BA
Philosophy and Theology BA (Hons)
Gain an understanding of what it is to be human by exploring the big questions concerning human life, religion and the universe.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
VV56
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
Overview
Studying Philosophy and Theology allows you to confront and study the big questions concerning human life – questions such as ‘What does a flourishing human life look like?’ and ‘What do people believe about the world and their place in it?’ With numerous areas of overlap, these complementary disciplines are particularly suitable to study alongside each other. The philosophy element of your degree will equip you with the skills needed to think carefully and deeply about what matters in a good life, and how individual happiness is related to friendships, relationships, family, society, the political system and culture. At Durham, you will also follow one of the widest-ranging philosophy degrees in the country equipping you with expertise in Anglo-American analytical philosophy and continental philosophy. Within the theology modules, you will study how human beings have always had, and always will have worldviews and fundamental beliefs about the Universe, and their role in it. This part of the human condition will be studied from a range of methodological and disciplinary perspectives. You can also apply to add a placement year or a year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
VV56
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAA
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
What you'll study
Philosophy is a new subject for many students, so in your first year you will follow a range of introductory courses, introducing the fundamental philosophical subject areas. You will also take a number of comparable introductory modules in theology. In your second year, you will further increase your knowledge by taking two core modules in philosophy and theology. You will also have a wide selection of optional modules to choose from for both subjects. The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep, independently driven, exploration of a topic of your choice.
Core modules
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Ethics and Values
provides a structured introduction to moral philosophy, including applied ethics, by exploring key moral concepts and showing how they influence moral practices and theories. This module lays the foundation for more in-depth learning in the areas of moral theory, issues in contemporary ethics and political philosophy.
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Introduction to Christian Theology
will equip you with a comprehensive map of the major figures, ideas and debates which function as a minimal context for intelligent work in Christian theology. The module also introduces the method of thinking theologically, by habituating you in the thoughts of leading theologians.
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Introduction to the Bible: Texts, History, Culture
introduces important passages and themes in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament. This module models some of the ways in which biblical scholars approach texts.
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Knowledge and Reality
introduces philosophical problems in epistemology (the study of knowledge), and metaphysics (the study of reality and ourselves).
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Reading Philosophy
gives you an understanding of the issues of interpretation and comprehension through a detailed study of four thematically related texts including, for example, Plato's Protagoras, Hume's Of the Standard of Taste, Sartre's Existentialism and Humanism and Murdoch's The Idea of Perfection.
Optional modules
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In recent years optional modules have included: New Testament GreekGod and EvilGod and the Good: Philosophy of Religion and EthicsIslam Observed: Ethnographic Accounts of Muslim PracticeWorldview, Faith and IdentityIntroduction to the History of Christianity
Core modules
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Atheism, Belief and the Edge of Reason
introduces key philosophical thinkers from the early modern period to the present and allows you to develop a capacity for philosophical analysis that is theologically sensitive
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Philosophy of Religion
enables you to acquire an understanding of philosophical issues raised in religion including, for example, arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, and the relation between reason and faith.
Optional modules
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In recent years optional modules have included: Philosophy of MindLanguage, Logic and RealityEarly Modern PhilosophyMoral TheoryCreation and New Creation: Imaging GodScience and Theology: Exploring the InterfaceEarly Christian Doctrine: Trinity and ChristologyTopics in Christian Ethics
Core modules
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Dissertation
The final year includes a on a philosophy or theology topic of your choice in which you research a topic in depth and present your findings and conclusions. The dissertation topic is chosen in consultation with a supervisor, who you will then meet for guidance throughout Year 3.
