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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.

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.

Career opportunities

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.