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Christianity & the Arts MA

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Overview

Our Christianity & the Arts MA is unique in being taught in association with the National Gallery in London.

The course investigates how Christian scripture, beliefs and practices have found expression in art for over 2,000 years. It also traces the idea of beauty in Western theological tradition. It takes advantage of King’s exceptional location by exploring art in London’s collections.

Students on the course go on to careers in teaching, journalism or the church, or to further research.


Key benefits

 

  • Enables students to work across disciplinary and specialism boundaries, in particular to explore simultaneously the art-historical and theological dimensions of Christian art (approaches which are generally pursued in isolation from one another).
  • Uses rich cultural resources specifically the artistic, human and web-based resources of the National Gallery in London.
  • Provides opportunities for students to learn in the context of an art museum, with likely additional visits/links to institutions with related collections, like the Courtauld Gallery, and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
  • Enhances the experience of international students at King’s by giving them a stimulating and privileged understanding of one of London’s (and the world’s) greatest treasuries of art.

Key information

Application status Open

Duration One year FT, two years PT, September to September.

Study mode Full-time, Part-time

Credit value UK 180/ECTS 90

Course intake No set number.

Course leaders Professor Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts, ben.quash@kcl.ac.uk 

Further details

Course contact for further information

Postgraduate Admissions Team, Admissions Office
tel: +44 (0)20 7848 7000
fax: +44 (0)20 7848 7200

http://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/contact-us.aspx

 

Course contact form Postgraduate admissions

Awarding institution King's College London

Faculty Faculty of Arts & Humanities

Department Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Locations

 

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Course detail

Description

 

Our MA in Christianity & the Arts features a required module on the Idea of Beauty in Western Theology and a wide range of optional modules looking at different forms of artistic expression and different artistic periods with a focus on specific elements of the Christian narrative. You will also have the opportunity to explore a topic in detail through your dissertation.

Wherever possible the course draws on examples and case studies here in London, particularly the collections at The National Gallery, The Courtauld, and The Victoria and Albert Museum. We will help you to work across disciplinary and specialism boundaries, and in particular to explore both the art-historical and theological dimensions of Christian art—approaches which are generally pursued in isolation from one another.

 

Course format and assessment

Teaching

If you’re a full-time student, each week we will provide six to eight hours of teaching through lectures and seminars. We will expect you to undertake 34 hours of independent study.

If you’re a part-time student, each week we will provide two to four hours of teaching through lectures and seminars. We will expect you to undertake 17 hours of independent study.

We will use a delivery method that will ensure students have a rich, exciting experience from the start. Face to face teaching will be complemented and supported with innovative technology so that students also experience elements of digital learning and assessment.

Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.

Assessment

We assess the majority of our modules through coursework and/or examination, although other departments may differ. Your dissertation will be a 15,000-word thesis.

Location

This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Strand Campus. Our location in the heart of London means that you will have easy access to one of the world’s most culturally rich and diverse cities, with hundreds of galleries and art collections. You will also have access to our own facilities and resources.

Regulating body

King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.

Structure

Year 1

Courses are divided into modules. You will normally take modules totalling 180 credits.
Required Modules

You are required to take:

• The Idea of Beauty in Western Theology (40 credits)

• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Modules

In addition, you are required to take 80 credits from a range of optional modules, which may typically include:

· The Devotional Use of Art in Christianity (20 credits)

· Art as a Theological Medium (20 credits)

· Jesus’ Death and Resurrection (20 credits)

· The Idea of Beauty in Islam (20 credits)

· The Art of Dante's Comedy: Medieval and Modern Perspectives (20 credits)

· Philosophy, Literature and the Human Condition (20 credits)

· Up to 40 credits of other master’s level modules offered outside of the Department, subject to the course convenor’s approval

If you’re a part-time student, you will take The Idea of Beauty in Western Theology in your first year, and your dissertation in your second. You will split your optional modules between these two years.

