation of between 25000 to 30000 words forms the heart of this programme and allows the student to investigate in depth a topic or area of particular interest to them.

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.

Applicants are required to discuss their proposed research with the School before application, and the proposed research must be in one of the areas of supervision offered by the School of Classics.

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The MRes Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (CAA) is programme that is divided into a 60 credit taught part and a Dissertation of 120 credits amounting to up to 30,000 words in total. The taught element is done via distance-learning, through the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture and amounts to 3 taught modules chosen from the collection of modules on the programme, with a requirement that one of the choices be a Research Methods module. Since the programme is online there is no residency requirement and Students work from home.

The programme gives a grounding in theoretical and practical methodologies of research in relevant aspects of the subject area. After an initial discussion of the nature of astrology, astronomy and astrology, and of the meaning of ‘culture’, we consider various philosophical frameworks. The systems of thought proposed by Plato in the fourth century BCE provide a foundation for the entire western esoteric tradition, as well as for western astronomy and cosmology up to the seventeenth century, and provide a basis for much of the material studied in the MRes We introduce postmodern philosophy, which is believed by many commentators to provide a framework for astrology’s contemporary popularity, and Max Weber’s theory of enchantment, which is used to explain the appeal of myth, magic and divination; what is myth, and what s the nature of divination?

Entry Requirements

Normally we expect a good BA in a relevant subject. However, we would also like to see an example of recent academic writing. If you do not have such an example, or if your first degree is a BSc and did not require essay writing, you should submit a 3000 word academic essay on a topic in the subject area. Guidance is available on this. Essays or examples of academic writing should be sent direct to Nick Campion.

We can also accept students who can demonstrate suitable prior professional or educational experience. Please write to the course director. All students must meet the minimum English language requirements of the University of Wales Lampeter. Applicants whose first language is not English must have an IELTS score of 6.5 or its equivalent. Students who do not reach this level will be required to undertake further English as a Foreign Language study prior to commencing the course. Those students for whom English is a second language and whose BA or MA degree is from an English-language university will not be required to produce an IELTS certificate.

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