Our Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA (Hons) course scored 98% for teaching and 100% for academic support in the National Student Survey 2023. Our philosophy and religious studies courses were also ranked 7th for teaching and 1st for academic support in the UK.
This course is as much about engaging with a rich diversity of religious traditions, philosophical ideas and ethical values as it is about examining the ways in which they shape and change the world we live in today.
You’ll study, critically and in depth, the world religions, emergent spiritualities, philosophy from the Greeks to transhumanism, and ethical theories – not just as a way of understanding how they have influenced our past but their central role in our future. So we fully encourage you to look at how these ideas, beliefs and practices inform and interact with aspects of contemporary social justice, the environment, politics, race and gender.
We also believe you have to experience the subject and so we regularly take religion, philosophy and ethics out of the lecture room into the world. We’ve organised international field trips to India and Spain, as well as local field trips in the UK. You’ll also have opportunities to work with local charities and communities who are committed to social justice.
Community links
We’ve developed excellent relationships with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Wales), the post lineage yoga community and the Glastonbury Heathen and Pagan communities.
Study style
Our approach to the subject is through student-centred and research-led teaching. You’ll study in smaller seminar groups all of which will be led by our academically respected subject experts and a variety of guest speakers. We’ll engage with you directly through stimulating interactive sessions that include discussions, debates, and presentations.
Your learning will also be enhanced by a range of field trips – both national and international – and we’re currently developing a dynamic programme of placement opportunities with a number of organisations who are involved with issues concerning social justice and sustainability. This allows you to make the most of your time at the university while developing key critical skills – such as being able to analyse complex problems and offer solutions with evidence and work creatively with others. We believe these are the abilities you’ll need for your future career and will be greatly valued in the world beyond university.