The University of Birmingham is a public research university located in Edgbaston, Birmingham, United Kingdom. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Queen's College, Birmingham, and Mason Science College, making it the first English civic or 'red brick' university to receive its own royal charter. The University have a long and proud history of firsts, at the University of Birmingham; they were the first – and are now one of the largest - civic universities in the UK.

At Birmingham, the institution teach and research across the full breadth of academic disciplines, creating a vibrant community with multi-disciplinary opportunities for research and education. The University is a truly international community consisting of more than thousands of staff, students, and alumni. The student community is not only one of the largest of any UK university, it is highly diverse, with 82 per cent of home undergraduate students from state schools, 32 per cent from a BAME background, and 35 per cent in the first generation of their family to attend university.

Core modules
All students will study two core modules which include:

Religion in Contemporary Global Politics
This module focuses on theoretical and conceptual debates about the role of religion in contemporary global politics. Traditionally, the study of political science and international relations has framed the understanding of religion within the context of secularisation and the nation-state. This interpretation is being increasingly contested by the impact of globalisation and the rise of anti-secular movements. The module will critically examine the secularisation thesis as applied to the ‘West’ (developed countries) and the ‘East’ (developing countries) and evaluate the impact of globalisation on collective religious identities. Following an introduction to the theoretical perspectives the course will focus on three particular themes: religious nationalism; religious identities and mobilisation; and religious transnationalism. The module concludes by reflecting on the wider implications for the study of politics and international relations of organised religious movements today.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay

Research Methods in Theology and the Study of Religion
This module unpacks the core issues of researching in theology and religious studies.It addresses debates surrounding the design, conduct, ethics and evaluation of research in a multidisciplinary subject area. It prepares you to carry out independent research and to critically assess others’ research across a wide spectrum of approaches.
Assessment: 4,000-word essay

Optional modules
Certificate students will choose one optional module, while MA and Diploma students will choose four optional modules. Options typically available within Theology and Religion are listed on our postgraduate modules page.

You can also choose up to two of your options from modules available in other Departments. Modules available typically include:

History
Globalisation Since 1945
The Making of the World: Themes in Global History
Philosophy
Bioethics
Ethics and Global Ethics
Human Rights
Topics in Global Justice
Department of Political Science and International Studies
Optional modules are also available from those offered by the Department of Political Science and International Studies:

Optional modules in Political Science

Dissertation or Practice-Based Dissertation
You will complete the programme with a research project.

If you choose to complete a written dissertation, this will be a substantial and sustained investigation of a topic related to one or more of the disciplines being studied, culminating in a 15,000-word dissertation.

The practice-based dissertation is ideal for those who have begun careers and are returning to study after time in employment, or those who are aiming to enhance their employability by making links within different professions. It offers a more applied, contextualised approach to independent research than the more traditional dissertation route. In addition to completing 100 hours on placement, you are asked to produce one of the following:

A 10,000-word dissertation critically analysing and evaluating reflecting on an aspect of the approach and/or work of the institution hosting the placement.
Or

A report or a piece of relevant research, or another form of media output for the placement host. This will be decided in conjunction with your dissertation supervisor and placement host supervisor.
Please note that the optional module information listed on the website for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

• Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
• Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it