BA Religion, Society and Culture
About this course
BA (Hons) in Religion, Society and Culture, a theology and religion degree examining religion as a lived phenomenon across social, political and cultural contexts. Core topics include research methods. Research training begins in the first year and continues through a second-year project module that prepares students for the final-year dissertation, in which they explore a topic of their choice under academic supervision. The first year lays foundations through compulsory modules including Research Workshop in Theology and Religion, Islam Observed: Ethnographic Accounts of Muslim Practice, Worldview, Faith and Identity, and Introduction to the History of Christianity, which traces Christianity's relationship with its social and cultural contexts. First-year options include New Testament Greek, Introduction to Christian Theology and Introduction to Bible: Texts, History, Culture. The second year builds research skills through Research Project and Colloquium, in which students plan a project in preparation for the final dissertation. Two exploration modules are drawn from Theology and Religion or the wider Arts and Humanities faculty, with options such as Themes and Theories in the Study of Religion and Religion in the Modern World, plus two further options including Decolonising the Bible and Religion in Contemporary Britain. The final year is centred on the Dissertation, plus four optional modules such as Religion and Film, The Reformation and its Legacy, Thomas Aquinas: Context, Background, Legacy, and Theology, Nature, Environment.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
A level: AAB IB: 35 to include 665 in higher level subjects.
See the highest paying History, Philosophy & Religion degrees in the UK →
Admissions (2022 entry, home applicants)
Offer rate 100%: 25 offers from 25 applications, from the university's Freedom of Information return.
What students say
Based on about 43 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Teaching on my course: 97%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 86%
- Academic support: 96%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 95%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 80 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 96%
- Left higher education: 3%
- Moved to a lower qualification: 1%
What graduates do next
Based on about 20 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Further study: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Teaching Professionals: 15%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 15%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 5%
- Welfare Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 60%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 80 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 6%
- North West: 11%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 1%
- East Midlands: 1%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 13%
- London: 42%
- South East: 16%
- South West: 4%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 100 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Baccalaureate: 1%
- Other qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Gold for student outcomes.
Modules
- Research Workshop in Theology and Religion
- Islam Observed: Ethnographic Accounts of Muslim Practice
- Worldview, Faith and Identity
- Introduction to the History of Christianity
- Example optional modules
- Research Project and Colloquium
- Example optional modules
- Dissertation
- Example optional modules
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University earn?
The median salary is £31,000 after 15 months, £26,500 after 3 years, £34,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £29,000 and £50,500. The £34,000 median after five years is £6,500 more than the UK median for Theology and religious studies.
What do graduates of BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University?
97% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University?
The typical offer is AAB at A level. The average entrant had 155 UCAS points.
What is the offer rate for BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University?
100% of home applicants received an offer for 2022 entry: 25 offers from 25 applications, according to the university's Freedom of Information return.
Does BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Religion, Society and Culture at Durham University?
96% of students continued into their second year, and 3% left higher education.