Quaker Studies MRes

This innovative programme is an exciting way to learn about, and reflect on, the Quaker past, present, and future, whilst also conducting some in-depth research. It suits those who want a systematic approach to Quaker history and theology but who also want to work on an extended piece of research on their own with the support of their supervisor.

Course fact file

Type of Course: Combined research and taught

Study Options: Full time, part time

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time

Start date: September 2013

Details

The aim of this degree is to give you a comprehensive understanding of Quakerism, theologically, historically, and sociologically, and to offer you the training for future research while standing alone in its own right. The programme is also an ideal stepping stone to a doctoral research degree and it is possible to transfer from the MRes to a PhD programme.

It is comprised of the following components:

Why study this course

You will benefit from the knowledge and expertise of The Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies (CPQS), which is a joint venture between Woodbrooke Quaker Study Centre and the School of Philosophy,Theology and Religion at Birmingham. Not only that, you’ll have access to two excellent libraries to draw from, and the option of living and learning in a community at Woodbrooke.

Facts about Woodbrooke

  •  HG Wood, Director of Studies at Woodbrooke in the 1920s, was the first Professor of Theology at the University of Birmingham
  •  Since 1995, Woodbrooke has been involved in postgraduate research degrees in Quaker Studies with the Universities of Birmingham and Sunderland, and with Birmingham alone since 2003
  •  There are over 30 students enrolled in CPQS programmes
  •  The Quaker Studies Research Association (QSRA,) is based at Woodbrooke, as is the Series Editorship of the Series in Quaker Studies of the Edwin Mellen Press
  •  The refereed journal, Quaker Studies, is co-sponsored by QSRA and CPQS.
  •  Woodbrooke is the venue for the QSRA Annual Conference and hosts the prestigious annual George Richardson Lecture in Quaker Studies
  •  With QSRA, Woodbrooke offers new postgraduates in Quaker Studies the chance to apply for the annual David Adshead Award which gives five days resident study time in the library
  •  Every two years, there is a ten-day Quaker Studies Research Summer School
  •  Woodbrooke is based in the heart of Quaker Birmingham in the beautiful Victorian home of George Cadbury and has an international reputation as a Quaker study centre
  •  The Woodbrooke library is the main Quaker collection in Europe outside of Friends House. It carries many first edition seventeenth-century and eighteenth-century books and tracts, includes the unique Bevan-Naish Collection, and has unrivalled 24 hour access for those resident in the college

Birmingham - the City

Birmingham is an exciting environment in which to study.  Britain’s second city and served by excellent public transport and air travel links, it is close to many places of outstanding historical, industrial, and cultural interest including Stratford upon Avon.  People of many cultures and religions live in and around the city and it is rich in opportunities to learn more about other faiths as well as how a cosmopolitan multi-faith environment functions.

In Quaker terms, Birmingham is close to Fenny Drayton, birthplace of George Fox, and Ironbridge where Quaker families were so instrumental in the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.  There is a high Quaker population in and around Birmingham with many Meeting Houses to visit and plenty of scope for sociological work.  Woodbrooke is located very close to Bournville with its model village developed by the Cadbury family and distinctive Meeting House.

Fees and funding

We charge an annual fee. Fees for 2013/14 are currently as follows:

  • Home / EU: full-time - £3,900; part-time - £1,950
  • Overseas: full-time - £12,140

Learn more about fees and funding.

Scholarships and studentships

Scholarships to cover fees and/or maintenance costs may be available.
For further information, visit the College of Arts and Law scholarships page or email financialsupport@bham.ac.uk

International students can often gain funding through overseas research scholarships, Commonwealth scholarships or their home government.

 

Entry requirements

Normally a 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline is required for entry

Learn more about entry requirements

International students

Academic requirements

We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements

You can satisfy our English language requirements in two ways:



How to apply

When clicking on the Apply Now button you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme you wish to apply for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. Further information regarding how to apply online can be found on the How to apply pages

Apply now

Learning and teaching

As well as the access you’ll have to resources within the Department of Theology and Religion and the Centre for Postgraduate Quaker Studies, you’ll also become part of – and contribute to – the vibrant international community of the College of Arts and Law Graduate School, which offers dedicated research resources and a supportive working environment. Our team of academic and operational staff are on hand to offer support and advice to all postgraduate students within the College.

Employability

 

The University of Birmingham has been ranked 9th in the UK and 55th in the world, for post-qualification employability in a global survey of universities commissioned by the International Herald Tribune.

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for employment and this will be further enhanced by the employability skills training offered through the College of Arts and Law Graduate School.

Our Theology graduates develop a range of skills including, critical and analytical ability, textual analysis, and the expertise to write clearly and concisely and to tight deadlines, which be used in a variety of occupations. A snapshot of graduate destinations over a five-year period has identified a variety of career paths, from careers in churches of various denominations to working in education and youth work. Historically, over 96 per cent of our Theology students have been in employment or further study within six months of graduating.