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04th July 2023
This guide will run you through everything you need to know about studying theology or religious studies at postgraduate level.
There are a lot of things to consider as a prospective postgraduate, such as where you want to study, what you’ll learn during your theology degree, and whether you meet the entry requirements for your preferred courses.
If you’re a recent graduate or returning student, you might be considering theology for a number of reasons. Perhaps you want to work as a theologian directly, become a member of the clergy, or work as a teacher or charity worker – to name just a few career options that await graduates of this field.
Whatever your ambitions, theology can be a great way to build transferable professional skills and learn about people and religion.
In this article, you’ll find information on course content, potential careers, entry requirements, degree types and more – so read on.
CONTENTS
Theology is the study of religions and religious beliefs, how they influence society, and the impact that they have on individuals and their relationship with their world.
Religious studies is a field suited to students who are interested in big ideas, interpreting sacred and significant texts, religious history, and understanding how humanity and spirituality intersect.
Far from being a subject just for students with a particular perspective on faith, theology presents all students with the opportunity to expand their horizons and learn how to approach issues with tolerance, respect and an open mind.
As a result, it can be a great choice for students who want to move into sectors like education, social care, charity work or many others – the transferable skills that you’ll develop during a theology postgraduate are wide reaching.
There are many different qualification types to choose from, so it’s important to understand which degree will best suit your goals.
Taught postgraduate courses include the MA, MSc and MEd qualifications. An MA may focus more on text analysis and historical contexts, while an MSc may explore how theology can be applied to global challenges or science – an MEd could meanwhile focus on the management and development of religious education.
The PGCE is another popular postgraduate degree in this field, which prepares students to become religious studies teachers.
Short courses like the PGCert or PGDip can allow you to gain experience in theology in less than a year, with the option to extend and complete a full master’s degree.
MPhil and doctoral qualifications, such as the ThD, allow students to conduct in-depth study of religious texts and debates, as well as complete their own research. It’s ideal for those who want to push the boundaries of theological discourse and contribute to society’s spiritual progress.
Job prospects for theology postgraduates are diverse. Far from just preparing students for work in ministries or other religious organisations, religious studies is an excellent way to develop a range of professional skills and unique knowledge. The creativity, communication, empathy and analytical thought that these courses encourage will help you appeal to a wide range of employers.
You could go on to a wide range of theology jobs, including:
Your skills and knowledge will also make you a great candidate for jobs like:
This list isn’t exhaustive, and there are employers across all kinds of sectors who value the knowledge and skills that theology and religious studies graduates have to offer.
Postgraduate entry requirements will differ depending on the qualification you’re applying for. Some universities may also adjust their admissions criteria according to the focus of their programme, or how competitive entry is.
In general you should expect to need at least a 2:2 at undergraduate level, but some courses may ask for a 2:1 or higher. Some may consider students with alternative qualifications and relevant professional or personal experience.
PhD applicants will typically need a 2:1 or above; having a relevant master’s degree will always be helpful in demonstrating your research ability and ensuring your chances of successful application are as high as possible.
You can choose from a wide range of theology and religious studies qualifications at postgraduate level, including:
While each postgraduate courses in theology is unique, you could expect to study topics like:
As a postgraduate student of theology, you’ll develop a range of skills to help you achieve your academic, professional or personal goals. By the time you finish your degree, you’ll be able to offer strengths such as:
Critical thinking and analysis
You’ll study a range of texts, beliefs and ideas during your course, engaging with some of the most important writings of human history and engaging in debate with your peers and lecturers. You’ll challenge and test notions, come up with new ideas, and shape them into arguments for your essays and seminars.
Writing and communication
Whether you’re giving an oral presentation, writing an incisive essay or defending your position in a discussion, you’ll learn to distil your thoughts with clarity and communicate them to various audiences.
Empathy and understanding
Your studies focus on human spirituality and ways of living, as well as examining how people interact with each other and themselves. As a result, you’ll cultivate a unique capacity for compassion, appreciating different perspectives, and fostering mutual understanding.
Postgraduate theology degrees are typically taught through lectures, seminars and small-group tutorial sessions. You’ll also often have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with your tutors and lecturers. You’ll consolidate your learning through essays and independent study.
Assessment will be through coursework, such as reflective essays and dissertations, as well as oral presentations. Doctoral students will work towards a thesis.
The length of your theology degree will depend on your study pattern and the type of qualification you choose.
Studying a PGDip or a taught master’s degree will usually take one year to complete full-time. Studying part-time will take up to two years.
An MPhil typically lasts two years for full-time students, while full-time students will take four years to graduate.
PhD students can expect to spend anywhere between four and eight years studying, depending on their progress and study pattern.
You can choose from more than 260 postgraduate courses in theology and religious studies. With such a huge range of programmes to explore, offered across more than 60 UK universities, it can be a challenge finding the perfect course for you.
Our university search tool makes it easy to filter programmes according to qualification type, start date, location or university, while quickly accessing key information about the curriculum and entry requirements.
Other subjects similar to theology and religious studies, which you might also consider at postgraduate level, include:
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