| UCAS code | V617 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Theology and Religion |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | V618 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Theology and Religion |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | V620 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Theology and Religion |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
| UCAS code | V619 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 4 years |
| Entry year | 2025 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Theology and Religion |
| Contact | Web: Enquire online |
| Typical offer | A-Level: AAB |
|---|---|
|
A-Level: BBB |
Overview
- Study religion from a range of perspectives to understand how it shapes societies, taught by world-leading researchers on religion, global challenges, and social justice
- Learn to think critically about how academic disciplines understand culture, society, and religion, and their respective methods of inquiry about religious beliefs and practices
- Study contemporary topics such as religion and criminal justice, gender identity, war, communications, the ethics of AI, and how cultures and societies respond to and remember traumatic events
- Engage with places, material cultures, rituals and practices, learning that religion is as much about what people do and make as what they think and believe
- Join our thriving Theology Society, which organizes trips, social events, debates and more
No. 1 in the UK for our world-leading research in Theology and Religious Studies
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 10 for Theology and Religious Studies in the UK subject rankings
6th in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Opportunities for study abroad and employment experience in the UK or abroad
No. 1 in the UK for our world-leading research in Theology and Religious Studies
Research Excellence Framework 2021
Top 10 for Theology and Religious Studies in the UK subject rankings
6th in the Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Top 100 in the world for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies
QS World University Subject Rankings 2024
Opportunities for study abroad and employment experience in the UK or abroad
Entry requirements (typical offer)
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| A-Level | AAB | n/a |
| IB | 34/665 | n/a |
| BTEC | DDD | n/a |
| GCSE | C or 4 | English Language |
| Access to HE | 30 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 15 L3 credits at Merit Grade | N/A |
| T-Level | Distinction | N/A |
| Contextual Offer | A-Level: BBB |
Specific subject requirements must still be achieved where stated above. Find out more about contextual offers. |
| Other accepted qualifications | ||
| English language requirements |
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country. |
|
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Grades advertised on each programme webpage are the typical level at which our offers are made and provide information on any specific subjects an applicant will need to have studied in order to be considered for a place on the programme. However, if we receive a large number of applications for the programme we may not be able to make an offer to all those who are predicted to achieve/have achieved grades which are in line with our typical offer. For more information on how applications are assessed and when decisions are released, please see: After you apply
Course content
BA Religion, Culture and Society offers you the chance to study religion in the public square and contemporary contexts from a range of different perspectives, to understand how religions have shaped societies from the ancient past until the present day and continue to play a part in understanding and responding to global challenges.
You will have the opportunity to choose modules that reflect your interests – ranging from how debates around issues such as gender identity and the ethics of AI intersect with religion, to how cultures and societies respond to and remember traumatic events.
The first year offers an introduction to key concepts and an overview of different approaches to the study of religion, culture, and society. In the second and third years you will have the opportunity to choose optional modules as you build a programme that follows your personal interests and passions.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
75 credits of compulsory modules, 45 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE1120 | What is Religion? | 30 |
| THE1121 | Religion and Material Culture | 15 |
| THE1122 | Introducing Social-Scientific Approaches to Religion | 15 |
| THE1076 | Religion in the Modern World | 15 |
Optional modules
A - THE1072 and THE1070 run in alternate years
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE1101 | The Bible: Past and Present | 15 |
| THE1123 | Reform, Retreat, and Reinvention: A History of Christianity | 15 |
| THE1124 | God and the World: Constructive Christian Theology | 15 |
| THE1125 | Religion, Philosophy and Ethics | 15 |
| THE1072 | Introducing Biblical Hebrew [see note a above] | 15 |
| THE1070 | Elements of New Testament Greek [see note a above] | 15 |
60 credits of compulsory modules, 60 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
B - Students will select 60 credits from the compulsory module group.
