Truly explore Catholicism with our Theology degree – ranked first in the country (National Student Survey, 2022)
Study Catholic theology in an ecclesial context with our Theology degree. You will cover a range of topics, such as:
- Church history
- systematic theology
- theological anthropology
- ecclesiology
- Mariology.
Our student, Dominic, tells us that this programme “educates the whole person and is a fascinating preparation for life and work in our complicated world”.
After completing our theology course, you can pursue a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) - awarded through Mater Ecclesiae College, the Pontifical Faculty at St Mary's.
Exceptional rankings
Our theology programme is ranked highest in the country, with a score of 100% in the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS). The Good University Guide (2023) also places us in the top 10 for theology courses.
Build knowledge and connection with two communities
You will learn with our Mater Ecclesiae College and also Allen Hall in Chelsea. This means you will benefit from the intellectual life and connections at both seminary communities.
Make London your classroom
We are only a 30-minute train ride from central London, giving you easy access to the capital’s pivotal religious buildings, organisations, and history. Some places to visit include:
- St Paul’s Cathedral
- Westminster Cathedral
- Tower of London.
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Course content
Modules
These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2024/25 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2025/26.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
How the degree is taught
Teaching methods
You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.
Teaching and learning methods will provide an appropriate balance among:
- a variety of teaching formats: traditional lectures, seminars, multimedia content (e.g.. film clips, voting software), individual and group tutorials
- large and small group work: e.g. class debates, guided reading exercises, quizzes
- tutor-led and independent learning sessions
- e-learning: fullest possible use of Moodle platform for timely uploading of teaching resources, discussion forums, dissemination of resources and audio lecture capture where possible
- exploration of a wide range of materials and sources, ancient and modern.
Assessment methods
The variety of assessment methods used on the course seeks to balance traditional learning and more contemporary approaches. There is a particular emphasis on oral means of assessment, in respect of the centrality of oral communication for vocational ministry in the Church.
Feedback
We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.
Entry requirements
2025 and 2026 entries
Start date
Standard offer
120 - undefined UCAS points
Contextual offer
96 UCAS points
About Contextual Offer:
Not sure about your grades? We consider all factors when reviewing your application, as we know not everyone has the same support to reach their potential. So we may make a contextual offer below the standard Tariff if you meet our criteria. Read more about contextual offers.
We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
- subjects studied at Level 3
- your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
- non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
- your references and motivation.
International requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in any section. (or equivalent).
UCAS Personal statement support
Create your UCAS personal statement through our online builder and we'll email you a copy of your completed version at the end.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please get in touch.
How many UCAS points my grades are worth
A levels
A*
56 pts
A
48 pts
B
40 pts
C
32 pts
D
24 pts
E
16 pts
My qualification isn't listed:
If you can't find your qualification in this list please check the full list of UCAS tariff tables.
Fees & funding
Tuition fees
Home
£9,535
International
£17,100
*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.
Information about tuition fees, student loans, and funding your studies can be found within our fees and funding section.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.
For further information about additional costs please see our additional costs webpage.
Scholarships
Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students .
Living costs
A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.
Career opportunities
With our Theology degree, you will develop essential transferrable skills, including communication, leadership, and resilience.
You can also contact our Career Services at careers@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on work and postgraduate opportunities.
Previous students have secured employment as:
Apply now
If you're currently living in the United Kingdom and Ireland, you'll need to apply directly through UCAS. You can check our step-by-step application guide for detailed information.
If you are living outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland, you can submit an application directly or add St Mary's University as a choice on UCAS. Check our guideline for more information.
Transferring from another institution?
St Mary's is happy to consider applications from students who wish to transfer from another university. If this is you, please follow these instructions.
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Thinking about whether St Mary's is the right place for you? Come and visit it us on campus.
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Discover what life is like on our London campus.