Overview

Faith and belief continue to shape culture, politics and identity across the globe, and understanding them offers real insight into some of today's most pressing debates. The BA (Hons) Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham explores this wide spectrum of faiths, from Buddhism and Christianity to Islam, Jainism, Judaism and Sikhism, taught by world-leading specialists in one of Europe's most religiously diverse cities. Students engage directly with local faith communities through the compulsory Lived Religions module, and gain access to rare manuscripts including the Birmingham Qur'an, held in the Cadbury Research Library. The course suits students genuinely curious about culture and belief, who want to develop strong critical thinking skills relevant to careers in law, media, education and beyond.

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What You'll Learn

• Foundational approaches to the academic study of religion

• Religion as lived and practised in Birmingham and beyond, explored through site visits and fieldwork

• Optional first-year topics such as the psychology of religion, Islam, or interpreting the Holocaust

• A broad range of specialist options in the second year, from gender and religion to global Islam and religious ethics

• Advanced topics such as political theology, religious feminisms and philosophy of religion

• Practical, employability-focused study through an optional placement module

• Contemporary debates in ethics, from sustainable consumption to artificial intelligence in society

• An independent dissertation on a topic of your own choosing

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Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyse religious traditions and beliefs across a wide range of cultural and historical contexts, drawing on textual, ethical and lived experience of faith communities. They will be equipped to engage thoughtfully with contested contemporary debates, from religious ethics to questions of identity, gender and politics. Through an independent dissertation and optional placement module, students will develop the ability to conduct original research and apply academic skills in real-world professional settings. Graduates will leave with strong analytical, critical thinking and communication skills, well suited to careers in law, media, education, policy, the charity sector and beyond.