MA Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health
- Study Mode: Part Time
- Location: Blended Learning
- Duration: Two Years
- Start Date: September 2025
You can also study this course:
If you are curious about spirituality and its role in mental health and ecology our course can help transform your interests into academic expertise. We offer you the chance to go on an exploration of purpose and attempt to answer the big questions in life, to help make a difference in a more harmonious world.
This course is perfect for you even if you are a newcomer to psychology just wanting to change your outlook, change your career or have an influence on worldwide issues.
This course provides a comprehensive examination of how spirituality and ecology interact with mental health, encouraging you to explore theology and contribute to a more harmonious world.
Benefit from a safe, reflective environment that fosters authentic relationships and personal growth. Our course is delivered by a specialist team of lecturers and visiting experts affiliated with the Centre for Positive Psychology, all passionate about integrating spirituality, ecology, and mental health.
Designed to accommodate diverse student needs, our course offers a part-time, blended learning approach over two years, allowing you to balance studies with personal and professional commitments.
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 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.
I highly recommend this course to those who have an interest in the subject and are eager to delve deeper into its concepts and applications. This course leads you to question your thoughts, beliefs, and behaviours. By participating in this course, I developed a deeper connection and understanding of spirituality, ecology, and mental health.Lesley Lyle
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.
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.
What facilities can I use?
The 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 also have access to recorded lectures and live online seminars.
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.
What are the course entry requirements?
If you want to apply for this course, you will typically have a 2:1 degree or have evidence of the equivalent professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience. We will arrange a brief online chat to discuss any questions you have and ensure the course is for you. We encourage anyone interested in the course to come to our Postgraduate Open Day to meet with our team.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home and EU, Academic Year 2025 - 2026:
- Year one: £2,920
- Year two: £5,570
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit , on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.  
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.  
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.  
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
What are my career prospects?
The new MA Spirituality, Ecology & Mental Health will change how you relate to Yourself, your Life, the World and the Sacred. You will explore your own spirituality and develop an evidence-based, spiritually sensitive approach to living a healthy life and compassionately working with others in any career.
We have reason to expect from the literature for the course to appeal to those wishing to develop a career or obtain an advantage in complementary and alternative medicine, health, care work, nursing, education, counselling, coaching, ecological sustainability, economics, business, civil rights, social justice, community work, social work, leadership and religion, as well as journalism, policing, human resources, arts and legal work.
Some graduates from the continue their education by completing a PhD which would give you the opportunity to develop your skills further whilst researching your area of interest to an even greater depth.
Other graduates have used their degree to start a business, progress further in their current organisation, coach and train others and move into consulting. Our alumni include authors, teachers, entrepreneurs, coaches, academics, HR advisors and therapists.
- Associate Professor
- Course Leader for MSc Mental Health and Wellbeing in Education
- Head of the School of Human and Social Sciences
- Associate Professor of Education & Research
