Options with theology and religious studies
Studying for a degree in theology and religious studies allows you to explore the beliefs, practices, values and doctrines of people around the world. You gain an understanding of cultural and religious diversity through analysing culture, texts, arts and practices of a range of societies. If you took language modules, you may also be able to read texts in a different language.
In addition to subject-specific knowledge, you gain a wide range of transferable skills highly sought after by employers. These include:
Although some graduates go on to work in religious ministry, there is a wide range of other career options available to theology and religious studies graduates. Research the career area you are interested in thoroughly. Some careers, for example, teaching or journalism, will require further vocational or professional training. For careers in areas such as marketing or human resources, it may be useful to take a postgraduate course to develop specific skills and knowledge.
It is important to get relevant work experience to boost your employability prospects. Talk to professionals in the field you are interested in and consider work placements, paid evening/weekend work, voluntary work or work shadowing. This experience shows employers that you are committed and also helps you decide on whether a particular career is right for you.
Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.
Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.
Theology and religious studies graduates develop a wide range of transferable skills. These are useful for careers in teaching, law, business and management, administration, publishing, media, journalism and government jobs (local and national), as well as social, youth, community and advice work.
A 2012 HESA survey of 2011 graduates indicates that six months after finishing their course over half of theology and religious studies graduates were in UK or overseas employment, with an additional 11% combining work and further study. Of these, almost 20% were in associate professional and technical occupations, 10% were working as commercial, industrial and public sector managers, over 9% were employed in other clerical and secretarial occupations and around 7% were social and welfare professionals.
Theology and religious studies graduates work in a variety of different roles in every employment sector. Typical employers include:
Additionally, theology and religious studies students may find opportunities in advertising, human resources (HR), marketing and sales. Libraries, charities, television companies and publishing houses also employ theology and religious studies graduates in a range of roles.
For an insight into potential employment areas see:
For further information on possibilities in other employment areas, see job sectors.
Statistics are collected every year to show what HE students do immediately after graduation. These can be a useful guide but, in reality, because the data is collected within six months of graduation, many graduates are travelling, waiting to start a course, paying off debts, getting work experience or still deciding what they want to do. For further information about some of the areas of employment commonly entered by graduates of any degree discipline, check out What Do Graduates Do? and your degree...what next?
A 2011 HESA survey of 2010 graduates indicates that six months after graduation 28% of theology and religious studies graduates had gone on to further study, with a further 8% combining work with further study.
Some graduates choose to increase their knowledge of religion/theology through a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters or PhD. Popular subjects include contextual theology, biblical studies and the history of religion.
Some theology and religious studies graduates choose to study more vocational postgraduate courses in areas such as teaching, journalism, librarianship or law. Such courses allow you to study in an area you wish to enter as a career.
Other graduates choose to undertake further study in areas such as marketing, finance, human resource management or business/management in order to enhance their knowledge of a specific career area.
These trends show only what previous graduates in your subject did immediately upon graduating. Over the course of their career - the first few years in particular - many others will opt for some form of further study, either part time or full time. If further study interests you, start by thinking about postgraduate study in the UK and search courses and research to identify your options.
For details relating to finance and the application process, look at funding my further study.
