You will find here some tips for getting started as well as a recommended reading list. We've tried to include a variety of different things for you to look at as you begin to acquire knowledge relevant to the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care course.

Modules you study with us include:

Chaplaincy in the mission of the Church 

Chaplaincy and spiritual care

Religion and the common good 

Interfaith dialogue

You can see an overview of the modules by visiting the MA Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care Course Page here.

Study Support

As you embark on your academic journey, you’ll be fully supported to ensure you get the most out of your learning experience. During Induction Week, you’ll take part in specific sessions, meet your module tutors, and have IT and library induction sessions to help you navigate the digital tools essential for your studies. You’ll also be introduced to our Virtual Learning Environment, which will be central to your learning, and be informed about the wide range of student support services available, including dedicated mental health and well-being support. At the outset of your course, you’ll be assigned a personal academic tutor who will guide you throughout your studies, offering both academic advice and pastoral support. You’ll also have access to the Learning Hub, an online platform packed with resources to help you develop key academic skills. The hub has been developed by Learning Developers and Learning & Research Librarians with your needs in mind. Here you will find a range of modules with tips to help you develop your study, academic and research skills.

 

Before starting the course, you are invited to make yourself familiar with a range of relevant internet sources. These should help you find information about the subject, introduce you to ideas and build knowledge you will find helpful in your studies. Some of these websites contain extensive resources for you to explore. They represent different religious traditions, describe the current place of religion in public discourse in the UK, as well as some sites from around the globe.

• This Catholic statement introduces Catholic Social Teaching on the Common Good.
• How can the concept of the Common Good be translated into practice? Explore the website Together for the Common Good, a UK charity dedicated to civic and spiritual renewal.  
• Have a look at the report Keeping the Faith about partnerships between faith groups and local authorities during and beyond the pandemic.
• What do university chaplains actually do? Find out more in this report
• Find out more about chaplaincy and spiritual care in the healthcare system.
• Learn more about faith communities and the environment here and how interfaith dialogue can lead to share engagement for our common home.
• Read and reflect on an important Muslim statement on interfaith dialogue with Christians.

Your welcome and induction will be on Tuesday, 16 September 2025 - we look forward to meeting you then!

In advance of joining the course you are invited to read some of the following books. The list is quite diverse, so please pick two or three which best suit your own interests.

• Bauckham, R.J. (2010) The Bible in Politics: How to Read the Bible Politically. London: SPCK.
• Brueggemann, W. (2021) Journey to the Common Good. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.
• Cocksworth A., Starr R., Burns S., eds. (2023) From the Shores of Silence: Conversations in Feminist Practical Theology. London: SCM.
• Gilliat-Ray, S. et al. (2013) Understanding Muslim Chaplaincy. London: Routledge
• Gorman, M. (2015) Becoming the Gospel. Cambridge: Eerdmans.
• Haidt, J. (2013). The Righteous Mind. London: Penguin.
• Hollenbach, D. (2002) The Common Good and Christian Ethics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
• Ipgrave, M., ed. (2008) Building a Better Bridge: Muslims, Christians, and the Common Good. Washington, DC: Georgetown University Press.
• Maritain, J. (1966). The Person and the Common Good. Notre Dame, ND: Notre Dame University Press.
• Norenzayan, A (2013) Big Gods: How Religion Transformed Cooperation and Conflict. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
• Roberts S., Dunlop S. (2024). Chaplaincy and Practical Theology: Researching a Pioneering Ministry. London: Routledge.
• Rowlands, A. (2021) Towards a Politics of Communion: Catholic Social Teaching in Dark Times. London: T&T Clark.
• Sacks, J. (2020). Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
• Sagovsky, N. and McGrail, P., eds. (2015). Together for the Common Good: Towards a National Conversation. London: SCM Press.

It is useful to note that the University Bookshop offers 10% discount on most titles in print and have some price-beating book bundles. They also price match Amazon on core texts recommended in the module handbooks you will receive when you start in September.