Philanthropic Studies (Distance Learning) - MA 24 months Postgraduate Program By University of Kent |Top Universities
Program Duration

24 monthsProgram duration

Tuitionfee

4,400 GBPTuition Fee/year

Application Deadline

31 Jul, 2025Application Deadline

Scholarship

YesScholarships

Program overview

Main Subject

Public Policy

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Online

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.


Overview

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 two years of fees, regardless of whether they pursue the full MA, PG Diploma or PG certificate.

Program overview

Main Subject

Public Policy

Degree

MA

Study Level

Masters

Study Mode

Online

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.


Overview

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 two years of fees, regardless of whether they pursue the full MA, PG Diploma or PG certificate.

Admission requirements

3.3+
7+
  • 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.
31 Jul 2025
2 Years
Sep

Tuition fee and scholarships

Domestic Students

4,400 GBP
-

International Students

4,400 GBP
-

One of the important factors when considering a master's degree is the cost of study. Luckily, there are many options available to help students fund their master's programme. Download your copy of the Scholarship Guide to find out which scholarships from around the world could be available to you, and how to apply for them.

In this guide you will find:
opportunities

Where to look for scholarship opportunities

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How to apply to scholarships relevant to you

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A list of available scholarships around the world

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A scholarship application checklist

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More programs from the university

Becoming a University of Kent undergraduate is the exciting first step to making your mark and achieving your ambition. We know you’ll love your time here, making the most of our outstanding facilities and soaking up all the experiences on offer. Whatever your interests, whatever your goals, we’re sure you’ll find your place at Kent. We believe in the potential of everyone involved in the University of Kent to make a difference. With every human connection we make, we become stronger, building determination and a community spirit that lasts a lifetime.

A world of opportunities – your degree your way

Kent offers a  wide range of courses  which span the sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities. Whatever your subject and wherever you are located you can access a huge range of academic and personal support services to help you excel.  There's so much more to Kent than lectures and seminars. Make the most of our flexible study options to create the best student experience and get the degree you want. It's your degree so make it your own at Kent. Customise your studies with elective modules, a year abroad, a year in industry and a whole host of extra-curricular courses.

Apply now 

Here at the University of Kent we understand your passion to progress. Whether gaining advanced skills or joining a global academic research community drives you, our networks and facilities will help you achieve your ambition. With a diverse group of peers and supervisors, you’ll be inspired as well as challenged to push the boundaries of current thinking and research. We believe in the potential of everyone involved in the University of Kent, on campus and in our wider community, to make a difference. With every human connection we make, we become stronger, building determination and a community spirit that lasts a lifetime.

We understand that postgraduate students need flexibility, so many of our taught and all of our research degrees offer September or January starts. Many of our courses will consider applicants either holding or projected 2:2 UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, we also offer distance-learning options and short courses. We also offer career-focused conversion courses for those looking for a change of direction.

January 2025 starts - You can start some of our postgraduate degrees in January. If you’re taking a career break to study this could be the best option for you. Find out more about our January intake programmes.

To support you during your studies, our generous scholarship fund includes awards for musical and sporting excellence and exclusive scholarships for international students.  

You can explore various scholarship opportunities at the University of Kent by visiting their Scholarship Search page.

Apply now to take your ambition further.

Social Work - MA

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