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- UCAS course code
- VV35
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Overview
- Degree awarded
- Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Duration
- 3 years
- Typical A-level offer
-
AAB.
- Typical contextual A-level offer
-
ABBFind out more about contextual admissions.
- Refugee/care-experienced offer
-
Applicants who have been in local authority care for more than three months or have refugee status may be eligible for an offer two grades below the standard requirements.Find out more about contextual admissions.
- Typical International Baccalaureate offer
-
35 points overall, with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects
- How to apply
- Apply through UCAS
- UCAS course code
- VV35
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course overview
- Work across the disciplines of philosophy and religion in a joint degree.
- Gain a rigorous grounding in the main areas of philosophical and theological thinking.
- Explore the works of key academics in religions and both continental and analytical philosophy.
- Study at a top 10 UK university for Religions and Theology (Guardian University Guide 2023).
Open days
Please see open days for dates, registration, and other information.
If you're a prospective student, you can also find out more about student life by chatting with our student ambassadors at a time that suits you, and ask any questions you may have about life at Manchester.
Fees
Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2024 will be £9,250 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £25,500 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.
Policy on additional costs
All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).
Contact details
- School/Faculty
- School of Arts, Languages and Cultures
- Telephone
- 0161 509 2871
- ug-religions@manchester.ac.uk
- School/Faculty overview
-
See: About us
Courses in related subject areas
Use the links below to view lists of courses in related subject areas.
Compare this course
Entry requirements
A-level
AAB
The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB at A-level plus the Extended Project at Grade A.
Contextual offer
ABB for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria. For further information and to check eligibility visit our Contextual Offers page.
AS-level
Unit grade information
GCSE
Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade C or 4 in GCSE/iGCSE English Language and Mathematics. GCSE/iGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/iGCSE English Language.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
International Baccalaureate
Other international entry requirements
Scottish requirements
Two Advanced Highers at AB, plus one additional Higher at A in a Humanities subejct.
English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Welsh Baccalaureate
The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
European Baccalaureate
80% with a mark of 8.0 in at least one essay-based subject.
AQA Baccalaureate
In making offers, the University will focus on the three A Levels taken within the AQA Baccalaureate. Students need to check the standard A Level requirements for their chosen course.
The units of broader study, enrichment activities and the Extended Project are considered to be valuable elements of the AQA Baccalaureate and we would therefore strongly encourage students to draw upon these experiences within their personal statement.
Foundation year
The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:
Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve AAB and an EAP score of A with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.
Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve AAB and an EAP score of A with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.
Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic School to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.
Pearson BTEC qualifications
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we require Distinction / Distinction / Distinction.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we require Distinction / Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A, preferably in a Humanities subject.
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we require a Distinction plus an A-level at min. Grade A in an essay-based subject (such as English or History) plus an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
BTEC National Extended Certificate: we require a Distinction, plus two A-levels at Grades AB; one of the A-levels should be in a Humanities subject.
OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD plus an A Level at grade B in an essay-based subject such as English or History.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades D*D plus an A-level at min. Grade B in an essay-based subject (such as English or History) plus an EPQ or AS at Grade B.
Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of EITHER the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D* plus two A Levels at grades BB, OR full Tech Ext Cert Grade D plus two A-levels at Grades AB. In both cases, at least one of the A-levels should be in an essay-based subject such as English or History.
Access to HE Diploma
We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.
We require a minimum of 39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. 15 of the Distinction credits should be in any pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.
Further specific course requirements are either GCSEs in both English and Mathematics (at Grade B/6 or higher), or achievement at Level 2 (GCSE-equivalent) by, for example, having six credits each in English and Maths. We also consider other factors such as additional educational achievements, life experience and skills on an individual basis.
Cambridge Pre-U
We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.
Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve a combination of D3, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB at A level in three distinct subjects.
If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
The University recognises the benefit of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. For this programme, as well as the regular conditions of offer, we may make students who are currently taking or completed the EPQ an alternative offer. For this course it would be ABB at A-level plus the Extended Project at Grade A.
Core Maths
The University welcomes and recognises the value of Level 3 core mathematics qualifications (e.g. AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies).
Core Mathematics is not a compulsory element of post-16 study and as a result we will not normally include it in the conditions of any offer made to the student. However, if a student chooses to undertake a core mathematics qualification this may be taken into account when we consider their application, particularly for certain non-science courses with a distinct mathematical or statistical element.
We advise students to contact the academic School, who will clarify whether their specific portfolio of qualifications is acceptable for entry on to their chosen course.
Home-schooled applicants
If you have followed a non-standard educational route and have been, for example, educated at home, your application will be considered against the standard entry criteria of the course to which you applied. You will be required to demonstrate that you meet the academic entry requirements as specified for the course. We will also require a reference which should be written by somebody who knows you well enough, in an official capacity, to write about you and your suitability for higher education. Please refer to UCAS for further information: UCAS reference guidelines
Non-standard educational routes
English language
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is either:
- GCSE/iGCSE English Language grade C/4 or;
- IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component, or;
- An acceptable equivalent qualification.
Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification.
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'.
Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level. Further information about our English Language policy, including a list of some of the English Language qualifications we accept, can be found here .
English language test validity
Application and selection
How to apply
Advice to applicants
How your application is considered
Returning to education
Deferrals
Re-applications
Transfers
We will consider applications to transfer to Manchester from other universities and would normally ask for a letter explaining why a transfer was needed, relevant transcripts, a copy of the applicant's UCAS form and a confidential reference from one of the applicant's current university tutors.
We will consider applications to transfer from other degrees within the University of Manchester but applicants are required to have the A-level grades (or other qualifications) needed for entry to that degree programme.
Transfers are subject to our having enough places to accommodate such applicants. Enquiries should be made to the admissions administrator for the subject (see contact details).
