Theology & Religious Studies

Theology and religious studies is a discipline that takes religion seriously as one of the most significant dimensions of human experience and cultural life. It examines the beliefs, texts, rituals, institutions, and histories of religious traditions from antiquity to the present day, drawing on methods from philosophy, history, literary criticism, sociology, and anthropology. Far from being a world apart, religion has shaped and continues to shape politics, law, literature, art, science, and the most intimate aspects of personal and communal life, and understanding it rigorously is essential to understanding the modern world.

At the University of Glasgow, this four-year full-time programme encompasses the study of religion, the Bible, and theology as they relate to politics, history, literature, philosophy, art, and culture, as well as to personal belief and practice. You will engage with a wide range of religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and others, developing comparative and critical perspectives on how religious thought and practice have developed and interacted across time and geography. A year abroad is included in the programme, giving you the opportunity to study theology or religious studies in a different national and institutional context, which deepens both your intellectual perspectives and your personal development.

Graduates from theology and religious studies programmes pursue careers in a wide range of sectors. The civil service, education, journalism, social work, interfaith dialogue and advocacy, the charity sector, and roles in religious organisations are among the most common destinations. The analytical, interpretive, and written communication skills developed through the degree are applicable across many professions.

Ministry and pastoral roles attract some graduates, while others move into law, academia, policy research, or roles in international organisations where understanding of religious and cultural diversity is valued. Postgraduate study in theology, religious studies, ethics, or social science is a natural next step for those who wish to develop specialist expertise.