Ranking
Top 10
in the UK for Theology
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Course overview
What factors affect our willingness to help other people? How does religion relate to our health and well-being? How does religion affect our view of the world around us?
These are just some of the questions you'll address on this course, gaining a solid grounding in psychological study as you explore the role of religion and belief in our society.
Course highlights
- Top 10
in the UK for Theology
Complete University Guide 2026
- Top 20
in the UK for Psychology
Complete University Guide 2026
Understand and interpret the world around you with our unique programme – the only one like it in the world. Psychology and Religion helps us understand our relationships with others, our personal experience of the world, important social issues and world events and so much more. You will learn how we interpret information from the media and those around us. You will find out why we react the way we do in certain situations, as individuals and as a society, and how religion shapes the choices we make.
A one-of-a-kind programme - this course is unlike any other, combining Psychology, Religion and the unique cross-section between disciplines.
Flexible and fascinating module selection – choose from options like Psychobiology, Developmental Psychology, Life After Death and Religion and the Arts.
An excellent grounding – you can choose to study a postgraduate conversion degree to pursue a career in Psychology.
Taught by experts - our academics regularly work with policy-makers and advise governments and public bodies on engagement with faith communities.
You’ll learn to question the world around you and gain a wide range of skills – formulate strong arguments, problem solve and develop your ability to think differently. Become a global graduate with an awareness of global, local and cross-cultural issues.These skills will set you up for a wide range of careers where understanding people is key: think Marketing, Policy, Law and Order, Social Care and Politics. If you choose to follow a career in Psychology, this course will give you the solid foundations you need to go on to further study to become a qualified Psychologist.
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Course delivery
Study at the University of Birmingham and learn from world-class experts—authors of key works and leaders with global teaching and research experience.
Lecture
Seminar
Tutorial
- Lectures: These give you an insightful, expert introduction to key topics; they also provide guidance to support your reading and assessments.
- Seminars: These are small group discussions where you share and test ideas with your academic tutor and your peers. Seminars help you understand topics better and build confidence in sharing your thoughts.
Support during your studies
At Birmingham, you’ll have plenty of support to help you adjust to university life:
- Personal Academic Tutors: You'll have a tutor assigned to you who will guide and support you throughout your studies.
- Wellbeing Officers: The Wellbeing team help with extensions, disabilities, extenuating circumstances, or any personal challenges. They’ll also connect you with further support on campus or elsewhere.
- Academic Writing Advisory Service: Tutorials, workshops and support in structuring an argument and developing your own academic voice.
- Student Experience Team: They offer research opportunities, and cultural, intellectual and social activities to enhance your university experience.
Contact hours
Your degree is designed to help you achieve 120 credits per year, which equals about 40 hours of learning each week. This includes lectures, seminars, workshops, independent study, revision, and assessments.
Assessment methods
You’ll be assessed in different ways to suit each module. At the start of a module, you’ll be told how and when you’ll be assessed. Methods will vary but may include coursework (e.g., essays), group or individual presentations and projects, exams, reports or computer-based assignments.
Feedback: You will receive timely feedback on each assessment, so you can learn from it and improve your performance in future assessments.
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
The optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available, we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
Year 1
Year 1
2026/27 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Discover: The Study of Religion | 20 |
| Introduction to the Psychology of Religion | 20 |
| Research Methods A | 20 |
| Research Methods B | 20 |
Students must choose 20 credits from the Psychology list and 20 credits from the Theology and Religion listbelow
Optional Psychology modules:
Optional Theology modules:
*Note: the list of modules given is indicative only; it may be that not all modules will run in any given year.
Year 2
Year 2
2027/28 Session
Students are reminded that their third year dissertation/Project options each have a pre-requisite module in second year, meaning students must take either Methods C+D, or Dissertation Preparation.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation Preparation | 20 |
| Research Methods C | 20 |
| Research Methods D | 20 |
Students must choose optional LI modules to a combined total of 120 credits.
Psychology example options:
- Language and Communication
- Neural Basis of Vision and Action
- Social and Cognitive Development
Y2 Theology
Theology and Religion example options:
- Auschwitz in History and Memory
- Evil in the Human Condition
- Religion in the Public Sphere
- Gender, Sexualities and Religion
Psychology of Religion example option:
- Representations of the Divine
Year 3
Year 3
2028/29 Session
Students must choose one module from the following list: Students opting for the 40-credit dissertation in T&R must have taken Dissertation Preparation in their second year of study.
Students opting for a Project in Psychology must have taken Research Methods C and D in their second year of study.
| Module title | Credits |
|---|---|
| Dissertation (Theology & Religion) | 40 |
| Dissertation (Theology and Religion) | 20 |
| Project | 40 |
Students must take optional modules so that in total for the year they take 120 credits.
Students must complete at least 20 credits in each subject area: Psychology; Theology and Religion; Psychology of Religion. The Dissertation/Project choice above can contribute.
Psychology example options:
- Adolescence: Mind and Brain
- Vision in the Real World
- What Motivates You?
