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A course that trains you for a digital, global age in which theological insight and religious literacy matter more than ever.
  • Ranked 4th in the UK in The Guardian University Guide
  • Opportunities to visit international sites of religious significance, such as Jerusalem or Rome.
  • You will receive teaching and tuition from top-level academic experts drawn from the St Mary's theological research centres.
  • Combine your studies with Education Studies.

Why study Theology, Religion, and Ethics?

Our degree in Theology, Religion, and Ethics combines contemporary debates with ancient disciplines. 

Along with our experts, you will read seminal writers and thinkers of centuries-old traditions, pick up critical views of contemporary world issues, and examine the cultural appropriation of religious ideas and imagery.

You may wish to study modules about science and religious ethics, politics and the Bible, or look closely at developments in theory and theological doctrine. 

This degree allows you to explore some of the most recent and the most long-standing examples of the perennial human search for meaning, and apply them to the realities of contemporary society.  

Why St Mary's?

Studying Theology, Religion, and Ethics with us enables you to engage in open critical inquiry and contemporary intellectual debates in a setting with a vibrant religious identity. 

We focus on cultivating academic excellence and are deeply concerned with ensuring your receive the best student experience.  

The programme includes opportunities to visit religious communities, and we also make use of the galleries and museums of London, situating your degree within the wider cultural economy of the UK. 

While the degree takes special account of the University's Catholic identity and ethos, we welcome students from all faith traditions—and none. 

Our staff includes academics of various backgrounds and convictions, and we offer a supportive and welcoming community in which you can study. All our staff aim to ensure that you are highly attractive to employers after you graduate. 

As part of your degree, you will also have the opportunity to take part in an work placement. Previous students have been placed in the local and wider London area, in religion, public life or interfaith relations thinktanks, third sector agencies such as charities and NGOs, catholic schools, and units for ethical and social responsibility in the corporate sector.

Foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Theology, Religion, and Ethics.

Useful information

Course lead

Dr Jeremy Pilch headshotDr Jeremy Pilch
Programme Director - Theology, Religion and Ethics

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Entry requirements

96-112UCAS points required

Check how many points your grades are worth

Calculate your total UCAS points

80 UCAS points should include at least two B grades at A Level (or equivalent).

We will make you an offer if you are within the tariff band range and you meet subject-specific requirements (where applicable).

For undergraduate programmes we will take into account subjects studied at Level 3, your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile, relevant non-academic achievements outlined in your personal statement, references and your motivation for study.

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).

Theology, Religion, and Ethics with a foundation year

The undergraduate degree with foundation year programme offers applicants without traditional qualifications or grades an alternative route to studying Theology, Religion, and Ethics.

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.

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Course content

Each year consists of 120 credits. You are expected to gain a minimum of 80 credits in modules offered by the Theology, Religion and Ethics programme, and can choose from a set of non-programme module options for the remaining 40 credits if you would like to.

Year one

  •  Core option
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Year two

  •  Core option
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Year three

  •  Core
  •  Core
  •  Core option
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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.

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Career opportunities

An awareness of theological issues and religious literacy presents numerous possible career paths, including journalism and media, teaching, the health and caring professions, various business organisations, human resources, development work, pastoral ministry, local government and civil service.

The programme affords many opportunities to acquire key transferable skills: strategic knowledge acquisition; research skills; analysis and evaluation of material; the preparation of written and oral reports, IT skills, time management; interpersonal skills such as negotiation, diplomacy, flexibility, adaptability, teamwork and delegation.

The Careers Service has more information on careers and postgraduate study options available to Theology and Religious Studies students who have started their studies at St Mary’s.

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How the degree is taught

Teaching methods

You'll be taught on our beautiful and historic campus located in Twickenham, London.

Theology, Religion, and Ethics can be studied either full-time or part-time.

Our teaching involves lectures from leading experts in the fields of Christian theology, Religion, and Ethics, drawing from St Mary's leading research centres in Religion and Theology. 

