BA Psychology and Religion

Start date
September
Duration
3 years
UCAS code
CV86
Course Type
Undergraduate, Study abroad year
Fees

Annual tuition fees for 2024/25:
£9,250 (UK)
£22,860 (International)
More detail.

Our undergraduate BA Psychology and Religion degree focuses on the role of religion and belief in society and on our everyday experiences. An understanding of both psychology and religion is essential in today’s world.

Psychology and Religion helps us understand:

  • Our relationships with others
  • Our personal experiences
  • The world around us and how society works
  • Important social issues and world events

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. You will cover questions such as:

  • What factors affect our willingness to help other people?
  • How does religion relate to our health/well-being?
  • How does religion affect our view of the world around us?

This programme is the only one like it in the world. It’s unique as it will give you a solid understanding of both Psychology and Religion as well as focusing on the intersection between both disciplines.

BA Psychology and Religion will give you the skills employers in a wide range of industries are looking for. You will learn to question the world around you and gain a wide range of skills including formulating strong arguments, problem-solving and the ability to think differently. You will become a global graduate with an awareness of global, local and cross-cultural issues.

It will set you up for a wide range of careers where understanding people is key including areas such as 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.

International undergraduate scholarships available in the College of Arts and Law

We are proud to offer 10 scholarships to international students in the form of £3,000 tuition fee awards for year one entry only.

Learn more about our scholarships and apply

There is such a strong sense of community in the department which really helped me to settle in at university. The fantastic staff are really supportive and constantly push us to pursue what we want academically.

Ross

Why study this course?

BA Psychology and Religion is right for you if...

  • You're looking for a one of a kind programme – Our BA Psychology and Religion programme is unlike any other course, giving you the chance to Psychology and Religion as well as the unique cross-section between disciplines.
  • You want to be taught by experts – You will be taught by specialists in both Psychology and Religion – two areas that in combination can be applied to address significant societal challenges that we face today. Our academics regularly work with policy-makers and advise governments and public bodies on engagement with faith communities.
  • You want flexible module choice – Tailor your degree to your interests by choosing from wide range of optional modules from both Psychology and Theology and Religion. You will complement these modules by exploring the connection between each discipline through unique core modules.
  • You're seeking interesting and diverse career paths – This degree offers an excellent preparation for any kind of career that requires understanding how people think and interact with others around them.
  • You want to live in a culturally diverse city – All faiths are well-represented in Birmingham, with more than 650 churches, mosques, synagogues and temples across the city. Birmingham is home to one of the UK’s largest Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities, the second largest Hindu community and the seventh largest Jewish community. The Department also works closely with the city’s faith leaders and communities.

This course is not accredited by the British Psychology Society. However, upon graduation, students wishing to pursue a career in Psychology can study a postgraduate conversion degree. The BA Psychology and Religion course provides an excellent grounding for further study.

Modules

Please note: You will take 120 credits of modules in each year of study. The modules listed on the website for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods. Unless indicated otherwise, the modules listed for this programme are for students starting in 2023. On rare occasions, we may need to make unexpected changes to compulsory modules; in this event we will contact offer holders as soon as possible to inform or consult them as appropriate.

Year 1 

Compulsory modules:

  • Research Methods A (Psychology - 20 credits)
  • Research Methods B (Psychology - 20 credits)
  • Introduction to the Study of Religion (20 credits)
  • Introduction to Psychology and Religion (20 credits)

You will also choose two optional modules from any first-year Psychology modules and Theology and Religion modules.   

List of Year 1 optional modules 

Year 2

Optional research methods:

  • Research Methods C (20 credits  – prerequisite for dissertation in Psychology)
  • Research Methods D (20 credits – prerequisite for dissertation in Psychology)
  • Dissertation Preparation (20 credits – prerequisite for 40-credit dissertation in Theology & Religion)

You will take your remaining credits in from any second-year Psychology modules and Theology and Religion modules, as well as from new Psychology and Religion modules (at least one from each group). 

