Program Overview

What is History and Religious Studies BA (Hons)?

Explore human belief and action to gain a deep understanding of key forces in the shaping of our world and identities. You’ll ask deep questions about what it means to be human, to examine answers to such questions, and the way that those answers – religious and otherwise – have shaped global events, cultures and societies.

Our Theology and Religious Studies courses are ranked 2nd in the UK for teaching quality and student experience, and 17th overall by The Times Good University Guide 2022.

Our students don’t just study what others have said, or learn names, dates and beliefs. They’re historians and scholars of religion, investigating and interpreting events and evidence, practices and ideas for themselves, in order to understand the development of individual, social and cultural identities.

Study style

You can shape your studies to match your interests – from British, European, American and Soviet history to major world religions (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Buddhism), new expressions of spirituality and non-religious movements.

You’ll learn through lectures, seminars, tutorials, student-led sessions and placements, supported by digital technologies. Small group discussions allow you to connect with expert tutors and other students, with excellent environments for learning and strong group identity. You’ll gain hands-on experience with historical documents and artefacts, as well as the close examination of religious texts and ideas, will also help you to build essential skills for work within and beyond university.