Course summary

Religion, faith and spirituality are powerful cultural forces, so an understanding of religious and spiritual perspectives in the contemporary world is indispensable. As one of the most culturally and religiously diverse communities in Europe, Birmingham provides an exciting environment for you to study undergraduate Theology and Religion. You will benefit from our excellent relationships with the city’s faith communities, and the work placement module will inform your understanding of significant religious traditions within the workplace. Our Theology and Religion academics have specialist expertise in many ideas, movements and traditions that are shaping the twenty-first century. This opens up opportunities for you to choose modules in a range of engaging topics, such as global ethics, feminism and gender studies, the philosophy of religion, cultural studies and the study of the Holocaust. Why study this course? Culturally-diverse city – All faiths are well-represented in Birmingham, with more than 650 churches, mosques, synagogues and temples across the city. Outside London, Birmingham has the UK’s largest Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities, the second-largest Hindu community and the seventh-largest Jewish community. Excellent employability development – Boost your employability skills by completing a placement module where you have the opportunity to spend time in a school, charity or even abroad. The University of Birmingham is the fourth most targeted University by the UK's top graduate employers (Graduate Outcomes Survey, High Fliers report 2022). Theology in Practice - Our academics work with policy-makers, and advise governments and public bodies, on engagement with faith communities. This Theology and Religion degree offers excellent preparation for any kind of professional role that requires engagement with diverse communities and navigating their particular needs and challenges. Taught by experts – You will study your undergraduate degree course alongside some of the finest minds in Theology and Religion. The Department is 3rd in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021 based on 4* research. Rewarding student experience – 92% Overall Student Satisfaction for BA Theology and Religion students (National Student Survey 2022). At Birmingham we believe that teaching hours should be complemented by a wide-range of academic opportunities and social occasions. As a student in Theology and Religion you will have access to opportunities including free language tuition, bespoke academic writing advice, and a student experience team who co-ordinate trips, talks, quizzes and celebrations. Diverse Perspectives - Unlike other universities, we engage with all students/major religions and not just the typical approach of studying the three major abrahamic religions. This allows you to gain a strong understanding of all major religions whilst also specialising in the topics that interest you the most. In your final year, you have an unprecedented freedom to choose any module that interests you ranging from the Hebrew Bible to the Holocaust. Top 10 for Theology and Religious Studies in the Guardian rankings 2023 Top 35 for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2022 Top 10 for Theology in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023