Religious Studies and Philosophy

Study mode:On campus Study type:Full-time Languages: English
Local:$ 9 k / Year(s) Foreign:$ 12.5 k / Year(s) Deadline: Jan 15, 2026
StudyQA ranking:5736 Duration:48 months

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The BA (Hons) in Religious Studies and Philosophy at the University of Kent offers students a comprehensive and interdisciplinary exploration of some of the most profound questions concerning human existence, belief, and meaning. This programme is designed to equip students with critical thinking skills, analytical abilities, and a broad understanding of diverse religious traditions, philosophical ideas, and cultural contexts. Students will engage with fundamental inquiries such as the nature of deity, morality, consciousness, and the purpose of life through both historical and contemporary perspectives. The course covers a wide array of topics including ancient religious practices, world religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism, as well as modern philosophical debates on ethics, logic, epistemology, and metaphysics. The programme encourages students to examine religious texts, philosophical treatises, and contemporary issues such as secularism, religious pluralism, and the role of religion in society. Emphasizing critical analysis and reflective thinking, the course enables students to understand different viewpoints, assess arguments, and develop their own reasoned positions. The combination of Religious Studies and Philosophy fosters interdisciplinary insights, allowing students to appreciate the interconnectedness of religious belief systems and philosophical inquiry. The programme prepares graduates for a variety of careers including education, public service, community work, journalism, and further academic research. Employability skills such as communication, research, and problem-solving are integral to the curriculum, supported by opportunities for practical engagement through seminars, debates, and independent projects. Students also have access to state-of-the-art resources, including dedicated libraries and online databases, to support their academic pursuits. The programme is delivered by experienced faculty committed to fostering an inclusive and stimulating learning environment. With its focus on critical engagement, ethical reflection, and cultural awareness, this degree programme provides a robust foundation for those interested in understanding the complexities of religious and philosophical landscapes shaping our world today.

Detailed Course Facts

Application deadline January 15 Tuition fee
  • GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
  • GBP 12450 Year (Non-EEA)
Start date September 2015 Credits (ECTS) 180 ECTS
Credits Total Kent credits: 360
Duration full-time 48 months Partnership Joint Languages Take an IELTS test
  • English
Delivery mode On Campus Educational variant Full-time More information Go To The Course Website

Course Content

The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules, you may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.

Stage 1

Possible modules may include:

LL310 - Foundations of Language 1: Sounds and Words

LL311 - Foundations of Language 2: Structure and Meaning

LS300 - Learning Spanish 3 (Post A Level)

LS302 - Intensive Learning Spanish 1 (Beginners)

LS312 - Introduction to Hispanic Culture

LS313 - Introduction to Hispanic Culture

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Stage 2

Possible modules may include:

LS504 - Learning Spanish 3B(Intensive Post A-Level)

LS505 - Learning Spanish 4

LS515 - Catalan Culture

LS548 - Contemporary Spanish Cinema

LS562 - The Legacy of Inequality: Race and Ethnicity in Latin America

LS568 - Second Year Extended Essay

LS571 - After Dictatorship: Spain and Latin America

LS578 - Dictatorship and Cultural Production in 20th Century Brazil & Portugal

LS579 - Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and History

LL540 - An Introduction to English Language Teaching 2

LL538 - First Language Acquisition

LL539 - An Introduction to English Language Teaching 1

PL602 - Philosophy of Language

LL512 - Language Processing

LL513 - Language Variation and Change

LL518 - Stylistics: Language in Literature

LL519 - Syntax 1

LL521 - Research Skills - ELL

LL522 - Morphology

LL524 - History of British English

LL525 - The Study of Speech

LL530 - Writing In The Media: A Practical Approach

LL531 - Atypical Language

LL532 - Learning and Teaching Languages

LL533 - Topics in Pragmatics

LL534 - Semantics and Pragmatics

LL536 - English Language in the Media

LL537 - English Language in the Media 2

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

Year abroad

You spend a year either wholly or partly in Spain, or possibly in Latin America, between Stages 2 and 3. Normally you study at a Spanish university or work as a language assistant in a school. We have exchange agreements with universities in Barcelona, Zaragoza, Córdoba, Alicante, Madrid, Deusto (Bilbao) and Oviedo as well as with the University of Montevideo (Uruguay) and Universidad Católica (Lima, Peru).

