MA Religious Studies

MA Religious Studies is a postgraduate master’s degree that provides students with in-depth knowledge on different world religions, their cultural history, beliefs, behaviours, and religious figures. A postgraduate degree in Religious Studies provides students with a wide range of career opportunities in the public to private sectors. Let’s explore MA religious studies courses, eligibility, top universities and more!

Program Name	MA Religious Studies
Level of Degree	Postgraduate
Duration	1-2 years
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree

About MA Religious Studies

MA in Religious studies is an interdisciplinary field of study that focuses on religious beliefs and practices around the world. The program allows students to understand and analyse the concepts and emotions which encourage religious beliefs and practices, and their role and function in world culture and society.

Why Study MA Religious Studies?

• MA religious studies could be the perfect choice for you if you’re seeking to gain an understanding of the impact of religion and spirituality in the contemporary world and history, and the program will help you develop critical thinking skills. 
• It also paves the way to pursue a higher level of doctoral studies in religious studies.
• MA Religious Studies provides graduates with job opportunities in both the private and public sectors.
• You can get great opportunities and training to undertake field research in religious communities if you choose to study in the top universities.

Syllabus

The Syllabus for MA Religious Studies will vary depending on the further specialization. Some of the MA Religious Studies specializations are as mentioned:

• The Category ‘Religion’
• Theory and Method (the study of religion)
• Indigenous Religions
• Asian Religious Traditions
• New Age Religion
• New Religious Movements
• Holocaust Studies
• Modern Jewish Thought
• Islamic Studies, Classical and Modern

Universities offering MA Religious Studies abroad

From UK to Canada, there are numerous universities offering MA in Religious studies. We have compiled a list of top universities from around the world offering MA religious studies abroad for you:

• University of Notre Dame
• Harvard University
• University of Oxford
• Durham University
• University of Cambridge
• Boston College
• Yale University
• Princeton University
• University of Toronto
• University of Chicago
• University of Edinburgh
• University of Chester
• University of Manchester
• Leiden University
• University of Lethbridge
• Utrecht University
• University of British Columbia
• McMaster University
• University of Calgary

Top Universities for MA Religious Studies India

Program Level	Postgraduate
Duration	2 years
Eligibility Requirements	A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50%
Admission Criteria	Merit-Based Entrance Exam
Entrance exam	JNUEE  AMU Entrance Test
Average Program Fee	INR 20,000 – INR 40,000
Average Salary	INR 2,00,000 – INR 5,00,000

• Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
• Guru Kashi University, Bathinda
• Khalsa College, Amritsar
• Mata Sahib Kaur Girls College, Bathinda
• Jawaharlal Nehru University  
• Banaras Hindu University
• Aligarh Muslim University

University of Calgary

Program Name	MA Religious Studies (Thesis Based Program)
Duration	2 year (Full Time)
Specialization	Western Religions Eastern Religions Nature of Religion
Eligibility	A minimum of 3.3 GPA/ 4.0 over the past two years of full-time study of your undergraduate degree.
Annual Tuition Fee	CAD 8,081 (INR 4,78,032)
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL iBT: 86  PTE: 59 or above

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 University of Chester

Program Name	Religious Studies MA
Duration	1 year (Full Time)
Eligibility	A 2:1 (60%)  honours degree in religious studies and/or theology or related disciplines is required.
Annual Tuition Fee	£13,450 (INR 13,71,446)
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 6.5 or abive

Here’s all you need to know about IELTS.

University of Edinburgh

Program Name	MA religious studies
Duration	4 years (Full Time)
School	Divinity
College	Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Eligibility	The minimum score is 60% or more /GPA of 8 on a 10 point scale in your Bachelor’s study in a related field.
Annual Tuition Fee	£23,100  (INR 23,54,837)
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 6.5.  TOEFL iBT: 92 or above

University of Manchester

Program Name	MA Religions and Theology
Duration	1 year (Full Time)
Eligibility	First or Upper Second class honours degree or international equivalent in a humanities-based subject area.
Annual Tuition Fee	£21,000 (INR 21,41,292)
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 7.0 and above TOEFL iBT: 100 and above

Leiden University

Program Name	Masters of Arts Religious Studies
Duration	1 year (Full Time)
Eligibility	Bachelor’s degree or an international equivalent degree in a related field
Annual Tuition Fee	€19,300 (INR 16,48,680)
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 7.0 or above TOEFL iBT: 100 and above

University of Toronto

Program Name	MA Religious Studies
Duration	1-2 Years
Eligibility	A bachelor’s degree with an A grade in the final year of study from a recognised university or internationally equivalent.
Annual Tuition Fee	––-
English Language Requirements	IELTS: 6.5 or above

Application Process

The application process takes place over a period of time and begins months before the commencement of classes. The universities have two main intakes known as the fall intake and winter intake for international students to kickstart their journey. You can call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked. Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process:

1. Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favourite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one dashboard platform
2. Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates and LORs and exam scores like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc
3. Meet all the applications deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships/student loans
4. Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates and roommates virtually
5. Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university!

Documents Required

Here is a quick checklist of all the important documents required for admission as an international student:

• All official academic Transcripts and diplomas if any
• Passport 
• Visa
• Updated CV/Resume
• English Language Proficiency Test Scores
• Letter of Recommendations  
• Statement of Purpose
• TB Test Certificate (UK Universities)
• Financial Evidence

Cost of Living

The cost of living will depend upon the country you wish to choose for your further education. However, a general amount of living in popular countries is mentioned below:

Country	The average cost of living per month
USA	$1,000- $1,500(INR 75,519 – INR 1,13,233)
UK	GBP 800 – GBP 1,000(INR 81,791 – GBP 1,02,239)
Canada	CAD 1,000 – CAD 2,000(INR 59,247- INR 71,126)

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Career Prospects- MA Religious Studies

As a highly theoretical field of study, Religious Studies encompasses diverse career opportunities in copious employment sectors. The inception of a plethora of courses in this field has lead to the emergence of numerous job prospects and some of the major careers have been given a rundown below. 

Job Roles

• Religion teacher
• Religious Education Director
• Counselors
• Associate Director, Non-Profit Organization
• Advocates
• Community service managers
• Religious studies professors
• Activist
• Author
• Community Developer
• Clergy person
• Charity Fundraiser
• Bible Translator
• Assistant Professor
• Lecturer

Areas of Recruitment

• Schools
• Colleges
• Churches
• NGOs
• Charity Organizations
• Museums

Average Salary

Job Roles	Average Salary in USD
Associate Director, Non-Profit Organization	$73,869 (INR 55,63,480)
Religious Education Director	$60,469 (INR 45,54,252)
Religion Teacher	$45,509 (INR 34,27,533)

FAQs

Are you planning to study MA Religious Studies abroad but not sure where to start? Call our Leverage Edu experts at 1800 57 2000 and book a FREE 30-minutes counselling session today!