 List of Year 2 optional modules 

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, 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.

More about a Year Abroad

Final Year

Compulsory module:

  • Psychology Project; or Dissertation (Theology & Religion) or Placement-based Dissertation (Theology & Religion)

You will take your remaining credits in from any third-year Psychology modules and Theology and Religion modules, as well as from new Psychology and Religion modules (at least one from each group). 

List of Final Year optional modules 

Fees

For UK students beginning their studies in September 2024, the University of Birmingham will charge the maximum approved tuition fee per year. The fees for your first year of study will therefore be £9,250. Visit our tuition fees page for more information.

Fees for 2024/25 are as follows:

  • UK: £9,250
  • International: £22,860

Eligibility for fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students.

For further information on tuition fees, living costs and available financial support, please see our pages on undergraduate fees and funding.

Tuition fees when studying abroad

For those spending a whole academic year abroad (where available):

  • Students who are classed as UK for fees purposes are required to pay 15% of their normal annual tuition fee
  • Students who are classed as International for fee purposes are required to pay 50% of their normal annual tuition fee

For those studying abroad for just one semester (where available), normal annual tuition fees apply.

Note - Study abroad opportunities vary between courses; please see the course description for details of study abroad options offered.

How To Apply

Try before you apply!

We’ve partnered with Springpod to create a Subject Spotlight on Theology and Religion, presented by our very own Dr Katherine Brown. This Spotlight provides a way for you to find out what it would be like to study a Theology and Religion degree. Take a look at the trailer here!

Access all of the content for free - create an account with Springpod and start exploring your future degree today!

Standard offer

International Requirements



Number of A levels required:
3
Typical offer:
AAB
General Studies:
Not accepted.

IB Diploma:
6,6,5 in Higher level subjects plus 32 points overall.

BTEC qualifications:

  • BTEC Extended Diploma: DDD.
  • BTEC Diploma: DD, plus B at A-level.
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma: D, plus AB at A-level.

Other qualifications are considered - learn more about entry requirements.

Alternative offers through our Pathways to Birmingham programmes and our Contextual Offer scheme

Students who are eligible and successfully complete a Pathways to Birmingham programme will receive special consideration from admissions tutors and an alternative offer (typically two grades below the standard offer). In addition, 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.

International Students

We welcome applications from international students and invite you to join our vibrant community of over 4500 international students who represent 150 different countries. We accept a range of qualifications, our country pages show you what qualifications we accept from your country.

Depending on your chosen course of study, you may also be interested in one of our foundation pathways, which offer specially structured programmes for international students whose qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to UK universities. Further details can be found on Birmingham International Academy web pages.

Support

You will have access to a comprehensive support system to help you make the transition to higher education when you start at Birmingham. 

Personal tutors – You will be assigned your own personal tutor who will get to know you as you progress through your studies. They will provide academic support and advice to enable you to make the most of your time here at Birmingham.

Wellbeing Officers –You will also have access to dedicated wellbeing officers who provide professional support, advice and guidance to students across a range of issues. They can meet with you to discuss extensions, disabilities, reasonable adjustments, extenuating circumstances, or to talk through any problems you might be experiencing, and help you access wider support on campus and beyond if you need it.

Our Academic Skills Centre helps you to become a more effective and independent learner through a range of high-quality support services. The centre offers workshops on a range of topics, such as note-taking, reading, academic writing and presentation skills.

The Academic Writing Advisory Service (AWAS) provides guidance on writing essays and dissertations if you need it. You can receive individual support from an academic writing advisor and meet with postgraduate tutors who specialise in particular subjects too.

Our Student Experience Team will help you get the most out of your academic experience. They offer research opportunities, study skills support, and help you prepare for your post-university career. They also organise social events, including trips.

Teaching staff

Students at the University of Birmingham are taught by a mixture of professors, senior lecturers, lecturers and doctoral researchers, thereby receiving a rich diversity of academic knowledge and experience. Many of our teaching staff have published important works about their areas of expertise, whilst others have taught at international institutions and can offer unique perspectives of their subjects.

