Philosophy, Ethics and Religion BA

Course overview

This course examines the fundamental life questions that have interested human beings for centuries. For example: In what sense does evil exist? Are we ever truly free to act? What does morality or justice require? Does morality require God or religion? How do we know what we know – if we can ever know anything at all? You will be encouraged to develop your own approach to these ideas and expand your worldview.

This is a unique opportunity to explore values (religious and secular) in the abstract (through philosophy) and in the particular (through theology and religious studies); in so doing, you will acquire subject knowledge and methodological approaches within and across two complementary fields of study: Philosophy, on the one hand, and Theology and Religious Studies, on the other.

A variety of global religious traditions are represented. You will study the history of each tradition and also how they are lived and interpreted today.

Our staff have a diverse range of research interests, from the philosophy of art to sex and gender in Africa, and from the sociology of religion to feminist philosophy. This is reflected in the wide selection of modules from which you will be able to choose.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

Other course specific tests:

International Baccalaureate

Career opportunities

A degree in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion will equip you with both in-depth subject knowledge and valuable transferable skills that really stand out to employers. You will be a confident communicator who can present and defend your views clearly, both in writing and verbally. You will be comfortable working independently or in a team, and you will have strong organisational and research skills. Your work on this degree ensures that you emerge from your studies with strong critical thinking skills and the skills it takes to express them in a variety of contexts.

Graduates have gone on to succeed in a wide range of careers, including careers in education, management, politics, the civil service, journalism, the media, and the charity sector. Others have gone on to postgraduate study in related disciplines.