Religion and Theology

Religion and theology addresses some of the most enduring and consequential questions human beings have asked about the world, themselves, and their relationship to what transcends the merely human. Throughout history religion has shaped individuals, societies, cultures, and political movements, and understanding it is vital to understanding the modern world, from the politics of the Middle East and South Asia to the cultural values of Britain, the growth of Pentecostalism in Africa and Latin America, and the philosophical debates about secularism, ethics, and the good life that continue to animate public discourse.

At York St John University this three-year, full-time programme includes an optional foundation year for students who want additional preparation before the main degree. You will study the major world religions, the history of Christian theology, the philosophical questions that religious belief raises, and the ethical debates that flow from them. The programme connects the historical and intellectual study of religion to contemporary questions, developing your ability to engage critically and respectfully with diverse traditions and with the ways religious belief shapes personal and social life.

A sandwich year, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities are all built in, giving you professional experience and an international dimension alongside your academic formation.

Graduates of religion and theology move into careers in education, chaplaincy, social work, community and interfaith work, journalism, publishing, the civil service, NGOs, and a wide range of roles in the cultural and third sectors. The combination of historical knowledge, philosophical rigour, and ethical engagement that the degree develops is valued in any professional context that requires sensitivity to diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, which in a diverse and globalising world is increasingly everywhere. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in theology, religious studies, ethics, philosophy, or education, building towards academic or professional careers in fields where understanding religion is directly relevant.