Course summary
This programme is the UK’s first Master's in Philanthropic Studies. It is an innovative online course that builds on our expertise and teaching in civil society, fundraising, philanthropy, the third sector and volunteering. Our programme meets demands for better higher educational provision for the charity workforce, as well as demands from donors for greater understanding of the meaning and purpose of philanthropy. It is delivered by academics trained in a wide range of relevant disciplines including social policy, business, history, sociology, geography, moral philosophy, anthropology, law and economics. The programme also draws significantly on expertise from beyond the University, including teaching contributions from leading philanthropy experts, advisers, consultants, grant-makers, fundraisers and strategic philanthropists. The team at Kent is led by Dr Beth Breeze - author of the annual ‘Million Pound Donor Report’, co-author of Richer Lives: Why Rich People Give, and frequent contributor to charity sector and media debates. This programme will be attractive to students seeking a high-level understanding of philanthropy and/or a career in the buoyant philanthropy sector, as well as to professionals seeking an opportunity to reflect on their practice. The programme is distance learning with optional termly study days (recorded for those students who cannot attend in person) at our Canterbury campus. All students pay 2 years of fees, regardless of whether they pursue the full MA, PG Diploma or PG certificate.
Modules
This programme is offered as a distance-learning course, with an optional two-day induction at the start of each year, and one study day per term, held at our Canterbury campus. All course work is completed online, where you participate in online discussion forums and have access to journal articles and specialist materials. We offer a ‘modular’ system so that you can choose whether to study three modules to gain a PG Certificate or six modules to gain a PG Diploma. To obtain the Master's qualification you will complete a 60-credit dissertation module. There is also the opportunity to study any one module as a taster before committing to a full Certificate, Diploma or Master’s programme. Each module comprises: Study days, which will feature guest lectures and question and answer sessions from key academics and practitioners. Short online lectures Short video/audio recordings from key academic experts Short video/audio recordings from a range of practitioner sources Online seminars Weekly guided study using a range of academic sources Student-led discussion using online forums
Assessment method
Participation in ’online learning environment’ forums Coursework assignments Professional documents including strategic plans and critical appraisals Dissertation (supported by regular Skype/telephone meetings)
How to apply
International applicants
Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information for your country. Please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions. English language entry requirements The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level. For detailed information see our English language requirements web pages. Need help with English? Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have a minimum requirement of a 2:1 honours degree or higher in a social science or related subject. Applicants with good degrees in other subjects and experience working or volunteering in the philanthropic or charitable sectors will also be considered. In exceptional circumstances we will consider students with lower grade honours degrees if they can demonstrate significant experience working or volunteering in the philanthropic or charitable sectors. In exceptional circumstances we will consider students who do not have a degree if they can demonstrate significant experience working or volunteering in the philanthropy or charitable sectors. We may in these circumstances ask for examples of recent written work to help make admission decisions. Overseas students whose first language is not English will need to provide evidence that they have sufficient skills to undertake an intensive course of studies in English (i.e. average 7.0 in IELTs test). Candidates will receive a conditional offer with a 6.5 test score in IELTS. All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and experience will also be taken into account when considering applications.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
University of Kent
Recruitment and Admissions Office
Registry
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
Course contact details
Visit our course pageRecruitment and Admissions Office
+44 (0) 1227 768896
+44 (0) 1227 827077