Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Religion, philosophy, and ethics together form a cluster of disciplines that ask some of the most fundamental questions available to human inquiry: what is the nature of the divine, what can we know and how, what makes actions right or wrong, and how should individuals and communities live? These questions are not merely academic; they are live in the political, cultural, and ethical debates of contemporary life, from bioethics and environmental philosophy to the role of religion in public life and the philosophy of artificial intelligence.

Cardiff University's three-year full-time Religion, Philosophy and Ethics programme engages all three areas in an integrated curriculum that recognises how deeply they intersect. You will study the major world religions, examining their texts, histories, practices, and theological frameworks, and developing the ability to understand religious traditions both on their own terms and in comparative perspective. The philosophical strand covers epistemology, metaphysics, ethics, and political philosophy, giving you the analytical tools to construct and evaluate arguments rigorously.

The ethics component addresses both theoretical frameworks, consequentialism, deontology, virtue ethics, and applied questions in areas such as medical ethics, environmental ethics, and social justice, where philosophical reasoning makes a practical difference. Cardiff's location and research profile provide a context in which Welsh and Celtic religious and philosophical traditions are taken seriously alongside global perspectives.

A typical entry tariff of 120 points reflects an accessible programme with serious intellectual content. You will develop skills in critical analysis, textual interpretation, argumentative writing, and the ability to engage respectfully with diverse perspectives.

Graduates pursue careers in education, chaplaincy, the civil service, social work, journalism, the voluntary sector, healthcare ethics, law, and politics. The combination of analytical thinking and cultural understanding is valued in any profession that requires navigating complexity, diversity, and ethical dilemmas. Postgraduate routes include theology, philosophy, religious studies, and applied ethics.