Philosophy and Theology

Philosophy and Theology brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding and assessing the intellectual claims of religion, and in particular of Christianity. It fosters intellectual capacities that you can apply across both disciplines, and develops skills which you will find useful for a wide range of careers and activities after graduation.

The study of philosophy develops analytical rigour and the ability to criticise and reason logically. It allows you to apply these skills to many contemporary and historical schools of thought and individual thinkers, and to questions ranging from how we acquire knowledge and form moral judgements to central questions in the philosophy of religion, including the existence and nature of God and the relevance of religion to human life.

The study of Theology brings together a wide range of skills and disciplines, historical, textual, linguistic, sociological, literary-critical and philosophical. It provides a grounding in the theology and ethics of early and of modern Christianity, along with a wide range of options in the academic study of religion, including non-Christian traditions.

The degree is constructed in the belief that the parallel study of these related disciplines provides new perspectives on each, leading to deeper understanding.

The Philosophy Faculty is the largest philosophy department in the UK, and one of the largest in the world, admitting more than 500 undergraduates annually to read the various degrees involving philosophy. Many faculty members have a worldwide reputation, and library and other facilities are acknowledged as among the best in the country.

The Theology and Religion Faculty has more than 100 members, covering almost every possible branch of the discipline, ranging from experts in the ancient languages and literature of the world’s religions to church historians and systematic theologians. Its reputation attracts scholars from all over the world as visiting lecturers.

Philosophy and Theology graduates enter careers including academic teaching and research, school teaching, commerce, banking and financial services, journalism and communications. Recent graduates have secured positions as authors, writers, newspaper and periodical editors and teachers, and include a student at the     Royal Academy of Music, a journalist,     and a marketing executive for a philanthropy adviser. The Theology and Religion Faculty’s website has further information about careers for theologians.

Marc, who graduated in 1981, went on to take an MSc in Computing at Bradford University, now works as Consultant Manager at international services provider Sword Group. He says: ‘The transition from the fascinating, inspiring but unworldly dreaminess of a non-vocational degree to the more mundane but equally exciting world of IT is quite possible. I warmly recommend the transition via a vocational post-graduate course such as I took. I am less technical but more articulate than some of my whizz-kid colleagues, and my more rounded education has given me a broader vision which has been genuinely useful in my career.’

Students interested in this course might also like to consider Classics, Theology and Religion, or Theology and Oriental Studies.