Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom, Nottingham

University RankQS Ranking

109

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Home/United Kingdom/Nottingham /University of Nottingham/Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA

University of Nottingham

United Kingdom , Nottingham

Key Facts

Program Level

Bachelor

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

86V4

Campuses

Nottingham

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake DeadlinesSeptember-2026

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 3 year(s)

Tuition Fee

GBP 24,700 / year(s)

Next Intake September-2026

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA

About

This interdisciplinary programme offers a diverse learning experience, covering ancient and modern traditions from around the world. Core modules build a strong foundation in religious and philosophical studies, including Christianity, Islam, and moral philosophy. You’ll also explore Judaism, Buddhism, Asian, and Africana philosophies and religions.

Our modules are designed to inspire expansive and creative thinking about humanity’s deepest questions. You’ll develop valuable skills in research, logic, and argumentation, encountering both historical and contemporary thinkers. The course covers a global spectrum of debates and worldviews, embracing both religious and nonreligious perspectives.

Why choose this course?

Beginners welcome - you do not need any prior experience of theology, religion or philosophy - our year one modules are designed to give you a university-level foundation
Freedom to explore - following an introductory programme in year one, deepen your knowledge of your favourite topics and explore new ones through a wide range of modules
Global curriculum - particular strengths across Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and atheist thinking, and Western, Chinese, Indian and Africana philosophies
Follow your interests - diverse module choice across two subjects allows you to combine old and new, and to follow themes through both subjects
Ask the big questions - explore the many ways in thinking about what it is to be human
Interfaith chaplaincy - explore your and others faith in a supportive setting

Engaged Arts

All students within the Faculty of Arts can select ‘Engaged Arts’ modules where you’ll approach real world challenges across contemporary themes such as sustainability or equity and justice. These modules have been newly designed to help you gain the skills and analytical abilities that employers are looking for.

Placements, internships and volunteering

Our dedicated Faculty of Arts Placements Team assists with your employability skills development throughout your time at Nottingham. You can choose from a wide range of placements, internships and volunteering opportunities. Gain real-world experience with optional Faculty of Arts work placement module and additional CV-boosting skills by getting involved by participating in student union and other extracurricular activities. Paid and volunteer roles are posted throughout the year.

Some key statistics

1st - top UK university for graduate careers (HESA Graduate Outcomes, classification of full-time, UK first-degree graduates entering work in the UK from 2018/19 to 21/22, published 2024)
Top 3 most targeted UK university by leading employers (The Graduate Market, High Fliers Research, 2024)
7th best university in the UK for work experience (Rate My Placement Best Universities for Work Experience, 2025)

Explore more

Your department

Find out more about what it’s like to study in the Department of Philosophy, with theology and religion.

Arts and Humanities Foundation Year

You may also progress to this course from our Arts and Humanities Foundation Year, subject to eligibility.

Important information

This online prospectus has been drafted in advance of the academic year to which it applies. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content) are likely to occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for the course where there has been an interval between you reading this website and applying.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

IB score: 30 points overall or 655 in 3 HL certificates IELTS:

6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any element

English language requirements

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

High school qualifications:

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country

A level: ABB Required subjects:

GCSE

English grade 4 (C)

Additional entry requirements:

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2026 entry.

Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.

Non-UK entry requirements:

Alternative qualifications

We recognise that applicants have a wealth of different experiences and follow a variety of pathways into higher education.

Consequently we treat all applicants with alternative qualifications (besides A-levels and the International Baccalaureate) on an individual basis, and we gladly accept students with a whole range of less conventional qualifications including:

Access to HE Diploma
Advanced Diploma
BTEC HND/HNC
BTEC Extended Diploma

This list is not exhaustive. The entry requirements for alternative qualifications can be quite specific; for example you may need to take certain modules and achieve a specified grade in those modules. Please contact us to discuss the transferability of your qualification. Please see the alternative qualifications page for more information.

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Diploma DDD
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Diploma DD ) plus 1 A Level grade B
RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate D plus 2 A Levels grades BB

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE Diploma 24 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 21 Level 3 credits at Merit

Mature Students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

English Program Requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details. For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations. If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK. If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Career

This degree opens the doors to a wide range of possible careers.

You'll develop key professional skills such as how to:

understand and analyse others' ideas and beliefs
think carefully and clearly
sift evidence, make reasoned decisions and argue persuasively
develop sensitivity to cultural and religious diversity
communicate your ideas with confidence
engage intelligently and critically with the world in all its depth and complexity

The skills you develop will make you:

resilient - as the nature of work changes you can adapt
flexible - you can choose across different sectors as you develop and grow and opportunities arise

Recent graduates are currently working in areas such as:

law, public policy, strategy, and consulting
banking and finance
postgraduate degrees and academia
teaching
creative arts and cultural administration
police and detective work
religious and charitable organisations
journalism, advertising, and communications
psychology and counselling
publishing and editing
charities

Find out more about opportunities for our philosophy and theology and religion students.

Graduate profiles

"I left Nottingham with ways of thinking which have enabled me to thrive on a sought-after graduate scheme, and to secure an exciting job thereafter."

Luke Gallimore, BA Philosophy 2015. Now Head of Product Management, Monstarlab

Meet more of our graduates and how they think Nottingham has equipped them for the future.