Optional modules
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In recent years optional modules have included: Applied EthicsIssues in Contemporary EthicsMetaphysicsIssues in Old Testament StudiesThe New Testament and Christian EthicsReligion and FilmEmotion and Identity in Religion
Learning
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, informal but scheduled one-to-one support, and self-directed learning, such as research, reading and writing. The various methods of teaching help you gain the skills, practices and virtues required for independent scholarly engagement with texts and issues. Lectures introduce foundational material while demonstrating an approach to the subject-matter so you can develop your own understanding of the subject while improving your skills in evaluating and analysing information. Seminars enhance your knowledge and understanding through preparation and interaction with other students and staff, promoting awareness of and respect for different viewpoints and approaches. This will help you develop your ability to explain ideas, to advocate for differing people and circumstances, and to dig deeper for the meanings behind information.Assessment
Modules are assessed by essays, some by an end-of-year examination and some by a combination of the two. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on self-directed learning and you will be provided with reading lists, handouts, suggestions for preparation and other online materials to guide you in your independent research. In your final year, you will submit a dissertation, which gives you the opportunity to engage at an advanced level with creative cutting-edge research at the forefront of the discipline, working on a topic of your choice.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£ per year
International / EU Students
£ per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - £ per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - £ per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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Theology and Religion is an exciting and diverse discipline that explores humanity’s views and fundamental beliefs about the way the Universe is, and their role in it. This is the part of the human condition that you will study at Durham from anthropological, textual, historical and ethical perspectives. The Department of Theology and Religion is an inclusive and friendly international teaching and research community where ‘belief’ and ‘beliefs’ are studied in detail, whether those beliefs are atheistic, humanistic or religious. With more than 50 academic staff and an intake of about 100 undergraduates each year, the Department is one of the largest in the UK. Our research-led approach means you will be taught by subject specialists whose interests span many areas. We have a historic strength in the study of Christian thought, history, practice and texts, while offering strong provision in politics, ethics, non-Christian faith traditions, humanism and atheism. Our undergraduate degrees offer flexible pathways to suit your interests and career goals, including the possibility of a work placement or year abroad. We offer a range of activities outside timetabled sessions to complement academic learning: the Department has an extensive series of research-related activities which you are encouraged to attend. These include several research seminars and public lectures from high-profile guest speakers and visiting scholars. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
The Department is based at Palace Green in the historic and picturesque city centre, and within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, colleges, Durham Castle and Cathedral.
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Extensive library facilities
Our library facilities are extensive, and the main University library, the Bill Bryson Library, is only the beginning. The Meissen Library is the largest collection of German-language theological materials in Britain. Some of the College libraries hold theological collections and the Department has some library resources of its own, including Hebrew and Jewish studies. Our neighbour, Durham Cathedral, houses The Sharp Library which focuses on modern and pastoral theology.
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University's Special Collections
The historic library at Palace Green holds the University's Special Collections, including a huge collection of rare books and manuscripts of particular interest to theology and religion students.
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Find out more -
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Philosophy is an ancient and diverse discipline that is fundamental to our understanding of what it is to be human. Amongst the most prestigious departments in the UK, at Durham we pride ourselves on our excellence in teaching and research and we are committed to the pursuit of philosophical knowledge and understanding. Our distinctive, research-led approach to learning means that our undergraduate courses are constantly shaped in line with research and to reflect contemporary study in the area. We offer a range of single and joint honours degrees with flexible pathways to suit your interests and career aspirations. As well as covering more traditional areas of philosophy, such as ethics and values, philosophical traditions and moral theory, our curriculum also highlights the relevance of philosophy to current issues in the world. This includes modules relating to the ethics of science and medicine. You can further develop your skills and experience with the opportunity to spend a year studying overseas or on a work placement. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
The Department of Philosophy is located at Old Elvet in the picturesque city of Durham. We occupy a listed building in this ancient part of the city, near the medieval Elvet Bridge, and within easy walking distance of the Students’ Union, the colleges and Durham’s historic centre with its Castle and Cathedral.
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Events
Undergraduate students are invited to attend the Department’s extensive programme of research-related activities, including weekly lectures and seminars, many of which are given by renowned UK and overseas philosophers. Recent visitors have included Amie Thomasson, Noam Chomsky and Peter Singer.
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Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those UK/EU students who graduated in 2022/23
81%
95%
£30,000
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
More Information
The established Theology and Religion degree programmes are organised to give you a strong and broad foundation across all three of the Department’s key areas in your first year of study.
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