BA
Theology and Religion BA (Hons)
Come and join us on a journey of self-discovery and explore a multidisciplinary approach to religious thought, practice and scripture.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
V614
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
Overview
What do people believe about the world and their place in it? How do those beliefs shape society and culture? Can those beliefs be critically examined, scrutinised and tested? BA Theology and Religion will teach you how to use the tools of philosophy, social science, history, literature and language to understand human beliefs and world views, past and present. We do this both from within, seeking to test our own beliefs, and from without, as critical observers. We have a historic strength in the study of Christian thought, history, theology, practice and texts, while offering strong provision in politics, ethics, non-Christian faith traditions, humanism, atheism and the social-scientific study of religion. In addition to academic learning, we have an extensive series of research-related activities which you are warmly encouraged to attend. These include several research seminars and public lectures from high-profile guest speakers and visiting scholars; the University also frequently hosts eminent and well-known visiting speakers. You also have the choice of applying 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
V614
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £ per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £ per year
What you'll study
In the first year, modules are provide the foundational understanding and skills necessary for work in theology and the study of religion, including beginning to explore independent research. In the second year, there is a much greater choice of modules to allow you to pursue your own interests within theology and religion by building on the understanding and abilities you have begun to develop in the first year. Amongst other things, you will conduct a guided research project. The third year includes a dissertation that allows a deep, independently driven, investigation of a topic of your choice, alongside your choices from a suite of specialist modules exploring critical questions in depth.
Core modules
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Introduction to Bible: Texts, History, Culture
(scriptural studies) introduces important passages and themes in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament and New Testament, and explains some of the ways in which biblical scholars approach texts.
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Introduction to Christian Theology
(philosophical studies) will equip you with a grasp of the history of Christian theology and provide a comprehensive map of the major figures, ideas and debates which function as a minimal context for intelligent work in Christian theology. The module will introduce the method of thinking theologically, by habituating you in the thoughts of leading theologians.
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Introduction to the History of Christianity
provides an introduction to the history of Christianity and to its relationships with its social and cultural contexts including the representation of different periods, different regions, different social groups such as historically marginalised groups, and different methodologies.
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Research Workshop in Theology and Religion
begins your training as an independent researcher in this subject. You will choose two specialist topics from a list offered (such as ‘Re-writing Scripture’, ‘The Age of Witch-Hunting’ or ‘The Meaning of the Cross’) and work on them intensively in small groups tutored by expert staff, working towards a research project in one of those topics that you will design.
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Worldview, Faith and Identity
outlines established approaches to the study of religion. The module introduces ideas of identity, faith and worldview as foundations for religious thought and practice.
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 Practice.
Core modules
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Research Project and Colloquium
builds on the first-year Research Workshop, as you choose a topic from a list offered and work in a tutor-led small group, each generating your own research project and developing the skills you will need for your final-year dissertation.
Optional modules
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In recent years optional modules have included: Literature and Theology of the Old TestamentNew Testament TheologyDecolonising the BibleDeath, Ritual and BeliefCreation and New Creation: Imaging GodAtheism, Belief and the Edge of ReasonTopics in Christian EthicsChrist and the Human Mystery: Imaging GodSacred India: Land, Politics and IdentityJewish Religion in Antiquity: Belief Systems, Ethics, Political ConflictsTheology and ComedyReligion in Contemporary Britain
Core modules
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Dissertation
In your final year, you will submit a dissertation on a related topic of your choice, approved by an academic advisor. The dissertation allows you to explore in depth a topic of special interest to you.
Optional modules
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In recent years optional modules have included: Advanced Greek TextsIssues in Old Testament StudiesThe New Testament and Christian EthicsReligion and FilmEmotion and Identity in ReligionChristian Fundamentalism and the Modern WorldThe Reformation and its Legacy.
Learning
You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials and study skills classes, developing your knowledge and your ability to undertake your own independent and scholarly engagement with texts and issues. Weekly lectures for most modules will introduce you to the broad questions and current issues in the subject area, and will enable you to develop a clear understanding of the subject and improve your skills in evaluating and analysing information. Seminars will give you the opportunity to engage with the topics introduced in lectures and to discuss key issues in small groups; they also promote awareness of and respect for different viewpoints and approaches, and help you articulate and develop your own views in dialogue with others. You will also be able to get detailed feedback on your essays, to help you improve the quality of your written work.Assessment
Modules are mostly assessed by essays and end-of-year examinations, some by a combination of the two. Typically around forty per cent of your degree is assessed by coursework. Our curriculum places a strong emphasis on becoming self-directed learners. You will be provided with reading lists, handouts, suggestions for preparation and other materials to guide you in your independent research. There are research elements in each year of the degree, culminating in your final-year dissertation, exploring in depth 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 -
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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