Undergraduate Study

Durham's Department of Theology and Religion offers undergraduate teaching of the highest quality in the fields of Biblical studies, historical and systematic theology, Jewish studies and the study of religion. Biblical and ancient languages are offered at all levels. The undergraduate curriculum is organised to give students a strong and broad foundation, but also the flexibility to specialise in their own areas of interest. All staff are leaders in their respective fields of research, and students are introduced to cutting-edge ideas within the context of their studies.

In recent surveys of British Universities we have been ranked highest in research and equal highest in undergraduate teaching (with a satisfaction rate of 100% in the National Student Survey). The statistics bear out our claim that our undergraduate teaching is provided by world-leaders in their field who are also passionate about communicating their subject to undergraduate students.

Theology and Religion covers many types of study and a very broad range of topics: as a subject it covers almost all aspects of the Humanities. The curriculum is designed to give all students a broad base of knowledge in the first year; it then allows them to follow their own interests, with a broad-based curriculum or a considerable degree of specialism, as they desire. With strong tutorial support within the Department, students have ready access to guidance and advice throughout their degree.

Our students consistently perform extremely well, with over 90% obtaining first- or second-class degrees. Graduates from the Department have an excellent employment record, since the skills and personal qualities they develop over the course of their studies are easily transferable to all sorts of jobs and careers. Thinking clearly, writing well, presenting arguments, analysing texts, assessing evidence, solving problems, pursuing and organising research: these are all skills that serve students well in all walks of life. Our students readily find employment in fields such as education, social work, law, business management, banking, the church, the performing arts, and the charity sector. A significant number also progress onto higher level study, such as Masters degrees and PhDs in Theology/Religion (at Durham and elsewhere) or professional qualifications in law and education.

We offer three undergraduate programmes of study, including single honours Theology, the joint honours degree in Theology and Philosophy, and the degree of Theology (European Studies), which offers students the opportunity to study a year abroad.

The Department will not be conducting interviews of applicants for the 2011-12 academic year. We would therefore recommend that students who have a serious interest in applying to study a degree programme within the department should attend one of the Open Days.

Individual visits to the Department to speak to one of the admissions staff may also be arranged via the admissions secretary.

Consult the handbooks below for lists of the modules offered on each course, and contact the undergraduate admissions secretary with any further questions.

B.A. Theology

This is a single honours degree in Theology, achieved over three years.
Standard Offer: AAB

• UndergraduateHandbook2011-12.doc (last modified: 29 June 2011)

B.A. Theology and Philosophy

This is a joint honours degree in Theology and Philosophy, achieved over three years. Students take modules run by the Theology and Philosophy Departments.
Standard Offer: AAA

Those with particular interests in philosophy of religion and ethics should consider applying for a single honours degree in Theology and Religion whilst those interested in a wider range of areas in philosophy should consider a joint honours degree. (The Department's list of modules shows how much is available in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics within the single honours Degree.)

• Joint Honours Handbook 2009-10 (PDF)
• Joint Honours Handbook 2009-10 (Word)

B.A. Theology (European Studies)

This is a single honours degree in Theology, over four years. One year (usually the third year) is spent in one of our partner universities, currently Helsinki (Finland), Iasi (Romania), Oslo (Norway), University of Iceland (Reykjavik), Tübingen (Germany) and Uppsala (Sweden).
Standard Offer: AAB 

• European Studies Information (PDF)

For those students who already hold a BA (Honours) degree or equivalent in another discipline, but wish to acquire a knowledge of Theology and Religion, the department offers a Graduate Diploma in Theology and Religion.