BA Religions, Theology and Ethics / Course details

Our BA Religions, Theology and Ethics course will enable you to engage with a wide range of traditions and beliefs, covering all periods up to the present day.

We offer one of the widest ranges of course units at any British university. You can study ancient languages to read scriptures in their original languages, learn about Buddhist, Jewish and Islamic traditions, pursue an interest in the Bible or Christian theology, or discover the different approaches to religion offered by sociology, anthropology and philosophy.

Whether or not you have a religious background, the study of the beliefs, philosophies, practices, policies, ethics and values which have defined our civilisations over hundreds of years provides insight into one of the most fascinating aspects of the human psyche.

You'll explore topics crucial to understanding the shape of our current multicultural society - from religion, culture and gender to Holocaust theory, from sacred spaces to apocalyptic expectation.

Courses you can study cover Islam, Judaism and Christianity, Japanese religious world views, and include theology, history and biblical studies

We aim to:

• provide a multidisciplinary curriculum informed by the research and scholarly activities of the teaching staff;
• stimulate curiosity about a variety of religious cultures, their histories and the present condition;
• enable you to analyse and evaluate a range of political, social and cultural practices using methodologies drawn from the disciplines of Religious Studies;
• develop your critical understanding of religion, theology and the various approaches to studying this discipline through a diverse range of learning, teaching and assessment methods;
• equip you with the skills necessary to interpret primary and secondary sources related to an in-depth study of texts, religious practices and traditions;
• provide, when required, appropriate language instruction;
• equip you for a variety of careers through subject specific knowledge, active engagement in your own learning and the development of analytical and other transferable skills.

Placement year option

Apply your subject-specific knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year in your third year of study, enabling you to enhance your employment prospects, clarify your career goals and build your external networks.

Learn in a multi-faith city

You will have the opportunity to engage with living religious traditions in a contemporary context in one of the most religiously-diverse and dynamic cities in the UK.

Study abroad

You may apply to spend one semester  studying abroad  during the second year of your degree. Exchange partners are offered through the Erasmus Exchange scheme (in Europe) and the Worldwide Exchange Scheme (eg USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore).

Read scriptures in their original language

You can study ancient Hebrew or Greek as part of your course.

Study an additional subject

Flexible Honours  may allow you to study an additional arts, languages or cultures subject. 

Connect with like-minded students

Join one of our student societies to further explore your interests, including the Religions and Theology Society, an inclusive community that plans academic and social activities from first year through to postgraduate level.

You'll be exposed to traditional and innovative teaching and learning methods. You may have the opportunity to conduct research among Manchester's various multi-faith communities.

These methods include:

• lectures
• seminars
• one-to-one meetings
• small group tutorials
• research workshops.

A number of units may offer 'outward facing' assessment, in which students work with mentors to produce resources that can be used outside of an academic context, such as blogs and guides.

Assessment includes:

• recital
• written coursework (eg essays, literature reviews and a 12,000-word dissertation)
• examinations
• e-learning activities
• group projects/presentations

I loved studying Religions and Theology. The number of courses available means you can really tailor your studies to your interests. Some of the lecturers are world leaders in their field, and it's an amazing opportunity to have such fantastic input into your learning.

Samuel Cresswell, Religions and Theology BA 

Our most distinctive research resource is The John Rylands Library - an internationally renowned resource which holds one of the finest collections of rare books, manuscripts and archives in the world.

As well as an excellent general collection of books on Religions and Theology and related areas, the library houses many collections of world importance. You will find a substantial collection of papyri, such as the oldest manuscript fragment of a New Testament book, alongside several major archives, including the Methodist archive with a large number of original documents.

Find out more on the  Facilities  page.