BA (Hons) Religions, Philosophies and Ethics

You’ll explore religions, philosophies and ethics from a global perspective, not just a Western one. We examine the philosophies and ethics of the Indian subcontinent and China, and a range of religious traditions, from Buddhism to Christianity to Paganism.

We relate these systems and traditions to topical and emerging issues in the contemporary world: gender, identity, our relationship to the natural work and environmental crisis, among many others. The course is dynamic, staying up-to-date with changing religious and philosophical thinking, and the context in which these changes takes place. It demands, and helps you to develop, rigorous and systematic thinking.

A popular career for our students is teaching Religious Education and/or Citizenship in secondary or primary schools, where there is a shortage of specialists.

The combination of the Study of Religions and Philosophy is particularly good in preparing for teaching. One of our modules is specially designed as preparation for a career in education.

In the past, some students have gone on to further academic study and university teaching.

Today it is increasingly important for people in a wide range of careers to be able to mix with people from different religious and cultural backgrounds. Some of our past students, for example, sought careers in the police, civil service, hospital administration, social work and journalism. The study of religions, philosophies and ethics become useful for working overseas in the capacity as a language teacher or working in tourism and other businesses.

List of current alumni careers
Our graduates have careers in:

the police service;
health administration;
education;
social work; and
journalism.
Many graduates go on to train as teachers – the course is widely respected as a foundation for a career in education.

Since 2010, employers such as Global Xchange. Ethicall, Citizens' Advice Bureau and Birmingham University have recruited graduates from this course. Students have also gone into roles including Healthcare Assistant, Fundraiser, Children's Home Activities Coordinator and Assistant to the Communications Director.

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry to our undergraduate programmes. The main ones are listed below:

A Level - Grades BCC - CCC preferred in a related subject
BTEC - Extended Diploma grades Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM) preferred in a related subject.
International Baccalaureate - A minimum score of 26 points required