Is the MA Religious Studies a theology master's?

No. The MA Religious Studies is non-confessional and comparative across traditions. Theology is the study of a particular tradition's beliefs from within. Students wanting confessional theology at master's level should consider an MTh or MA Theology at a denominationally-aligned institution; LSJHML's MA Religious Studies is academic and comparative.

Do I need ancient-language reading for the MA Religious Studies?

No. Sacred-text scholarship on the MA Religious Studies is taught with English-language scholarly translations alongside critical apparatus. Students with reading knowledge of biblical Hebrew, New Testament Greek, classical Arabic or Sanskrit can apply it in coursework and dissertation; it is not a requirement.

Can the MA Religious Studies be studied online or part-time?

Yes. The MA Religious Studies can be taken over 24 months part-time or fully online. Online students join the same seminars by video, complete the same coursework, and write the same dissertation under remote supervision.

Is the MA Religious Studies useful for chaplaincy leadership?

Yes — particularly via the interfaith and chaplaincy strand. Several recent graduates have moved into senior chaplaincy coordinator roles in NHS trusts, universities and the prison service. Specific pastoral or ministerial requirements vary by tradition and employer; the MA Religious Studies is a strong academic anchor.

What dissertation topics work for the MA Religious Studies?

Past examples include a comparative reading of two contemporary theological responses to climate ethics, an ethnographic study of an interfaith London community and a critical analysis of religion's role in a specific UK public-policy debate. The MA Religious Studies rewards a tightly scoped, well-sourced question.

MA Religious Studies in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Religious Studies at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree in advanced comparative religious studies for graduates and working professionals committed to research, chaplaincy, interfaith leadership or religion-focused policy work. You will study sacred texts at master's level, work through advanced comparative method, study contemporary religious life with current scholarship, and produce a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation on a religious-studies topic of your choice.

The MA Religious Studies is non-confessional, comparative and academically demanding. Reading lists span the major traditions and current decolonial, feminist and political-theological scholarship. The course is taught with the assumption that religion remains a serious working field in the UK and internationally — and that taking it seriously requires both textual and contemporary literacy.

Key Features

UK-recognised master's degree aligned with British Association for the Study of Religions and Society for the Study of Theology frameworks.
Advanced comparative method across major religious traditions.
Sacred-text scholarship at master's level with attention to interpretive traditions.
Contemporary religious life module covering secularisation, religious nationalism, religion in the public square.
Interfaith and chaplaincy strand for students considering pastoral, interfaith or policy-track careers.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation on a religious-studies topic supervised one-to-one.

What You Will Learn

The MA Religious Studies is structured around the working competencies of an advanced religious-studies graduate — textual literacy at scholarly level, comparative method, contemporary knowledge and clear academic writing. You leave able to engage substantively with a sacred text and its interpretive tradition, design and run a comparative or contemporary research project, and locate your work in current scholarship.

Comparative method at master's level — phenomenology of religion, social-scientific approaches, current critical scholarship.
Advanced sacred-text scholarship — selected texts across the major traditions in dialogue with their interpretive histories.
Religious history at master's level — origins, schisms, reform, modernity across the major traditions.
Contemporary religious life — secularisation, religious nationalism, new religious movements.
Religion and politics — religion in the public square, religious freedom, interfaith dialogue.
Religious ethics — comparative ethics, bioethics, religion and human rights.
Research methods — textual, archival, ethnographic and mixed methods.
Public-facing religious-studies writing — feature, briefing, exhibition copy.

Who This MA Is For

BA graduates in religious studies, theology, anthropology or related fields progressing to master's.
Working chaplains, interfaith workers and religious-affairs journalists seeking advanced academic credentialing.
Civil servants and NGO staff with religion-related remits (faith engagement, interfaith policy, communities).
Career-changers planning research, chaplaincy or interfaith leadership roles.

Career Pathways

MA Religious Studies graduates move into senior research, chaplaincy, interfaith, heritage and policy-adjacent roles. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Researcher (think tank, university, charity post-doctoral progression)
Chaplaincy Coordinator (senior NHS trust, prison service, university)
Interfaith Programme Officer (senior charity, local authority, NGO)
RE Teacher (post-PGCE, senior post-experience)
Heritage Curator (faith-based or interfaith heritage organisation)
Religious Affairs Journalist (senior specialist desk, broadcast)

The MA Religious Studies supports doctoral research in religious studies or theology, or senior practitioner roles.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.