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Entry requirements & how to apply

Christianity & the Arts Entry Requirements
Minimum requirements  2:1

A Bachelor's degree with 2:1 honours is usually required but not necessarily in a humanities subject. We know that relevant background can be acquired by informal routes and we are delighted to consider all applications.

In order to meet the academic entry requirements for this programme you should have a minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree with a final mark of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. If you are still studying you should be achieving an average of at least 60% or above in the UK marking scheme. 
International requirements    Visit our admissions webpages to view our International entry requirements.
English Language requirements  Band C Visit our admissions webpages to view our English language entry requirements.

 

Applicants without experience in the field could also consider our Graduate Diploma, which is especially designed to ease the transition to Theology & Religious Studies from another subject.

 

Application procedure

Applications must be made online using King’s online application portal apply.kcl.ac.uk and a non-refundable application fee of £70 applies. Your application will be assessed by at least two academic members of staff. We aim to process all complete applications within four to six weeks, although this may take longer in February and March, and over holiday periods.

Personal statement and supporting information

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

Personal Statement  Yes

A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). Please clearly explain why you wish to take our programme, and outline your relevant background experience.
Previous Academic Study Yes A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents.
References Yes One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. In some cases, we may request an additional reference from you.
Other Optional Applicants may wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application

 

Application closing date

We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible. Our first application deadline is the 26th March 2021. After this date, the programme will remain open only if places are still available and will be closed as soon as it is full.

For programmes that remain open beyond this date, the final application deadlines for the following fee statuses are listed below:

  • EU or overseas (international) fee status: 30th July 2021
  • Home fee status: 27th August 2021

Please note, you will not be eligible for an application fee refund if you apply after the first application deadline in March, and we are unable to process more offers as places are filled before the final application deadlines above.

Help and support

If you don't have a suitable qualification for direct entry to a UK university, or if English isn't your first language, our academic preparation courses can help you get ready for study in the UK.

Preparation courses

Fees and funding

  • Full time Home fees: £10,500 per year (2021/22)
  • Full time overseas fees: £23,460 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time Home fees: £5,250 per year (2021/22)
  • Part time overseas fees: £11,730 per year (2021/22)

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King’s terms and conditions.

Deposit

When you receive an offer for this course you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure your place. The deposit will be credited towards your total fee payment.

The UK deposit is £500.

The INTERNATIONAL deposit is £2,000. 

  • If you receive an offer on or before 31st March, payment is due by 30th April 2021.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st April and 30th June, payment is due within one month of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer between 1st July and 31st July, payment is due within two weeks of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer on or after 1st August, payment is due within one week of receiving the offer.
  • If you receive an offer from late August onwards, payment is due within 2 days of receiving the offer.

If you are a current King’s student in receipt of the King's Living Bursary you are not required to pay a deposit to secure your place on the programme. Please note, this will not change the total fees payable for your chosen programme.

Additional costs/expenses

In addition to your tuition fees, you can also expect to pay for: 

  • Books if you choose to buy your own copies 
  • Clothing for optional course related events and competitions 
  • Library fees and fines 
  • Personal photocopies 
  • Printing course handouts 
  • Society membership fees 
  • Stationery 
  • Travel costs for travel around London and between campuses
  • Graduation costs

Please visit our web pages on fees and funding for more information.

Financial help and support

Visit the fees and funding webpages to find out more about bursaries, scholarships, grants, tuition fees, living expenses, student loans and other financial help available at King's.

Career prospects

Our graduates use the skills and knowledge that they develop with us to pursue careers in teaching, journalism, media, museum work and the church, or other religious institutions. Others have continued their studies with further research.

Career destinations

 

 

 

Testimonials

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Rodolphe

I chose King's College London because I wanted to study at a top university. It offers a world-class education as you are taught by renowned teachers in fantastic facilities and this explains its international reputation.

Blue box with King's College London rankings. Starting with, 7th in the UK for research quality. Followed by, 6th in the UK for research power. Concluding with, 4th among multi-faculty universities for research Impact. The source is research excellence framework 2014

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