MA Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

At Buckinghamshire New University you will gain a chance to learn about psychology, philosophy and spirituality, discovering its relationship to nature and mental health within a supportive community. 

We have 3 core goals for this course: We will create a safe, supportive and reflective space in which you can learn and grow as a student community in dialogue. We will foster authentic, trusting and respectful relationships so you can succeed in your studies. We will help you achieve your aspirations for your future so you can make a positive difference to your life and our world, empowered and supported by BNU.

Within the course we are bringing together a specialist team of lecturers, visiting experts and practitioners linked to our Centre for Positive Psychology initiative. These partners have a passion for the area of spirituality, ecology and mental health and are passionate about this unique opportunity at BNU. 

In addition to the great course benefits, we have one of the most highly regarded student unions in the UK. We are regularly voted in the top 5 for student satisfaction in the UK by our students for the high quality of our student union. The union gives you opportunities to join sports clubs, volunteer and get involved with the university all for free. Thanks to the big deal, union activities are free for students and offer you a chance to join societies, sports clubs and explore new interests. We also host music events, trips and night time events. 

What will I study?

If you can bring the passion and commitment to the discussions and your studies, we can give you the grounding and skills you need to apply your knowledge in a meaningful way. Not everyone on the course will come in with an academic background and we all come with our unique talents, perspectives and experiences. Your contribution is important for all of our shared learning journeys.

Together, we will explore spirituality, ecology and mental health from perspectives such as transpersonal, humanistic and existential psychology, as well as ecopsychology, parapsychology, counselling and coaching, complementary and alternative medicine and items from the wider physical and social sciences categories.

We will explore topics such as the varieties of spiritual experience and spiritual practices, the science of meaningfulness, wellness & wholeness, the power of belief, intention & attention, the importance of responsibility, ethics & values, ideas of connectedness, sacredness, discernment & resonance, and models of spiritual transformation & growth, to name a few.

We will draw on new research to uncover wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions: the relationship of spirituality with nature, the relationship of spirituality with mental health, the different pathways to spiritual development and different spiritual worldviews.

Gain the opportunity to apply learning to life by developing an evidence-based approach to spiritual practice at home and work. You will apply your knowledge and skills to creating or participating in community projects in the module ‘Serving Gaia’, as well undertaking a piece of research in the form of a literature-based, interview-based, work-based, resource-based or performance-based project.

How will I be taught and assessed?

Our teaching approach can be characterised by empowering learning through ‘meaningful activity’, ‘learning by doing’ and ‘learning as research’. To this end, you are at the centre of your learning experience and you should get to choose your future development. You will be encouraged to explore the practices and perspectives that resonate with you. We will invite you to become an expert in the topics / fields of your choice, and we will offer you a safe space and the support to learn more about this through our experiences and our shared learning. 

Weekly learning takes place online through recorded lectures, access to resources and live seminars, taking place on weekday evenings. Additionally, there is a hybrid (live online and face-to-face) workshop for each module in the UK, that will typically take place on a Saturday or Sunday.

There are two hybrid workshops each year that will form an opening and closing ceremony. Finally, there will be a monthly programme of graduates / visiting lecturers / practitioners presenting online.

You will be assessed in a number of ways throughout your studies including reflective accounts, media presentations, written essay, research proposal, ‘how to’ video, blogging and your dissertation.

Why study this subject?

Would you like to explore your relationship with your deepest self and live in greater harmony with nature? Does living meaningfully matter to you? Are you wanting to give something back or serve something bigger in life? Our MA in Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health may be the course in which you find the fulfilment you are looking for.

Together we will explore the science, philosophy and ancient wisdom behind some of the biggest questions in life, as you discover your own answers.

This innovative programme involves both a personal journey of discovery and an experiential journey of transformation, taking place in a community of like-minded passionate teachers and practitioners linked to the Centre for Positive Psychology, based within the School of Human and Social Sciences.

You will be guided in deepening your knowledge of spirituality through enjoyable and accessible modules that explore theory, develop practice and invite reflection. You will gain support to apply your understanding of spirituality, ecology, and mental health to your own life and career path. 

We also encourage and enable you to make a meaningful and positive difference to people by creating or taking part in projects in your local community or globally.

What facilities can I use?

The Centre for Positive Psychology at Buckinghamshire New University has a good reputation internationally, so our new course has been designed with students from around the globe in mind.

No matter where in the world you are, you will have access to recommended resources such as books, journals, websites, media, and podcasts, and a monthly programme of live online lectures from visiting experts from around the world. You will have access to recorded lectures, live online seminars and a live hybrid workshop for each module.

As a student at Buckinghamshire New University you will have access to our facilities in person, the main campus is only 35 minutes from London. Hybrid Workshops are often held at one of our professional facilities such as our beautiful Missenden Abbey conference centre in the picturesque town of Great Missenden, which is an idyllic, relaxing, and atmospheric retreat for learning together, should you wish to join these sessions in person.