Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (Full-time) (PGDip)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology is a Full-time distance learning course that explores how humanity has understood and connected with the cosmos throughout history. Run by the Sophia Centre for the Study of Cosmology in Culture, this course delves into how our relationships with the sky, stars, and planets have shaped culture, belief systems, and societal structures across time and place.
This programme offers a unique perspective on our place in the universe by examining the ways people have looked to the heavens for meaning and guidance. From ancient civilisations to the present day, humans have turned to the sky for answers, shaping art, religion, politics, and architecture in the process. The course blends disciplines like history, archaeology, anthropology, and religious studies to explore these deep connections.
Cultural Astronomy and Astrology examines both astronomy, the scientific study of the stars and planets, and astrology, the practice of interpreting celestial movements and their effects on human lives. While astronomy is concerned with the physical universe, astrology explores how those heavenly bodies influence culture, spirituality, and personal experience. Through a multidisciplinary approach, students will investigate how people in different cultures have understood and used these concepts, from ancient religious rituals to contemporary astrological practices.
A significant part of the programme involves the study of archaeoastronomy—how celestial alignments are reflected in architecture, both ancient and modern. You will also look at the broader impact of the cosmos on art, religion, and human psychology, as well as how astrology and cosmology have influenced societies through time. Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to think critically about how these beliefs intersect with science and culture.
Practical engagement is a key element of this diploma. As a student, you will keep a sky journal, record your observations, and explore how different cultures have interpreted the stars. You will also learn how to analyse celestial alignments in archaeological sites. The programme is designed to offer deep insights into humanity’s connection with the cosmos, making it an exciting choice for anyone interested in the cultural and historical impact of astronomy and astrology.
This diploma provides a rich and intellectually stimulating exploration of the relationship between the sky and human culture, perfect for those curious about how our view of the stars has shaped societies, beliefs, and practices throughout history.
Course details
- Distance Learning
- Full-time
- English
Why choose this course?
What you will learn
Our approach to learning emphasises critical thinking, independent research, and interdisciplinary exploration. We encourage students to investigate a wide range of subjects, combining personal interests with academic guidance. Delivered fully online, this course offers flexibility, allowing you to engage with global perspectives on cosmology, astrology, and culture at your own pace.
Over the course, you will explore humanity’s cultural connections with the cosmos. You will study the historical and contemporary impact of astrology, astronomy, and cosmology, gaining critical research skills. Optional modules, such as Sacred Geography or Cosmology, Magic and Divination, allow for deeper exploration into specialised topics. The programme culminates in independent research guided by expert supervision.
Compulsory
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
Optional
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(30 credits)
(10 / 20 credits)
(30 credits)
Disclaimer
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The modules outlined above provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this course based on recent academic teaching. We continuously review our courses to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Where your course includes optional modules, these are to provide an element of choice within the course. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed.
You’ll typically complete 120 credits per year of study on a full-time course. For more information visit our Student Agreement.
Ratings and Rankings
Staff
Our People
You will be taught and supported by a wide range of professional staff and teams here to help you get the university experience you are looking for. Our teaching staff were ranked 2nd in Wales for Teaching, Assessment and Feedback and Academic Support (NSS 2024) meaning that the support and feedback you get will help you learn and develop strong academic skills. Our students have placed us 1st in Wales for Learning Opportunities and Student Voice (NSS 2024) meaning that there are a wide range of opportunities available to enhance your studies and that students play an active role in shaping their learning experiences. Our commitment to your learning has seen our students place us as 1st in Wales and joint 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction (Times Higher Education, 2024, ‘Overall Positivity’ measure). Find out more about our academic staff who teach across our courses.
Further information
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Initial inquiries should be directed to the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk). Please let us know your background, including any academic qualifications.
The normal entry qualification is a good first degree (2:1 or equivalent in UK grading) in an appropriate arts/humanities/social sciences area including History, Cultural Studies, Sociology, Psychology, Theology and/or Religious Studies.
If you have a good first degree — a BA or BSc — in another discipline and/or substantial relevant background experience and evidence of relevant study then discuss this with the Programme Director.
If you have a 2:2 degree (in UK grading), then we may advise you to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma, and you can then progress to the MA after successful completion of the six taught modules.
If you have a degree from outside the UK, which did not use the UK’s grading system, you should contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion.
If you have no degree then, in line with the University’s widening access policy, we will consider your application based on your previous personal, professional and educational experience. If you fall into this category we will consider your for entry to the Postgraduate Certificate (two modules) and on successful completion of these, you will be eligible to progress to the MA. Please contact the Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Campion (n.campion@uwtsd.ac.uk).
Lastly, if you wish to study as an Occasional student then you may fall into any of the above categories.
We have two intakes a year, in October and February.
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Each module is assessed by 7,500 words of written work. For example, some modules require one short essay of 1,500 words and a longer one of 6,000 words, normally due in week 10 to 12. In other modules, the first essay may be 3,000 words and the second 4,500 words, for example.
Assessment requirements, lengths and due dates can vary from module to module. The shorter essays may be a critical review of a piece of writing or be picked from a choice of two titles. For longer essays, there is a wider choice of titles. In some modules, the title and subject is negotiated with the course tutor.
Each is then returned with comments from either one or two tutors, and students are offered the chance to have a tutorial via Skype in order to discuss the comments.
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There are no formal additional costs. However, participation in online classes will require a webcam — about ten pounds sterling or ten US dollars. Some students will wish to purchase extra books (some are required), even though most course materials will be online.
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You may be eligible for funding to help support your study. To find out about scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities that are available, please visit our Bursaries and Scholarships section.
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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.