MA Philanthropic Studies (Distance Learning)
Canterbury, United Kingdom
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 9,068 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* payable in two instalments of £4,534 per year
Introduction
Gain a high-level understanding of philanthropy to advance your professional development or to gain knowledge and insights that will enable you to pursue a career in the rapidly expanding philanthropy sector. Our program is designed so you can fit learning around your life and work commitments with a flexible course and a variety of study options (MA, PDip, PCert, and Standalone Modules). So whether you are looking to take the first step in your career, or take a step further to reach a new level, our programme is the best way to get to wherever you want to go.
You'll benefit from internationally renowned academic expertise and guest speakers from beyond the University, including teaching contributions from leading philanthropy experts, advisers, consultants, grant-makers, fundraisers, and strategic philanthropists. Tutors include major donor expert Professor Beth Breeze (author of ‘Richer Lives: Why Rich People Give’) and Dr Alison Body (author of tchildrenand Charities: A Decade of Change'). All tutors have a practitioner background and are frequent contributors to the charity sector and media debates.
Kent is a real leader in the field, this programme is the first Master's in Philanthropic Studies in the UK, so you can be assured that our experts will help bring you to the very forefront of the field, keeping you up to date with all the latest developments, so you can make a real impact in your career, and in society as a whole.
Standalone modules
It is possible to study certain individual modules from the MA on a Standalone basis. They provide a taster and introduction to studying Philanthropic Studies, and if you wish to continue studying, you can use the credits from your taster modules to work towards a qualification in Philanthropic Studies (PCert, PDip or MA). Costs for standalone modules can be found on the Kent Online store (please note that you must sapply(link below) before paying for a module on the online store).
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Scholarship value
The award covers tuition fees, return airfares and living costs for a one-year taught Master's programme.
Deadline
Deadline for Commonwealth application: - 12 December 2024.
Hold an unconditional offer (with the only outstanding condition, international fee deposit) of a programme of study from the University of Kent - 31 January 2025
Criteria
To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, candidates must:
- Hold an undergraduate degree at UK first-class level equivalent.
- Be a citizen of or have been granted refugee status by one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed or be a British Protected Person.
- Be a permanent resident in one of the eligible Commonwealth countries listed above.
- To be committed to the University of Kent, you can apply for more than one course and/or to more than one University, but you may only accept one offer of a Shared Scholarship.
- Not have studied or worked for one (academic) year or more in a high-income country.
- Be unable to afford to study in the UK without this scholarship.
- Return to their home country as soon as their period of study is complete. In some circumstances, a student may be permitted to remain in the UK if seeing doctoral study and satisfy certain strict conditions.
- Hold an offer by the deadline for a full-time postgraduate taught degree on one of the eligible courses at the University of Kent:
- MSc Artificial Intelligence
- MSc Infectious Diseases
- MSc Cyber Security
- MA International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
- MSc Applied Actuarial Science
- MSc Conservation Science
- MA English and American Literature
Further details
Commonwealth Shared Scholarships, set up by DFID in 1986, represent a unique partnership between the United Kingdom government and UK Universities.
Funded by the UK Department of International Development (DFID), Commonwealth Shared Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development. They are aimed at those who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK.
These scholarships are offered under six themes:
- Science and technology for development
- Strengthening health systems and capacity
- Promoting global prosperity
- Strengthening global peace, security and governance
- Strengthening resilience and response to crises - Access, inclusion and opportunity.
How to apply
To be considered for the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship you must:
- Make a formal application for a postgraduate degree at the University of Kent commencing September 2025/26. This can be done online here.
- Complete the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) online application process. For information on how to do that and full details of the application process please go directly to the Commonwealth Scholarships webpages.
- Applications will be considered based on Academic Excellence and a completed application.
- The Commonwealth will accept applications until 12th December 2024 (closing at 16:00 GMT).
Curriculum
Stage 1
- Fundamentals of Philanthropy
- Art and Science of Fundraising
- Advising Donors
- Leading Social Action
Stage 2
- Global Philanthropy: Comparative Perspectives
- Research Methods for Philanthropic Studies
- Dissertation in Philanthropic Studies
Career Opportunities
Understanding philanthropy is a crucial skill for anyone aspiring to be effective in a role in a charity or grant-making body or as a philanthropist. The knowledge and skills that you gain through this Master's programme will equip you with an essential and highly practical understanding of the history, methodologies and impact of philanthropic activity.
The distance learning delivery of the Master’s programme enables you to fit learning around your life and work commitments and you have the chance to apply your knowledge as you progress. Each cohort contains a unique mix of experiences and professions, providing a valuable opportunity for information exchange and networking, so you can make rapid progress in your career, without having to take time out.
Our expert academics - who are leaders in the field - are also excellent teachers, who will be able to ensure you develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive after you graduate. Whether you are looking to break into the sector, or looking for that extra edge to take the next step in your career, we'll make sure you can get to where you want to go and hit the ground running when you get there.