Philosophy and Theology

Philosophy and theology is a combination that explores two of the most fundamental questions about human existence: what can we know, and how should we live? And how have human beings understood the divine, the sacred, and the ultimate nature of reality? Philosophy brings rigorous analytical tools to bear on questions about knowledge, reality, ethics, and political life, evaluating arguments and assumptions with precision and care.

Theology examines the beliefs, texts, practices, and institutions of religious traditions, asking what people have believed about the sacred, how those beliefs have shaped communities, and how religious thought relates to wider questions of philosophy, ethics, and politics. Together, the two disciplines develop both analytical rigour and genuine cultural and religious literacy.

The University of Bristol's three-year full-time Philosophy and Theology degree includes a foundation year and carries a typical entry tariff of 168 points. As the course itself describes, philosophy study at Bristol covers introductory topics, logic, realism, and normativity, and students undertake extended essay projects on topics of their own choice supervised by relevant staff. In years two and three, optional units allow you to develop a core philosophical specialisation, explore different methods, apply philosophy to other disciplines such as science or literature, and engage with contemporary civic issues.

The theology strand provides the complementary cultural and religious dimension. The foundation year provides additional academic preparation before the main degree.

Graduates work in education, journalism, the civil service, the voluntary sector, faith-based organisations, law, healthcare ethics, international development, and social policy. The ability to reason clearly about values and engage with diverse beliefs and cultural traditions is genuinely valuable in many professional contexts. Postgraduate study in philosophy, theology, ethics, or religious studies is a well-established direction for those wanting to deepen their expertise.