Philosophy and Theology

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 11.7 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 29.2 k / Year(s) Deadline: Oct 15, 2024
1 place StudyQA ranking:3921 Duration:3 years

Photos of university / #oxford_uni

Philosophy and Theology brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding and assessing the intellectual claims of religion.

The study of Philosophy develops analytical rigour and the ability to criticise and reason logically. It allows you to apply these skills to many contemporary and historical schools of thought and individual thinkers, and to questions ranging from how we acquire knowledge and form moral judgements to central questions in the philosophy of religion, including the existence and nature of God and the relevance of religion to human life.

The study of Theology provides an understanding of the intellectual underpinning of religious traditions, and of the social and cultural contexts for religious belief and practice. It brings together a wide range of skills and disciplines, historical, textual, linguistic, sociological, literary-critical and philosophical.

The degree is constructed in the belief that the parallel study of these related disciplines leads to a deeper understanding of each. The Philosophy Faculty is the largest in the UK, and one of the largest in the world. Many faculty members have a worldwide reputation, and library and other facilities are acknowledged as among the best in the country.

The Faculty of Theology and Religion has more than 100 members ranging from experts in the ancient languages and literature of the world’s religions to church historians and systematic theologians. Its reputation and excellent library facilities attract scholars from all over the world.

P&T Careers

Philosophy and Theology graduates have secured wide-ranging positions as authors, writers, newspaper and periodical editors, academics and teachers. Recent graduates include a barrister, a member of a political think tank, a student at the Royal Academy of Music and a marketing executive for a philanthropy adviser. Others have entered careers such as commerce, banking, financial services and communications.

Work is divided between tutorials (usually one or two weekly), lectures (typically six to eight weekly), and (when studying certain topics) some classes. A large part of your week will be spent in private study to prepare essays for tutorials.

1st year

Courses

Four papers are taken:

  • The figure of Jesus through the centuries
  • General philosophy
  • Logic and moral philosophy

and one of the following:

  • Introduction to the study of the Bible
  • Religion and religions
  • New Testament Greek
  • Biblical Hebrew
  • Qur’anic Arabic
  • Church Latin
  • Pali
  • Sanskrit

Assessment

First University examinations: One written paper in each of four subjects

2nd and 3rd years

Compulsory core subjects:

Students take eight papers, either five in Philosophy and three in Theology, or five in Theology and three in Philosophy, or four in each. A thesis may replace one of the eight papers.

All students study:

  • Ethics or Knowledge and reality
  • Early modern philosophy or Plato’s Republicor Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics
  • Philosophy of religion

Remaining papers are chosen from a wide range of options

The options listed above are illustrative and may change. More information about current options is available on the Philosophy and Theology websites.

Assessment

Final University examinations: Eight papers (assessed either by written examination or by submitted coursework, depending upon the option), or seven papers plus a thesis

  • Attestat o Srednam Obrazovanii (Certificate of Secondary Education) would not be sufficient for candidates to make a competitive application. If your qualification is listed as being insufficient to make a competitive application to Oxford, then you will need to undertake further study if you wish to apply.You could take British A-levels (the British Council may know where you can take A-levels in your country), the International Baccalaureate (IB), or any other qualifications listed as acceptable on this page. The first year of a bachelor's degree from another university could also be an acceptable alternative.
  • IELTS: overall score of 7.0 (with at least 7.0 in each of the four components)
  • TOEFL (paper-based): overall score of 600 with a Test of Written English score of 5.5
  • TOEFL (internet-based): overall score of 110 with component scores of at least: Listening 22, Reading 24, Speaking 25, and Writing 24.
  • Cambridge English: Advanced, also known as the Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): grade A if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
  • Cambridge English: Proficiency, also known as the Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): grade B if taken before January 2015, or a score of at least 185.
  • English Language GCSE, or O-level: grade B (for IGCSE, please see below)
  • International Baccalaureate Standard Level (SL): score of 5 in English (as Language A or B)
  • European Baccalaureate: score of 70% in English.

Hill Foundation Scholarship

Russian nationals wishing to study for a second undergraduate degree. 

Palgrave Brown Scholarship

Students must be ordinarily resident in and/or educated in the following countries:

Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Belarus; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Bulgaria; Croatia; Czech Republic; Estonia; Georgia; Hungary; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyz Rep.; Latvia; Lithuania; Macedonia;  Moldova; Montenegro; Poland; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Slovakia; Slovenia; Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan. 

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