Religion, Theology and Society BA

Course overview

Understanding religion and its place in society is vital for understanding the world in which we live. In this degree, you'll explore a variety of approaches to religious traditions throughout time and across cultures, while considering their effects on public life.

Core modules introduce you to key themes and methods in the study of religion and theology, including the importance of understanding religious belief and practice in their social contexts.

This course also allows you to explore the subject through a variety of optional modules. These cover specific traditions, like Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam; various regional contexts, such as of modern Britain, South Asia, and Africa; diverse approaches, such as sociology and philosophy of religion; and matters of contemporary social, ethical, political and religious importance, like gender, sexuality and race.

Incorporating social scientific, theological, philosophical, historical, textual and other approaches, this challenging degree gives you fascinating insights into some of the most influential factors shaping, and being shaped by, our world, equipping you for thoughtful and knowledgeable engagement in future work.

Additional highlights

The course offers a distinctive threefold focus on religion, theology and society. It draws upon the wide-ranging expertise of our accomplished staff, who possess expertise ranging across multiple religious traditions, academic approaches, and geographical regions.

In the final year, you have the choice between two kinds of research projects, allowing you to put the knowledge acquired during your study toward a topic you are truly invested in. Both project options are guided by a supervisor, but one allows you the freedom to pursue an independent research project of your own design, while the other offers the scaffolded support of an associated module.

In addition to the core modules, there is the opportunity for genuine research-led teaching throughout the degree, with a revolving menu of specialist modules available in the final year.

Specialist facilities

The University of Leeds has world-class facilities for students of Religion, Theology and Society. The University libraries are among the largest in the UK and offer many workshops and webinars to help you make the most of their collections, digital resources and databases.

Take a look around our libraries:

• Brotherton Library
• Laidlaw Library
• Edward Boyle Library

Additionally, the Special Collections Research Centre was recently refurbished and extended thanks to a generous bequest from the John Victor Bedford Will Trust. This extensive development created new working spaces for individuals and/or groups and new teaching spaces that feature visualisers and projectors, allowing you to engage with primary sources using the latest techniques.

Skills@Library offers training courses to help you make the most of the Library’s collections, digital resources and databases. In addition, it can provide one-to-one support to taught students on a wide range of topics, including academic writing, research skills, and data analysis.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB

Other course specific tests:

When an applicant is taking the EPQ in a relevant subject this might be considered alongside other Level 3 qualifications and may attract an alternative offer in addition to the standard offer. If you are taking A Levels, this would be BBB at A Level and grade A in the EPQ.

We welcome applications from mature students with Access qualifications, and from students with a wide range of qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

Career opportunities

A degree in Religion, Theology and Society 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.