Theology and Religious Studies: Western Esotericism

The Master's in Western Esotericism puts you at the vanguard of a new and exciting development in the study of Western culture and religion, focusing in particular on its esoteric movements.

The Master's programme Western Esotericism focuses on the critical historical and analytical study of esoteric movements in Western culture. Against the backdrop of the Gnostic and hermetic currents of late Antiquity and the history of the so‑called 'occult sciences' (notably astrology, alchemy, magic), you will explore the revival of Hermetic philosophy during the early Renaissance, the so-called 'occult philosophy' and its later offshoots (alchemy, Paracelsianism and Rosicrucianism). The programme will also introduce you to Jewish and Christian Kabbalah and the movements arising from it, theosophical and illuminist currents, and the various forms of occultism and related movements during the 19th and 20th centuries, including the New Age movement.