You can find out more about the members of staff (including their qualifications, publication history and specific areas of interest) in their academic profiles linked below.

Contact Hours

All Birmingham degrees are set within a credit framework designed to measure your academic achievements. We expect all students to accumulate 120 credits in each full year of study which is equivalent to 40 hours of learning a week. Learning is considered to include contact learning (lectures and seminars), private study, revision and assessment.

For this programme, those 40 hours are estimated to be broken down and split into lectures, seminars and other guided teaching opportunities and independent study. This is a general rule across the entire academic year and may change week by week. 

Year 1: 20% Lectures, Seminars or similar, 80% Independent study
Year 2: 15% Lectures, Seminars or similar, 85% Independent study
Year 3: 15% Lectures, Seminars or similar, 85% Independent study

 

Assessment Methods

Assessments - you will be assessed in a variety of ways to help you transition to a new style of learning. At the beginning of each module, you will be given information on how and when you will be assessed. Assessments methods will vary with each module and could include:

  • coursework, such as essays
  • group and individual presentations
  • and exams

Feedback - you will receive feedback on each assessment within three weeks, so you can learn from each assignment. You will also be given feedback on any exams that you take. If you should fail an exam, we will ensure that particularly detailed feedback is provided to help you prepare for future exams.

 

Assessment is much more than just a way of measuring performance, it is a tool for learning. In many modules, you will have both formal and informal opportunities for feedback on your performance. In fact, our feedback for formal assessment exercises has frequently been praised by external examiners for being comprehensive, constructive, and offering clear and specific suggestions for future improvements.

Studying Psychology and Religion at the University of Birmingham will provide you with skills highly sought after by employers within the graduate job market:

  • Analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
  • Understanding complex information
  • Writing clearly and effectively
  • Integrating knowledge from different disciplines
  • Critically engaging with information gained from different methodologies 

This programme may be of particular interest to students with counselling/pastoral care/well-being interests.

This course is not accredited by the British Psychology Society. However, upon graduation, students wishing to pursue a career in Psychology can study a postgraduate conversion degree. The BA Psychology and Religion course provides an excellent grounding for further study.

Developing your career

The University of Birmingham is the 3rd most targeted university by the country’s top graduate employers according to The Graduate Market 2023 report [PDF - 1.4MB]. Our Careers Network are here to offer you tailored, expert advice on your career plans and support you with finding and applying for jobs, internships and further study. There are hundreds of events to help you meet potential employers and learn more about the breadth of opportunities and career sectors available to you.

Support will be offered to you covering the whole job application process, including CVs, LinkedIn, application forms, interviews and assessment centres.  You can also email our experienced Careers Advisors and College Teams to review your applications or answer any careers related question, alongside our on campus and online 1:1 appointments.

We have a number of exclusive Internship Programmes such as our Cultural Internships, which will give you paid, professional experience to set you apart in the graduate market. We also offer work experience bursaries, which allow you to apply for funding to support you during any unpaid internships. 

First years can take part in The Birmingham Project, with themes including celebrating arts and culture and shaping a global society. There’s also a successful Mentoring Programme, where you can gain access to experienced Mentors who can empower, inspire and inform you about their experiences.  As a University of Birmingham student you will also be given access to LinkedIn Learning giving free access to real world training courses to kick-start your careers.

If you want to earn money WorkLink advertises convenient part-time job opportunities on campus to fit round your studies.  

Extra-curricular activities

To enhance your career prospects even further, you may want to engage in extra-curricular activities to broaden your skills and your network of contacts. Our employer-endorsed, award-winning Personal Skills Award (PSA) recognises your extra-curricular activities, and provides an accredited employability programme.

There are more than 500 student groups and volunteering opportunities offered by the Guild of Students (our Students’ Union) so you’re bound to find activities that you want to be involved in whilst meeting friends who share your interests.