Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (Full-time) (PGDip)
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is a unique course that deals with the ways in which human beings attribute meaning to the planets, stars and sky, and construct cosmologies that provide the basis for culture and society.
The course is taught within:
- Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture
- Institute of Education and Humanities
The programme is available either Full Time or Part Time, and as either MA, Diploma or Certificate. For full information, including module descriptions, timetables, advance reading, prerequisites, fees and how to apply, please email the programme manager, Dr Nicholas Campion, at n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk.
Why Cultural Astronomy and Astrology?
We are all creatures of the universe: every atom in our bodies has passed through three stars – we are literally stardust.
For thousands of years, human beings have speculated about their physical, emotional and psychic connections with the sky, stars and planets — and the results manifest across beliefs and behaviour, from spirituality and the sacred to creativity and the arts, and from politics to architecture.
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) is the only academic degree in the world to examine our relationship with the cosmos.
The programme draws on different disciplines from the Humanities in order to gain as full a view as possible of the entire subject. Through history, we look to the past, and through anthropology, we study the present. We also draw on archaeology, sociology, philosophy and the study of religions.
The words astronomy and astrology have distinct meanings in the modern world:
- Astronomy is the scientific study of the physical universe.
- Astrology is the practice of relating heavenly bodies to lives and events on earth.
The split between astronomy and astrology is a feature of modern western thought.
Cultural Astronomy is the study of the application of beliefs about the stars to all aspects of human culture.
It includes the new discipline of archaeoastronomy: studying astronomical alignments, orientation and symbolism in ancient and modern architecture. Astrology also exists in some form in most cultures.
In the MA we examine the relationship between astrological, astronomical and cosmological beliefs and practices, and society, politics, religion and the arts, past and present.
The topics we study range across time and culture. If you study with us, you will examine:
- The cultural consequences and expressions of astronomy, astrology and cosmology
- Collect data on what people believe about the stars right now
- Explore the history of astrology
- Examine the use of the sky, stars and planets in religion
- Investigate ideas about the relationship between soul, psyche and psychology and the cosmos
- Research ancient practices of magic and divination
- Keep a journal of your own sky observations
- Look at how the sky and stars are represented in the arts, literature and film
- Learn how to measure and interpret celestial alignments at archaeological sites
You will be awarded the MA on successfully completing a 15,000 word dissertation based on a supervised research project.
We offer flexible levels of study and students who don’t wish to take the whole MA programme may take one module as an Occasional Students, two modules for a Postgraduate Certificate, or four for a Postgraduate Diploma.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
As a student on the Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA) programme you will:
- Study for an accredited and internationally recognised Master’s degree.
- Be part of one of the UK’s most prestigious universities.
- Have the chance to work from home with no requirement to visit the UK.
- Have access to thousands of online academic papers and books.
- Be part of an international community of like-minded students.
- Study with expert tutors who all have, or are working for, PhDs in the subject area.
- Engage with debates concerning the nature and cultural role of astrology, cosmology and astronomy.
- Engage with concepts such as magic, divination, myth and enchantment, as well as sacred space and the role of the soul in the stars, and our relationship with the sky.
- Acquire contemporary data which will contribute to scholarly understanding of our place in the cosmos.
- Have a chance to pursue your own independent research under expert supervision.
And as a successful graduate you will have:
- Gained an understanding of the role of astronomy, astrology and cosmology in society, through history and in a range of cultures.
- Acquired skills in qualitative research.
- Developed skills in critical thinking and the ability to develop evidence-based arguments in the subject area.
- Obtained a qualification which stands as a worldwide mark of quality.
- Learned how to communicate with academics in different disciplines.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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We listen to student feedback and insights from industry and from professionals to ensure that course content is high-quality and up-to-date, and that it offers the best possible preparation for your future career or study goals.
For this reason, there might be modifications to the content of your course over time, to keep up to date with changes in the subject area or in the sector. If a module is no longer running, we’ll make sure to keep you informed, and work with you to choose a different suitable module.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for assessments and feedback (NSS 2023) meaning the comments you get back from your work will help you learn. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as Top 10 in the UK for Lecturers and Teaching Quality. Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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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.
If you have a good first degree — a BA or BSc — in another discipline and/or substantial relevant background experience and evidence of relevant study then discuss this with the Programme Director.
If you have a 2:2 degree (in UK grading), then we may advise you to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma, and you can then progress to the MA after successful completion of the six taught modules.
If you have a degree from outside the UK, which did not use the UK’s grading system, you should contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion.
If you have no degree then, in line with the University’s widening access policy, we will consider your application based on your previous personal, professional and educational experience. If you fall into this category we will consider your for entry to the Postgraduate Certificate (two modules) and on successful completion of these, you will be eligible to progress to the MA. Please contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk).
Lastly, if you wish to study as an Occasional student then you may fall into any of the above categories.
We have two intakes a year, in October and February.
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Each module is assessed by 7,500 words of written work. For example, some modules require one short essay of 1,500 words and a longer one of 6,000 words, normally due in week 10 to 12. In other modules, the first essay may be 3,000 words and the second 4,500 words, for example.
Assessment requirements, lengths and due dates can vary from module to module. The shorter essays may be a critical review of a piece of writing or be picked from a choice of two titles. For longer essays, there is a wider choice of titles. In some modules, the title and subject is negotiated with the course tutor.
Each is then returned with comments from either one or two tutors, and students are offered the chance to have a tutorial via Skype in order to discuss the comments.
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There are no formal additional costs. However, participation in online classes will require a webcam — about ten pounds sterling or ten US dollars. Some students will wish to purchase extra books (some are required), even though most course materials will be online.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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Most of our students take the MA as an end in itself because they love the subject. Some go on to study for PhDs, either with us or at other universities.
The relationship between all academic work and non-academic employment is always based on potential employers’ appreciation of the generic skills acquired in MA study. Typically, these include critical thinking, communication skills, time-management and the ability to take on and complete independent projects.
The latter quality is particularly prized by many employers. Some of our graduates stay in education either as research students or as teachers: one graduate is teaching at undergraduate level while another, a school teacher, was awarded a promotion and pay rise on her graduation.