Stage 3

Possible modules may include:

LS506 - Learning Spanish 5

LS580 - Barcelona and Havana: Icon, Myth and History

LA515 - Gender and Sexuality in Afro-Luso-Brazilian Cinema

SCL501 - Languages in the Classroom

LS563 - Terrorism and State Terror in Latin America

LS567 - Final Year Dissertation

LS550 - Reading Monstrosity in Iberian Culture

LS554 - Writing the Cuban Revolution

LL537 - English Language in the Media 2

LL536 - English Language in the Media

LL534 - Semantics and Pragmatics

LL533 - Topics in Pragmatics

LL532 - Learning and Teaching Languages

LL531 - Atypical Language

LL530 - Writing In The Media: A Practical Approach

LL525 - The Study of Speech

LL524 - History of British English

LL522 - Morphology

LL521 - Research Skills - ELL

LL519 - Syntax 1

LL518 - Stylistics: Language in Literature

LL513 - Language Variation and Change

LL512 - Language Processing

PL576 - Philosophy of Language

LL539 - An Introduction to English Language Teaching 1

LL538 - First Language Acquisition

LL540 - An Introduction to English Language Teaching 2

LL599 - Dissertation

You have the opportunity to select wild modules in this stage

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6.5

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

take an IELTS test.

Requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.

Qualification Typical offer/minimum requirement
  • A level: ABB
  • GCSE: Grade C in a modern European language other than English
  • Access to HE Diploma: The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
  • BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma): The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances.
  • International Baccalaureate: 34 points overall or 16 at HL, including a modern European language other than English 4 at HL or 5 at SL

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

  • Academic Excellence Scholarship

    "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

  • Access Bursary

    Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

  • Alumni Bursary

    Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Kent.

The Religious Studies and Philosophy programme at the University of Kent offers students an in-depth exploration of the fundamental questions concerning human existence, belief systems, and moral values. The course provides a multidisciplinary approach, combining historical, philosophical, and cultural perspectives on religious phenomena and philosophical inquiry. Throughout the programme, students examine major world religions, their histories, teachings, and impacts on societies and cultures. Additionally, the philosophy component encourages critical thinking about metaphysical, ethical, and epistemological issues, fostering analytical skills and intellectual rigor.

Students engage with a diverse curriculum that includes modules on ancient philosophy, modern philosophical movements, religious traditions, ethics, and contemporary issues surrounding religion and belief. The programme emphasizes the development of critical analysis, argument construction, and research skills, preparing graduates for careers in academia, education, public policy, journalism, or community engagement. Moreover, the programme offers opportunities for fieldwork, visiting speakers, and internships, enriching the learning experience and connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world contexts.

The department’s faculty members are experts in their fields, presenting a range of perspectives and encouraging active debate and inquiry. Resources such as libraries, digital archives, and seminar series support students’ research interests. The programme typically includes a final-year dissertation, where students undertake independent research on a topic of their choosing, demonstrating their scholarly abilities.

Students benefit from the university’s supportive learning environment, modern facilities, and a vibrant community of students from diverse backgrounds. Assessment methods are varied, including essays, presentations, exams, and projects, aimed at fostering comprehensive understanding and communication skills. Career support services and alumni networks assist graduates in pursuing further academic study or entering relevant professional fields.

Overall, the Religious Studies and Philosophy degree at the University of Kent provides a rigorous, engaging, and holistic education that equips students with the essential tools to understand and critically examine the complex relationships between religion, philosophy, and contemporary society.

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