Seven questions with BA Philosophy, Religion and Ethics student Ester
Ester tells us about studying at the University of Birmingham, including her favourite modules and her most memorable moment as a student.
Who are you and what do you study?
Hi! I’m Ester and I am a second-year student studying Philosophy, Religion and Ethics here at the University of Birmingham.
Why did you decide to study this subject at the University of Birmingham?
I am really interested in the world around me and how philosophy and theology impact the way we see the world. I was drawn to the University of Birmingham since learning through critical engagement is something I knew Birmingham valued as highly as I did. I didn’t just want to be told different theories and facts without opportunities for discussion. I wanted to make my own mind up! We get so many opportunities for critical engagement within contact time, lectures and seminars, and assessment tasks.
What is your favourite thing about your course?
My favourite thing about my course is how versatile it is. There is such a great choice of modules that you get to pick and choose so you can really focus the degree on what you’re interested in. I am more interested in religion and philosophy in society so I’ve done modules like “Religion in the Public Sphere”, “Gender, Sexualities and Religion”, and “Moral and Political Philosophy”. Other people that do this degree are more interested in specific religions or philosophical theories and topics and have therefore picked modules like “Ethics in Islam”, “Nitzsche”, or “Feminist Philosophy”. You can really make the degree your own!
I didn’t just want to be told different theories and facts without opportunities for discussion. I wanted to make my own mind up! We get so many opportunities for critical engagement within contact time, lectures and seminars, and assessment tasks.
What is your favourite module?
To be honest, it is pretty difficult to pick a favourite module since there have been many I have enjoyed! If I had to pick one I think it would be “Critical Issues in Theology, Religion and Education”.
In this module, we learned about and discussed what religious education looks like today and how it might affect public opinion of religion. It was a topic I never even knew would be a part of a Philosophy Theology and Religion degree at university but it gave me a real insight into how religion plays a part in so many different parts of society. We also got to do some school visits which were really interesting!
What did you find difficult when you first started studying at the University and how did you overcome it?
Everything? I felt everything was overwhelming in the beginning because you’re going through so many changes at once; moving away from your family, meeting many new people, trying to settle into a new environment, and at the same time trying to get a grip on this strange degree that you’ve chosen.
For me, it took a few weeks to get used to everything, but going to introductory meetings put on for the degree and the introductory sessions for each module really helped me get a grip on what to expect from my studies. A
fter a few weeks, a new routine started developing and I felt more and more comfortable. So, don’t worry if you feel really overwhelmed when you first come to university. You aren’t alone in feeling this way!
What is your most memorable moment so far as a student?
I have many memorable moments from my time at the University, like the first time I stepped into a 300-seat lecture theatre! But I do think some of my favourite memories are from connecting socially with other students in PTR through the events put on by the Philosophy Society. Most recently was the philosophy ball!
I felt like everything was a bit overwhelming in the beginning because you’re going through so many changes at once; moving away from your family, meeting many new people, trying to settle into a new environment, and at the same time trying to get a grip on this strange degree that you’ve chosen. So, don’t worry if you feel really overwhelmed when you first come to university. You aren’t alone in feeling this way!
Do you have any advice or top tips for anyone wishing to study Philosophy Religion and Ethics at the University of Birmingham?
To anyone that wants to study Philosophy Religion and Ethics at the University of Birmingham, I would say DO IT! For me, I know it has been the right decision. As I have mentioned, you don’t have to be interested in every single aspect of philosophy and every single aspect of religion to enjoy this degree, because you can choose the modules and write essays on the topics that you find the most interesting.