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE2221 | God, Food, and Alcohol in Israelite Cultures [see note b above] | 30 |
| THE2224 | Modern Jewish History and Thought [see note b above] | 30 |
| THE2225 | Trans Studies in Christianity and Judaism [see note b above] | 30 |
| THE2227 | Military Ethics in Religious and Philosophical Perspectives [see note b above] | 30 |
| THE2152 | Evolution, God and Gaia [see note b above] | 30 |
Optional modules
Choose 60 credits of options
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE2147 | Early Christian Women: Eve, Mary, Thecla | 30 |
| THE2173 | Life and Death in Israel and Judah | 30 |
| THE2185 | Incarnation: Topics in Philosophical Theology | 30 |
| THE2226 | The Transformation of Modern Orthodox Christianity | 30 |
Find out more about study abroad or employment experience under Course variants.
30 credits of compulsory modules, 90 credits of optional modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE3121 | Dissertation: Religion, Culture and Society | 30 |
Optional modules
Choose 90 credits of options
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| THE3026 | Postcolonial Theology | 30 |
| THE3210 | Encounters between Religions | 30 |
| THE3196 | Encounters in Philosophy and Theology | 30 |
| THE3199 | Theology and Criminal Justice | 30 |
| THE3218 | The Invention of God | 30 |
| THE3219 | Religion and Holocaust Memory in Public Life | 30 |
Course variants
UCAS code: V618
Our four-year ‘with Study Abroad’ degree offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, studying with one of our many partner universities.
Why study abroad?
Living and studying in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends. Students who have studied abroad demonstrate initiative, independence, motivation and, depending on where they stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language – all key qualities that employers are looking for in today’s competitive employment environment.
Where can I study abroad?
We have partnership arrangements with many prestigious institutions across the globe. Exactly where you can apply to study will depend on the subjects you are studying at Exeter. For a full list please visit the Study Abroad website.
Does it count towards my degree?
Credit for academic work during your year abroad is arranged by agreement between the University of Exeter and the host institution. These marks are then translated back into your degree at Exeter. If you are studying abroad for a semester or full year, your time abroad will count toward your final degree. Please refer to your College Study Abroad co-ordinator for further details.
How does it affect my tuition fee and funding?
For the year that you spend studying abroad you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter, but nothing to your host university – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your Study Abroad year.
UCAS code: V620
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience’ degree offers you the possibility of spending your third year carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements within the UK as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience?
Undertaking graduate-level work during your degree unlocks a world of experience that allows you to develop essential employability and interpersonal skills that relate to your degree and future career. A work placement will dramatically boost your confidence, enhance your CV and develop graduate-level skills and competencies that employers are looking for.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fees and funding?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Find out more
Learn more about employment experience opportunities.
UCAS code: V619
Our four-year ‘with Employment Experience Abroad’ degree offers you the possibility of spending your third year abroad, carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements as part of your degree.
Why choose to include Employment Experience Abroad?
Spending up to a year living and working in a different country is an exciting experience that broadens your academic and cultural horizons, as well as giving you the opportunity to widen your circle of friends.
By carrying out a graduate-level work placement or placements abroad you can demonstrate to employers your adaptability, cultural awareness, independence and resourcefulness and, depending on where you stay, may also have gained a working knowledge of another language.
Where will I do my work placement?
The sector and country you choose to work within is very much your choice as you will be responsible for finding and organising your placement. We will provide plenty of guidance and support during your first and second years which will prepare you to research and apply for placements. Ultimately, the university will give final approval to your placement to make sure you have a valuable experience.
How does it affect my tuition fee?
For your ‘Year In Industry’ you will pay a significantly reduced tuition fee to Exeter – for more information visit our fees pages. If you were previously eligible, you will continue to receive a maintenance loan whilst on your year of work placement/s.
Is the placement paid?
You will be paid in accordance with the rules of the country you work in and there may be visa restrictions or requirements which you need to consider when applying.
Find out more
Learn more about employment experience opportunities.
Fees
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
UK students: £9,535 per year
International students: £24,700 per year
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students, such as our Global Excellence Scholarships*. Financial support is also available for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lower income households and other under-represented groups to help them access, succeed and progress through higher education.
* Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Learning and teaching
Our teaching is closely linked to our innovative research, giving you the opportunity to explore many diverse topics concerning religion, culture and society, and religion’s interactions with the public sphere.
How will I learn?
The nature of university learning, especially in the humanities, involves a lot of self-directed study and research. As well as traditional lectures, seminars, and small group tutorials, led by internationally respected academics at the forefront of research, you’ll be encouraged to take the initiative by organising study groups, taking advantage of online and traditional learning resources, and managing your own workload and time.