- The Mind Detective: Understanding how the mind works by looking at what happens when it is damaged
Theology and Religion example options:
- Christmas and Ethical Consuming
- Power, Society and Identity
- Atheisms: From Voltaire to Dawkins
- Psychology, Religion, and Well-being
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, you will be eligible 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.
Entry requirements
To secure a place at Birmingham, you'll need to meet our general entry requirements as well as those specific to your course.
- A Level
AAB
- IB
6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.
- BTEC
BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD. Equivalents accepted, see below for full information.
A Level
AAB or equivalent.
IB Diploma
6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.
BTEC qualifications
- BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD.
- BTEC Diploma: DD, plus a B at A level.
- BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A level.
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Applicants who take the EPQ and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in the EPQ. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
Core Maths qualification
Applicants who take the Core Maths qualification and meet our offer criteria will be made the typical offer for their programme of choice, plus an alternative offer which will be one grade lower plus a grade A in Core Maths. If you are also taking A-level Maths, you will not be eligible for an alternative offer through studying Core Maths. This offer would apply if you make Birmingham your firm choice.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 22 in Speaking and 21 in Writing.
- IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in any band.
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): PTE 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills.
- Cambridge English(exams taken from 2015): Cambridge English: Advanced Minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- Language Cert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 ‘Communicator’ with no less than 33 in each skill
- Trinity ISE II: Not applicable
- Trinity ISE III: Pass in each Skill
Presessional English courses
If you have a conditional offer for Birmingham where English is a requirement, you can take a Presessional English course as an alternative to retaking IELTS or a similar qualification. We offer on-campus courses all year round starting from September, including additional online courses in the summer term. Teaching takes place in small classes with no more than 18 students to maximise class participation.
Am I likely to receive an offer for 2026?
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Alternative Offers
Students who are eligible and complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard offer.
Our Contextual Offer scheme
Our Contextual Offer scheme recognises the potential of students whose personal circumstances may have restricted achievement in school or college. If you are eligible to benefit from the Contextual Offer scheme, you will receive an offer which is one grade lower than the standard offer. You don’t need to apply for this – it will be assessed and applied at the point of application if you’re eligible.
- Pathways to Birmingham
BBB - A level
- Contextual Offer
ABB - A level
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students.
- £9,535*
per year for domestic (UK) students for 2026/27
*The University will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. If Parliament agrees on an increase in tuition fees, the University will increase fees for each year of study, normally in line with these changes and will communicate any change in the fees to you without delay. The fee for September 2025 entry was £9,535 for UK students. If you are applying for 2026 entry, you will be advised of the annual tuition fee once it is confirmed by the Government.
Undergraduate loans
To help with the cost of studies, undergraduate students from the UK can apply for student finance through the Student Loans Company. The support available is made up of a tuition fee loan and a maintenance loan which helps to cover living costs.
Scholarships, grants and bursaries
At Birmingham, we believe that financial worries should not be a barrier to accessing higher education. That’s why we offer a range of additional financial support for students through scholarships, bursaries and other awards.
Financial support for Home students
If you're a UK student and starting university in September 2026, find out more about what financial support is available to you.
Financial support for International students
We want to help you reach your full potential. Explore our wide variety of scholarships available for international students.
Application process
Whatever your journey to university looks like, we’re here to support you every step of the way. For all undergraduate courses at Birmingham, you apply online through UCAS. The UCAS website has lots of information and advice around the process.
- 14 January 2026
Application deadline for September 2026 entry. Applications close at 18:00 GMT.
View further information on how to apply for undergraduate courses, including advice for UK and overseas applicants.
Career opportunities
Studying within the department of Theology and Religion at Birmingham 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
Career destinations
Our Theology and Religion students have gone on to secure roles such as Community Development Worker, Policy Officer, Paralegal, Researcher, and Religious Minister, working for organisations such as:
- BBC
- NHS
- UK Civil Service
- National Grid
- The Labour Party
The University has commissioned Cturtle as our data partner for tracking our alumni destinations. The data above is a subset from 43,666 alumni who completed their course up to 31 July 2024.
The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
The Graduate Market in 2025, High Fliers report
Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.
Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
Careers Network
Our aim is to make sure that success in your studies leads you on to a fulfilling career. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offer support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Built in Birmingham. Forged for the future.
Hear from some of our inspiring alumni who have gone on to work for leading employers such as the UK Space Agency and BBC Sport.
Upcoming events
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Student experience
Your experience studying at Birmingham will give you the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community, and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to Birmingham to study might be your first time living away from home. In our student accommodation, you can enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming and sociable surroundings.
Living in Birmingham
Our cosmopolitan city has a unique history and so much to see and do. With an ever-changing food and drink scene, a vibrant nightlife and plenty of culture, our city is more than somewhere to study.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus.
Campus life
Our beautiful campus is the place where our diverse community comes together to learn and socialise. Like a town of its own, it’s just minutes from the hustle and bustle of the UK’s second city.
Flexible programmes to suit you
Not sure what you want to study?
Explore your options for combining subjects and shape your degree around your interests, whilst developing key skills for the world of work.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our beautiful campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of historic and modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.