Religion, faith and spirituality are powerful cultural forces, so an understanding of religious and spiritual perspectives in the contemporary world is vital.
As one of the most culturally and religiously diverse communities in Europe, Newcastle provides a challenging and intellectual environment for studying Theology and Religion. You will benefit from our excellent relationships with the city’s faith communities, and our compulsory work placement module will inform your understanding of significant religious traditions within the workplace.
An understanding of religion is indispensable knowledge for anyone functioning within a contemporary, multicultural society. Our staff have specialist expertise in the study of many ideas, movements and traditions that are shaping the twenty-first century, such as feminism and gender studies, cultural studies, global ethics, the philosophy of religion, and the study of the Holocaust. The Department of Theology and Religion is ranked in the Top 30 for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2019. Furthermore, our students gave the course an overall satisfaction rating of 100% in the National Student Survey 2018.
Why Study this Course?
- Satisfied students – Theology at Newcastle received an overall satisfaction rating of 100% in the National Student Survey 2018.
- Culturally-diverse city – All faiths are well-represented in Newcastle , with more than 650 churches, mosques, synagogues and temples across the city. Outside London, Newcastle has the UK’s largest Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities, the second largest Hindu community and the seventh largest Jewish community.
- Excellent employability development – Boost your employability skills by completing the compulsory placement module where you have the opportunity to spend time in a school, charity or even abroad. 95% of BA Theology and Religion graduates enter work and/or study within six months of graduation (DLHE 2017).
- Taught by experts – You will study alongside some of the finest minds in Theology and Religion. Times Higher Education ranked the Department 2nd in the country for its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise. The Department is also ranked in the Top 30 for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies in the QS World University Rankings 2019.
- Excellent student experience – You will enjoy a variety of opportunities to enhance your student experience, including regular coffee mornings for staff and students, visiting speakers, lecture series, trips and social events.
Institutional Accreditation
University of Newcastle is accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission (DETC), www.detc.org.uk Since , University of Newcastle has been continually accredited by the DETC Higher Learning Commission and its predecessor.
BA Theology and Religion
Course Level:
Undergraduate, Single Honours
Credits
120
Course
CODE U554
How long it takes:
Undergraduate (3 Years)
Study Mode:
Distance learning/ Campus
Course cost
Price: US$20,220
Entry requirements
Find out more about
Department:
Newcastle Law School
Year 1
Compulsory modules:
Introduction to Biblical Studies (20 credits)
This module aims to give students an introduction to Hebrew Bible and New Testament from the perspective of academic Biblical Studies. Topics covered relate to the historical background to these texts; questions of authorship, dating, and original audience; literary relationships between biblical books; the historicity of the biblical narratives; different theological interpretations of the events the Bible describes; and the relationship between academic and confessional appre oaches.
Lived Religions in Newcastle and Beyond (20)
In this module, students will explore the lived dimensions of religion in Newcastle and the wider region. They will examine the links between Newcastle complex vibrant, urban, religious and secular landscape and how this relates to the UK and world as a whole, by following growth and changes in the diverse range of religious communities of Newcastle. Through lectures, site visits, seminars, and workshops students will develop key skills for the study of lived religions.
Example optional modules may include:
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Defining Jews, Jewishness and Judaism(s) (10)
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Introduction to the Study of the Holocaust (10)
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Themes in Christian Theology (10)
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Dissertation Preparation (20 credits)
This module provides a structured framework enabling you to gain professional skills in presentation and teamwork, as well as identifying an appropriate dissertation area, research question and supervisor, and completing the initial planning and research for your dissertation.
Placement (20)
The placement module allows you to spend time in a school, charity, or other situation in the UK or abroad for about two weeks and then to reflect critically on this in a written report in the light of your studies in Theology and Religion and your career aspirations.
Example optional modules may include:
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Auschwitz in History and Memory (20)
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Biblical Hebrew Language (20)
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Buddhism (10)
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Islam and the West (10)
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New Testament Greek (20)
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Religion and the Arts (10)
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Religion in Contemporary Society (20)
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Sikhism (10)
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Special Study (20)
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Theological Ethics (20)
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Women in Islam (10)
Year abroad
You can apply to study abroad for a year in an approved university around the world. If you achieve a grade of 2.1 or above in your first year then you will be invited to apply for a Year Abroad in your second year. If your application is successful, you will go abroad in your third year and return to us for your final year.