Course details
Course description
This joint degree offers the best of both Philosophical and Religious Studies.
You will study the sacred texts and world philosophies taught by various religious traditions, alongside the writings of some of the greatest world philosophers.
You will explore fascinating debates concerning human nature, conceptions of the divine, belief and doubt, existence, truth, and you'll reflect on the ways we think we know what we know.
You will also learn a variety of methods for approaching such profound questions, and Manchester's emphasis is distinctive: for Religious Studies, we offer the opportunity to study a diversity of religious traditions and their texts, with special emphasis on their real-world impact and for Philosophy we offer both Analytic and Continental philosophy.
Analytic Philosophy is concerned with the clarification of ideas and the language we use to express our ideas and has been highly influential in Anglo-American philosophy.
Continental Philosophy denotes a cluster of philosophical movements originating in 19th and 20th century continental Europe, and covers such areas as structuralism, hermeneutics, existentialism, phenomenology and deconstruction.
Aims
We aim to:
- provide multidisciplinary curricula informed by the research and scholarly activities of the teaching staff;
- develop your critical understanding of the interaction between philosophy and religions through a range of learning and teaching methods;
- equip you with the skills necessary to interpret primary and secondary sources;
- provide appropriate language instruction, where feasible;
- help students from diverse backgrounds progress through their course by providing effective academic and pastoral support;
- 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.
Special features
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).
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.
Placement year option
Apply your knowledge in a real-world context through a placement year.
Teaching and learning
You'll choose from an extensive menu of course units relating to philosophy and ethics in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Japanese religions.
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.
Coursework and assessment
Course content for year 1
You will have mandatory course units introducing you to the Study of Religions and Theology as well as a Studying Philosophy unit. You can also explore optional units such as Critical Thinking, Being Human[e]: Theological Studies in Philosophy and Ethics, and Epistemology and the Philosophy of the Mind.
Course units for year 1
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Studying Philosophy | PHIL10031 | 20 | Mandatory |
Introduction to the Study of Religions and Theology | RELT10311 | 20 | Mandatory |
Truth and Truth Telling | RELT10522 | 20 | Mandatory |
Histories of the Islamic World | HIST10172 | 20 | Optional |
The History and Sociopolitics of Palestine/Israel (1882-1967) | MEST10042 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Ethics | PHIL10021 | 20 | Optional |
Critical Thinking | PHIL10042 | 20 | Optional |
History of Philosophy | PHIL10402 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Metaphysics and Epistemology | PHIL10622 | 20 | Optional |
Introduction to Philosophy of Mind | PHIL10631 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 2
Course units for year 2
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Ethics | PHIL20232 | 20 | Mandatory |
Problems in Theology, Philosophy and Ethics: Evil | RELT21112 | 20 | Mandatory |
World Philosophies: Ethics and Ideas in the History of Thought | RELT21701 | 20 | Mandatory |
Religion in Japan | JAPA20211 | 20 | Optional |
The Politics of Women and Gender in the Middle East and North Africa | MEST20352 | 20 | Optional |
History of Modern Islamic Thought | MEST20501 | 20 | Optional |
Islamic Philosophy | PHIL20001 | 20 | Optional |
Philosophy of Religion | PHIL20021 | 20 | Optional |
Applied Philosophy | PHIL20032 | 20 | Optional |
Formal Logic | PHIL20141 | 20 | Optional |
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Course content for year 3
You will engage in a fully interdisciplinary dissertation and choose from course units in the Philosophy of Mathematics, the Philosophy of Action and many more.
Course units for year 3
The course unit details given below are subject to change, and are the latest example of the curriculum available on this course of study.
Title | Code | Credit rating | Mandatory/optional |
---|---|---|---|
Dissertation (40 credit) | PHIL30030 | 40 | Optional |
Special Author:Wittgenstein | PHIL30252 | 20 | Optional |
Philosophy of Psychology | PHIL30361 | 20 | Optional |
Environmental Philosophy | PHIL30432 | 20 | Optional |
Special Author: Kant | PHIL30442 | 20 | Optional |
Philosophy of Action | PHIL30552 | 20 | Optional |
Advanced Topics in Aesthetics | PHIL30621 | 20 | Optional |
Philosophy of Mathematics | PHIL30721 | 20 | Optional |
Dissertation | RELT30000 | 40 | Optional |
Holocaust Theology and Ethics | RELT30331 | 20 | Optional |
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Facilities
Our most distinctive research resource is the John Rylands Research Institute and 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 Rylands 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 many original documents.
Find out more about our Facilities .
Disability support
Careers
Career opportunities
You will develop versatile and transferable skills including presentation, critical thinking and analysis, team working and cultural sensitivity.
Course units will enable you to develop more specific skills, such as translation, source handling, exegesis, data collection and geo-historical awareness.
The University of Manchester has an excellent reputation for employability, and we are the most targeted university by the nation's top employers (The Graduate Market in 2023, High Fliers Research).
Degrees in Religions, Theology and Ethics provide some of the best skills to prepare for roles in fields such as:
- teaching and education;
- cultural heritage;
- counselling;
- the creative industries;
- law;
- research consultancies and think-tanks;
- finance;
- publishing;
- faith-based organisations;
- youth work;
- charity work;
- media;
- the public sector.
Our graduates have gone on to work for employers including the BBC, the Civil Service, Xaverian College, PwC, SPCK, the Church of England, Christian Aid and the Liberal Jewish Synagogue.
A substantial number of students opt for postgraduate study in Religion and Theology or on PGCE courses.
The University has its own dedicated Careers Service that you would have full access to as a student and for two years after you graduate. At Manchester you will have access to a number of opportunities to help boost your employability .
Find out more on the Careers and employability page.