Overview

Examining fundamental questions of human existence, moral duty, and belief systems across global traditions is essential to understanding contemporary society and cultural identity. The Religion, Philosophy & Ethics BA at King's College London provides a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary education delivered within the Department of Theology & Religious Studies. Ranked among the top research environments in the UK, the program integrates philosophical inquiry and ethical theory with the empirical study of major world religions, including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. Students engage in rigorous conceptual analysis, text interpretation, and field research, leveraging London's diverse religious landscapes, places of worship, and cultural collections such as the British Museum. The curriculum explores ethics through historical and global perspectives, decolonization frameworks, and contemporary issues in literature, film, and social policy. This degree is ideally suited for inquisitive, analytical, and open-minded thinkers who wish to interrogate moral dilemmas, explore sacred traditions, and build versatile careers in public policy, education, advocacy, journalism, and social strategy.

What You'll Learn

• Core concepts of moral philosophy, normative ethics, meta-ethics, and applied ethical frameworks across historical periods

• Foundational intersections between philosophy and theology, addressing major metaphysical and epistemological questions

• Comparative studies of major global religious traditions, including Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and modern religious movements

• Global philosophical approaches, non-Western intellectual traditions, and decolonial perspectives on religious and ethical concepts

• Hermeneutical methodologies for analyzing, contextualizing, and interpreting sacred texts and philosophical treatises

• Historical development of ethical systems, social justice paradigms, and human rights frameworks

• Role of religion, ethics, and ideology in contemporary global politics, conflict, secularization, and social movements

• Qualitative research techniques, observational field studies in local places of worship, and archival resource evaluation

• Independent capstone research project or dissertation exploring a specialized topic in religion, applied ethics, or philosophical theology

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will possess a comprehensive understanding of religious traditions, ethical theories, and global philosophical concepts that shape human culture and social governance. They will demonstrate the capability to critically analyze complex ethical arguments, evaluate sacred and secular texts, and contextualize religious dynamics within contemporary socio-political frameworks. Students acquire strong practical competencies in qualitative textual analysis, conceptual problem-solving, field research, and comparative synthesis through interactive seminars and field site visits. Furthermore, scholars master the ability to articulate complex theoretical arguments clearly across diverse written and oral mediums, engaging respectfully with differing worldview perspectives. Through research-led teaching and engagement with London's rich cultural resources, graduates cultivate the intellectual adaptability, critical empathy, and analytical precision required to excel as policy advisors, journalists, community relations officers, legal specialists, civil servants, or postgraduate researchers.