Durham University

BA in Theology and Religion

The Durham degree course incorporates a variety of ways of interacting with theology and religion, and equips you with the knowledge and skills to engage with detailed study of scriptural studies (including languages); the study of religion (which explores religion in the contemporary world through social science method and theory); the historical study of religion (especially Christianity); the church today, along with the plural nature of world Christianities; and the insights of theology, philosophy, and ethics.

The skills that students develop are highly prized by recruiters and the degree opens a wide range of options for prestigious employment and/or further study.

The flexible structure of the degree allows you to pursue either a broadly based, diverse program of study, or to specialize in an area of your choice.

Year 1

Four compulsory modules are taken in the first year, as follows:

• Study of Religion (world religions)
• Introduction to Biblical Studies (scriptural studies)
• Christianity in Context (historical studies)
• Introduction to Christian Theology (philosophical studies)

and two optional modules from a list which in the past has included:

• Islam Observed
• God and Evil
• Biblical Hebrew
• God and the Good
• New Testament Greek
• A module from another department (such as Arabic, or Ethics and Values).

One of these optional modules may be taken in your second year. 

Year 2

Beyond the first year, you have the opportunity to either develop your expertise in all of these areas, or to specialise in one or more according to your interests. Here are some examples of modules that have previously been offered in the second year:

• South Asian Religions
• Literature and Theology of the Old Testament
• Philosophy and the Christian Tradition 100-1300
• The Making of Modern Christianity: Medieval and Reformation Europe
• Religion in Contemporary Britain
• Myth and Meaning
• New Testament Theology: Exploring Paul and John
• Death, Ritual and Belief
• God, Freedom and the Soul
• Research Colloquium (special topics)

In your second year you may also take up to two modules in other departments.

Year 3

In your final year, you will submit a double dissertation that allows you to explore in-depth a topic of your choice which is of special interest to you. Students in the third year also take optional modules, selecting from a list which in the past has included :

• African Religions
• Issues in Old Testament Studies
• The First Urban Churches
• Biblical Theology
• Religion and Film
• Emotion, Religion, and Identity
• Christian Tradition and the Practice of Politics.
• The Postmodern God

If not taken in the second year (see above), you may also take up to two Finals modules (in total) in another department.

Study Abroad

Durham University has over 240 student exchange agreements under the Erasmus+ and International Exchange programs. Our partner institutions are spread across the globe from Austria to New Zealand. Students apply for this opportunity during their first two years and (if successful) spend a year, between their second and third years at Durham in one of our overseas partner institutions