History
The Sophia Centre opened in October 2002 in Bath Spa University with Professor Michael York as its first director. He was succeeded in 2004 by Dr. Nicholas Campion. The centre offered an MA (Master’s) in Cultural Astronomy and Astrology (MA CAA) and was, while in Bath Spa, taught live.

 In 2007 the centre moved to the University of Wales at Lampeter (now the University of Wales Trinity Saint David) and the MA CAA  began to be taught online, opening it up to students from all parts of the world. In addition to the MA CAA, the Sophia Centre also teaches an MA in Ecology and Spirituality.

Branch of astrology
The degree is the only programme in the world to specialise in the study of the history, culture and philosophy of astrology. It also considers all aspects of the relationship between astronomy, the sky, and culture. It does not teach the practice of astrology and is aligned with no school of astrology.

Courses
Both MAs are taught online with live webinars, with an annual summer school held at the University campus in Lampeter.

Admission Requirements
There are different routes into the programme

1. A good undergraduate degree in the Humanities or Social Sciences (2/1 in the UK grading) for entry to the MA.
2. An undergraduate degree in the Sciences: consider the Diploma or Certificate as an intermediary route (see below)
3. No academic qualification: consider the Certificate (see below).
4. Experience, such as teaching, writing, research and non-academic qualifications. We will take this into account when considering your entry level.
   

Enrolment periods and dates
Students can begin in January or September of each year.

Student base
Local and international

Further Information
The programme can be studied full-time in two years or three or four years part-time. Full-time is impossible if you have professional or family commitments so in most cases part-time is recommended. The MA consists of four taught modules (for full details see our web pages) each of

which requires 7500 words of written assessment and 300 hours of study over around twelve weeks.

The MA can be studied either over two years full-time or three or four years part-time. Full-time is impossible if you have family or professional commitments and, in most cases, part-time is recommended.

There are three levels of qualification. The Certificate is gained after two modules, the Diploma after four and the MA after four modules and a dissertation.

As the programme does not teach the practice of astrology, students come into the programme with a wide range of levels of technical knowledge, from basic to complex. Where the programme is unique is in its application of research methods from history, anthropology and sociology to the study of astrology’s claims, theories, philosophies and practices.

The programme content focuses on the Western world, but we welcome and encourage studies of astrology in cultures around the world, ancient and modern,

For students and practitioners of astrology the programme provides an opportunity to study and reflect on astrology’s place and role in the broad sweep of human cultural development up to the present day.