Theology and Religious Studies

One glance at the newspapers or TV should be enough to convince anyone that religion is an extraordinarily powerful force in the world, used to justify an array of actions, for good and ill. All the more important, then, that we should understand the beliefs and value systems that drive the major faiths.

The teaching of religion at universities has been rapidly transformed in the last few years. Many courses have widened their remit to include a variety of religious traditions, while the profile of students arriving in theology and religious studies departments is very different from even 10 years ago. Most noticeably the proportion of women students has risen until, in most departments, they are in the majority, something you can put down to wider cultural changes and shifting policies on religious education, which have also affected the churches and other religious groupings. Gender studies are now an important part of most theology and religious studies courses.

Students can study for undergraduate degrees in religious studies, world religions, divinity, theology and biblical studies. Academics are keen to stress that none of these are courses simply for the religiously committed, and that the basic questions about human existence are studied without privileging any particular viewpoint. You can be Christian, Muslim, atheist, whatever - it doesn't affect your ability to think. As in any university department, no questions are out of bounds, but, equally, the sensitivities and commitments of all students are respected.

Typically, religious studies courses look at the human phenomenon of religion in all its variety, while theology (or divinity) departments tend to focus on Christianity and the way it understands itself. Most departments offer some experience of both types of study. Undertaking theological studies may suggest that you have more than a passing interest in Christianity, but does not require any religious commitment.

Theology students go on to a wide variety of careers and certainly do not all work within religious organisations, although clerical training is part of some theological degree courses, and some departments are linked to colleges that train people for the ministry. Graduates emerge not just with analytical and textual skills, but also skills in language, field research, historical and archaeological methods, philosophy, ethics and sociology, literature, art and music - all hugely valuable assets to any employer.

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