We make full use of class seminars, which encourage group work, offer a wide variety of active and interactive tasks, and provide plenty of scope for discussion. We also engage in innovative teaching methods - multimedia delivery of content, creative use of online learning environments, and the active acquisition of digital research skills - which supplement more traditional methods and ensuring the best and most engaging guidance and instruction for you.

Class sizes tend to be between 10 to 15 students.

Teaching breakdown

Learning on the course is made up through a combination of:

  • Contact time: 16%
  • Guided learning: 22%
  • Independent study: 62%

Independent study is a key feature of your degree and is crucial to furthering your knowledge.

You will receive your timetable a week before teaching is due to start at the latest.

Assessment methods

We seek to furnish your excellence, experience, and employability through a broad range of assessment methods. This includes written essays and traditional exams, but also oral presentations, short video assignments, reports or reviews of specific texts, visual portfolios of visits to centres of religious significance, interpretive exercises on ancient materials, and a dissertation assessment for final-year students assessing independent thinking and research skills.

This range of assessment methods ensures you attain a variety of skills that make the most of your acquired knowledge.

Feedback

We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within three weeks.

See how your final degree mark is calculated...

Compensated passes

Please refer to the information on compensated passes throughout your degree as outlined in the academic regulations.

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Facilities

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Fees and funding

2022/23 fees

  • Home: £9,250
  • International: £13,650

*Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Governments review of Higher Education Funding

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 may incur if you opt to take part in overseas field trips.

Scholarships

A range of scholarships and bursaries are available to new undergraduate students. This includes:

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.

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Further information


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Visit the campus

Upcoming open days

Attending an open day is a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into what life is like as a St Mary's student. During the day you'll have the chance to:

  • Speak to current students to hear about their experiences so far
  • Meet your future academics to put a name and a face to who you'll be learning from
  • Take a tour of the University and the on-campus accommodation options
  • Get involved with activities going on across campus as you explore new surroundings

Book your place now

Campus tours

There are plenty of opportunities for you to explore the campus, even if you can't make it to an Open Day. We run campus tours every Wednesday at 12pm. If you'd like to join us for one of these tours please register your place for your preferred day.

Virtual tour

We know that for it's important to you to see where you'll be living and studying before you make your decision. However, we also know that for many people it's not always easy to make it to the campus.

That's why we've developed a virtual tour of campus, allowing you to explore that facilities and the beautiful views that we have to offer.

Launch the virtual tour

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UCAS Application Timeline

1

UCAS Apply Opens

You will be able to register and begin your application, but won't yet be able to submit it.

May (year before entry)

Find out more about the application process
2

Completed applications can be submitted to UCAS

From September you'll be able to submit your UCAS application. Universities will start making decisions on applications.

September (year before entry)

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3

UCAS application deadline

You will need to submit your application by this date.

January 26th

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4

UCAS Extra opens

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, you might be able to add another choice.

Late February

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5

Replying to offers

Your deadline for replying to your offers depends on when you received all your decisions by. If you miss your deadline, UCAS will automatically decline all your offers

Spring/Summer

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6

Late applications are entered into Clearing

If your application is received after 30th June, it will be entered into Clearing.

30th June

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7

UCAS Extra application deadline

If you've used all five choices, but are not holding any offers, this will be your last chance to add an Extra choice.

Early July

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8

Clearing Opens

Clearing vacancies will be displayed in the UCAS search tool.

Early July

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9

Clearing hotline opens

On A-Level results day, we open our Clearing hotline. If you're eligible to apply through Clearing, you'll be able to apply to us via phone.

Mid-August

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10

Adjustment opens

If you've exceeded the conditions of your firm choice, you may be able to apply for an alternative course.

Mid-August

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11

Final application deadline

This is the final opportunity to apply for a course beginning in that year.

September

Find out more about Clearing
12

Clearing closes

This is your final chance to apply through Clearing. Please note: you will not be able to apply for Primary Education beyond mid-September.

October

Find out more about Clearing