Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Death at The University of Winchester is a rigorous postgraduate programme delivered fully online. Designed for graduates and professionals seeking advanced expertise in interdisciplinary studies, the programme develops both theoretical foundations and applied skills essential for today's competitive environment.
Spanning 12 months, students engage with cutting-edge research, industry-relevant case studies, and practical projects. Instruction is delivered in English by research-active faculty with professional expertise.
The programme culminates in a dissertation or capstone project. Graduates are well-prepared for leadership roles, research careers, and doctoral study in interdisciplinary studies.
Key Program Features
- 100% Online Delivery: Complete all coursework remotely — no campus visits required. Designed for working professionals worldwide.
- Flexible Scheduling: Asynchronous learning options let you study around professional and personal commitments.
- Expert Faculty: Taught by research-active academics and practitioners with deep expertise in Interdisciplinary Studies.
- Diverse International Cohort: Study alongside students from around the world, broadening your global professional network.
- Research-Informed Curriculum: Content grounded in the latest academic research and real-world industry practice.
- Dissertation / Capstone Project: Culminating independent project applying your expertise to an original research question or industry challenge.
- Dedicated Career Support: Access to career coaching, employer networking events, and job placement assistance.
- 12 months Duration: Part-time and accelerated options may be available — enquire with the admissions office.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Death programme at The University of Winchester develop the advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional networks that leading employers in interdisciplinary studies value. Common career destinations include:
- Leadership / Management Role: Apply advanced knowledge in leadership positions across industries.
- Research & Academia: Pursue doctoral studies or an independent research career.
- Consulting: Provide specialist expert advice to organisations in the field.
- Policy & Government: Shape public policy and sectoral regulation.
- Entrepreneurship: Launch innovative ventures leveraging deep specialist expertise.
Graduates have secured roles at multinational corporations, government agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and high-growth startups. Many also progress to doctoral (PhD) programmes.
Program Curriculum
Course overview
The programme attracts a diverse range of students including funeral directors, clergy from a variety of traditions, teachers, nurses and those preparing for a research degree, as well as a range of people who are simply fascinated by the subject. This dynamic group ensures that your debates and discussions are lively and informed by a breadth of interests and experiences. Modules include Death and Pastoral Care in Global Religions, The Act and Art of Eulogy, Visiting the Dead: From Graveyards to Dark Tourism, Is Death a Good Thing? You also complete a dissertation of 15,000 to 20,000 words on a relevant topic of your choice. The programme is taught by a team of highly qualified and enthusiastic staff who include internationally renowned scholars. You take part in structured discussion and debate through electronic forums, and are provided with guided course readings and access to the digital resources held in the University library in order to complete assessments. A visit to a local crematorium, cemetery, mortuary and/or funeral home is an essential aspect of the course. Graduates of the course pursue a range of careers including bereavement counselling, work in funeral homes, teaching and church ministries. This course is based in the School of History, Archaeology and Philosophy .
Admission Requirements
Entryrequirements
A first or second-class honours degree Normally a first or second-class Honours degree or professional experience in the area of study. The course is perfect for anyone with an interest in exploring death as a subject area, and how religion and culture affect perceptions of death, dying and bereavement. No previous knowledge of religion or death studies is required, although some summer reading would help students prepare. If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent Personal computing requirements Due to the Distance Learning deliverance of the course, there are minimum personal computing requirements. Please see the Distance Learning Policy. Course enquiries and applications Send us a message If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk . Applications need to be submitted before the deadline published on the website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to Apply section. Normally a first or second-class Honours degree or professional experience in the area of study. The course is great for anyone with an interest in exploring death as a subject area, and how religion and culture affect perceptions of death, dying and bereavement. No previous knowledge of religion or death studies is required although some summer reading would help students prepare. If English is not your first language: IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in writing or equivalent Personal computing requirements Due to the Distance Learning deliverance of the course, there are minimum personal computing requirements. Please see the Distance Learning Policy. Course enquiries and applications Send us a message If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by emailing our International Recruitment Team at International@winchester.ac.uk . Applications need to be submitted before the deadline published on the website. Late applications can be accepted throughout the remainder of the application year, for more information see our How to Apply section.
Tuition & Financial Information
Tuition Fee
GBP 4,900/year (international)
2026/2027 Course Tuition Fees
| UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland | International | |
| Full-time | £9,550 | £11,820 |
| Part-time | £4,775 | £5,910 |
| Total | £9,550 | £11,820 |
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities
A range of funding options may be available to students enrolling at The University of Winchester. Explore all options early — many scholarships have deadlines months before programme start.
- University Scholarships: The University of Winchester may offer merit-based, need-based, or programme-specific scholarships for postgraduate students. Contact the international or financial aid office for current awards.
- Government Scholarships (): National governments often fund outbound and inbound student mobility. Check your home country's government scholarship schemes (e.g., national student loan bodies, ministry of education awards).
- International Scholarships: Major funders include: Commonwealth Scholarships, Fulbright (USA programmes), Chevening (UK), Erasmus+ (Europe), DAAD (Germany), Campus France, Australia Awards, and many more.
- Employer Sponsorship: Professionals returning to study may negotiate tuition sponsorship with their employer, particularly for MBA or executive programmes.
- Graduate Assistantships / Fellowships: Some universities offer funded research or teaching assistant positions that include a stipend and partial or full tuition waiver.
- External Foundations: Rotary Foundation, Aga Khan Foundation, Ford Foundation, and many discipline-specific bodies fund postgraduate study globally.
- Payment Plans: Flexible instalment plans may allow you to spread tuition payments across the academic year.
About The University of Winchester
The University of Winchester
Winchester, United Kingdong
The University of Winchester is a public research university based in the city of Winchester, Hampshire, England. The university has origins tracing back to 1840 as a teacher training college, but...
University Profile- Application Deadline 2018-01-18
- Start Date 2018-01-01
- Language English
- Duration 12 months
- Credits 60 ECTS / 180 credits (1-year programme)