Theology and Religious Studies*

BA (Hons) Single

Theology and Religious Studies allows students to combine the study of religious beliefs and practices with studies in Christian theology.

Campus Chester
Course BA (Hons) Single
Length 3 Years
Start date September 2012

The single honours programme provides you with the most choice out of all our programmes, allowing you to tailor your degree to your own interests. You will be able to study a number of world religions while engaging with the significance of religious practices and beliefs in the contemporary world. You will also develop theological skills to enable you to think critically about the Bible, key doctrinal issues, philosophy and ethics.

*Subject to Validation

Next: Modules

The outline of the curriculum below gives you an indication of the kinds of modules you will study if you decide to come to Chester. It also provides you with information about the kinds of options you can choose from to tailor a programme of study to suit your own interests.

First Year (level 4)

You will study these three compulsory modules:

  • Introduction to Theology
  • Study of Religion
  • Philosophy and Ethics

The rest of your first year is dependent on your own choices.

You will choose one module from:

  • The Bible: Contents & Contexts, or
  • The Bible: Readers & Perspectives

You will choose one module from:

  • Judaism and Buddhism
  • Hinduism and Islam, or
  • Global Perspectives in Christianity

You will then choose one final module (which you haven’t already chosen) from this list:

  • The Bible: Contents and Contexts
  • The Bible: Readers and Perspectives
  • Judaism and Buddhism
  • Hinduism and Islam
  • Global Perspectives in Christianity

Second Year (level 5)

You choose two modules from this list:

  • Contextual and Practical Theology
  • Systematic Theology
  • Theological Ethics
  • Hebrew Bible: History and Story
  • New Testament: Paul’s Practical Theology

You choose another two modules from:

  • Islam Religion and Philosophy
  • Hindu Philosophy and Theology
  • Anthropology of Religions
  • Spirituality and Popular Culture

You then choose either

  • Work Based Learning

OR

  • Religious Education

And finally, you choose one from this list which you haven’t already chosen:

  • Contextual and Practical Theology
  • Systematic Theology
  • Hebrew Bible: History and Story
  • New Testament: Paul’s Practical Theology
  • Theological Ethics
  • Islam Religion and Philosophy
  • Hindu Philosophy and Theology
  • Anthropology of Religions
  • Spirituality and Popular Culture

Third Year (Level 6)  

Your compulsory module is:

  • Dissertation (Double Module)

You then choose one module from:

  • Great Theological Thinkers
  • Feminist Perspectives in Christian
  • Theology
  • Medical Ethics
  • Jesus and the Gospels
  • Images of the Word: The Bible in Cinema
  • Jews, Christians and Pagans

You also choose one module from:

  • Islam Religion and Philosophy
  • Hindu Philosophy and Theology
  • Anthropology of Religion
  • Spirituality and Popular Culture

Choose two from:

  • Great Theological Thinkers
  • Feminist Perspectives in Christian Theology
  • Medical Ethics
  • Jesus and the Gospels
  • Images of the Word: The Bible in Cinema
  • Jews, Christians and Pagans
  • Ritual Studies
  • Religions in India
  • Minority Faith Communities in Europe
  • Transformations of British Religious Life
Next: Assessment

In the first and second year assessment is in a variety of forms:

  • essays
  • portfolios
  • presentations
  • group seminars and a few short examinations

                                    

In your third year

  • assessment is entirely by coursework, with some oral components
Next: Careers

Theology and Religious Studies students go on to gain employment in a range of different careers, including

  • teaching
  • public services
  • the civil service
  • a range of Christian ministries
  • business.

Increasingly it is important for organizations to employ people who are religiously literate and understand the complex ways religions affect and shape people’s lives.

Students also go on to engage in further study, working towards one of our Masters degrees, a PhD or a Professional doctorate. The department offers MAs in Religious Studies, Theology, Faiths and Public Policy or Practical and Contextual Theology. The department also offers supervision for PhD research in a wide range of areas relating to Theology and Religious Studies and a Professional Doctorate in Practical Theology.

Next: Entry requirements
UCAS:
A minimum of 240-280 UCAS points from GCE A Levels or equivalent
BTEC:
BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit/distinction profile
Irish/Scottish:
B in 4 subjects
International Baccalaureate: 26 Points
QAA:
 QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma, Open College Units or Open University Credits
OCR: OCR National Extended/Diploma: merit/distinction profile
Extra Information:

Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer
 
The Advanced Diploma: acceptable on its own

The department welcomes mature students without the above formal qualifications who can demonstrate their interest/experience in the subject area

Beginning: Overview

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Undergraduate Admissions

    University of Chester

    Parkgate Road

    Chester

    CH1 4BJ

    T:
    01244 512175
    enquiries@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Dr Steve Knowles, Lecturer in Theology
    T:
    01244 511033
    s.knowles@chester.ac.uk

  • Carly McEvoy, Departmental Administrator
    T:
    01244 511031
    c.mcevoy@chester.ac.uk