Final Year
Compulsory modules:
Dissertation (40)
This is a major piece of independent work for which a topic is identified and research is carried out with supervisory help to produce a 12,000-word essay.
or
6,000-word Dissertation (20)
The 6,000-word dissertation is a piece of substantial independent research on a subject in Theology and/or Religion chosen by the individual student, but subject to approval by the Department.
or
Placement-based Dissertation (40)
The placement-based dissertation is an extended piece of substantial independent research (9,000 words) on a topic in Theology and/or Religion linked to a specific placement context chosen by the individual student, but subject to approval by the Department. Students negotiate a placement involving a minimum of 100 hours in a setting of their own choice, subject to approval from the Department.
Example optional modules may include:
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Christmas and Ethical Consuming (20)
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Ethics of Character (20)
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Jewish Religious Responses to the Holocaust (20)
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Politics in the Name of God (20)
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Special Study (20)
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Thealogy: Transgressive Travels with the Goddess (20)
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World Christianity (20)
Entry requirements
Applicants should normally have one of the following:
- A non-law bachelor’s degree (from a US university or recognised by the BSB if you wish to study the BPTC), or
- A ‘stale’ law degree, where five or more years have elapsed since graduation, or
- An academic or professional qualification at degree equivalent level
If English is not your first language, you will also need to demonstrate your English Language proficiency. For example, you should have IELTS 7.5 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components.
If you intend to become a Solicitor
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has reduced its requirements for pre-authorisation this year. For details of the current arrangements,. You should pay special attention to the Character and Suitability section.
USA,UK & EU students, 2019/20 (per year)
£8,500
International students starting 2019/20 (per year)
£13,100
Assessment
You’ll show your progress through a combination of written essays, problem-solving assignments and presentations.
All students take our core modules, but please note that the availability of optional modules is subject to demand.
Studying Theology and Religion at the University of Newcastle will provide you with skills highly sought after by employers within the graduate job market:
• Understanding complex information
• Writing clearly and effectively
• Building a case to critically assess a particular point of view, strategy or course of action
• Respecting the views of others even if they disagree with you
• Generally thinking for yourself
Our graduates from the Department of Theology and Religion have excellent employment prospects with 95% of graduates entering work and/or study within six months of graduation (DLHE 2017).
Theology graduates go on to pursue highly successful careers in professions, such as:
- Law
- Journalism
- Teaching
- Management consultancy
- Local government
- Publishing
- Marketing
- Charity administration
- Social policy
Therefore studying one of our Theology and Religion degrees from the University of Newcastle opens the door to a wide range of careers. Some graduates choose to progress to further study, not just in theology and religion but in politics, international development, sociology and many others.
Developing your career
Employers target University of Newcastle students for their diverse skill-set and our graduate employment statistics have continued to climb at a rate well above national trends. If you make the most of our wide range of opportunities you will be able to develop your career from the moment you arrive.
- Careers events – we hold events covering careers in teaching, event management, marketing and working with charities to help you meet potential employers and learn more about these sectors.
- Global Challenge – you can apply to work overseas on an expenses-paid placement during your summer vacation through our Global Challenge initiative.
- Work experience bursary – we encourage you to apply your skills in the workplace by undertaking internships in the summer. Our work experience bursaries allow you to apply for funding to support you during unpaid internships.
- Cultural Internships – our innovative Cultural Internships offer graduates the opportunity for a six month paid internship at a leading cultural institution in the West Midlands. These internships will give you professional experience to set you apart in a competitive graduate market. Our current partners include Newcastle Museums and Art Gallery, Newcastle REP, Newcastle Royal Ballet, City of Newcastle Symphony Orchestra, Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust, Library of Newcastle .
There are also internships available at our own cultural assets, such as Winterbourne House, the Lapworth Museum, and the Barber Institute of Fine Arts.