Strong emphasis is placed on acquiring a variety of skills that will be attractive to employers in your future working life.
Class sizes and contact time
Class sizes are on average 25-35 students for lectures and 10-15 students for seminar. You’ll have around 10 hours of contact time with staff per week in your first year, and you’ll need to do around 30 additional hours of self-directed study and research per week.
Modules are designed to help you develop a range of intellectual, transferable and personal skills throughout your degree. Our Staff-Student Liaison Committee meets once a term to review existing modules, consider new ones and discuss ways our courses can be improved.
Innovative teaching
Our approach to religion, culture and society is interdisciplinary and relates the broad areas studied to politics, social sciences, the arts, material culture, literary studies, ethics and more.
We’re actively engaged in introducing new methods of learning and teaching, including increasing use of interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment where the details of all modules are stored in an easily navigable website. Students can access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes, and interact through activities such as the discussion forums.
Other opportunities
Each year we arrange various guest lectures and study days led by visiting speakers, including the regular series of Prideaux Lectures and Posbury St Francis Lectures which showcase the work of international scholars in religion, culture and society. Students also have the opportunity to learn from guest lecturers and other visiting experts and practitioners.
Research-inspired teaching
We believe that every student benefits from being part of a culture that is inspired by research and where modules are taught by experts. Your lecturers will be contributing to the latest developments in their field and their teaching will be highly relevant to contemporary issues. We have a vigorous research culture spanning a wide range of subject areas, with strengths in religion, ethics, social contexts, and public issues.
Academic support
All students have a Personal Tutor who is available for advice and support throughout your studies. There are also several services on campus where you can get advice and information, including the Students’ Guild Advice Unit.
Assessment
Assessments vary across modules and may include diverse assessment types such as essays, seminar presentations, group work tasks, blogs and wikis, podcasts, and analysis of written, visual and other texts. In the second and final years, coursework (including assessed seminar presentations and essays) is likely to account for the majority of your assessment depending on which modules you choose.
You must pass your first-year modules in order to proceed; however, this level does not count towards your final degree classification. To be eligible for ‘Study Abroad’ you will need to attain an average of 60% or more in your first year. The assessments in your second year, year abroad (if applicable) and final year will contribute to your final degree classification.
Optional modules outside of this course
Each year, if you have optional modules available, you can take up to 30 credits in a subject outside of your course. This can increase your employability and widen your intellectual horizons.
Proficiency in a second subject
If you complete 60 credits of modules in one of the subjects below, you may have the words 'with proficiency in [e.g. Social Data Science]' added to your degree title when you graduate.
- A Foreign Language
- Data Science
- Entrepreneurship
- Innovation
- Law (Penryn Campus only)
- Leadership
- Management
- Social Data Science
Your future
Employer-valued skills this course develops
Studying Religion, Culture and Society will provide you with valuable skills and abilities which are attractive to employers and relevant for a wide range of careers, such as:
- An understanding of other people’s points of view
- An in-depth knowledge of different cultures
- The ability to communicate your position clearly
- Effective debating skills
- Interpretation and analysis of sources
- Interpersonal skills
- The ability to use your initiative and be open-minded
Career support
We have a dedicated, award-winning Careers Service, ensuring you have access to careers advisors, mentors and the tools you need to succeed in finding employment in your chosen field on graduation. The Exeter Award and the Exeter Leaders Award schemes encourage you to participate in employability related workshops, skills events, volunteering and employment which will contribute to your career decision-making skills and success in the employment market.
Our graduates compete very successfully in the employment market, with many employers targeting the University when recruiting new graduates.
Career paths
We predict that graduates of this degree may find employment in:
- NGOs, charities and the third sector;
- culture and heritage work;
- policy and government roles;
- education;
- community work, faith settings and beyond.
Further study
A degree in Religion, Culture and Society will also put you in an excellent position to pursue postgraduate study after you have graduated. You may be interested in enrolling on courses such as:
- MA Social Work
- MA Theology and Religion
- Graduate Diploma in Law
- MTS (Master of Theological Studies) in Religion, Literature and Culture
