Theology and religious studies

Studying theology and religious studies allows you to explore how religious beliefs and practices shape and influence the world we live in

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Chaplain
• Higher education lecturer
• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advice worker
• Archivist
• Charity fundraiser
• Charity officer
• Civil Service administrator
• Community development worker
• Editorial assistant
• Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
• Mediator
• Newspaper journalist
• Policy officer
• Solicitor
• Youth worker

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

It's important to get relevant work experience to boost your employability prospects. Talk to professionals in the field you're interested in, and consider the different types of placements and work experience available.

If you're thinking about work in religious ministry, talk to local spiritual leaders and get involved in the life of your religious community to find out more about what's involved.

If you want to get into teaching, look for experience working in a school with children of the age you want to teach. This will show you have the skills and motivation required.

Try to become involved with your local community if you'd like a role that involves working with people or look for work or voluntary opportunities with charity and volunteer organisations.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

As a theology and religious studies graduate, you could work in a variety of roles in a range of employment sectors. Typical employers include:

• the church and other religious organisations
• national and local government, including the Civil Service and government agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• schools, colleges and universities (for teaching, research and administrative positions)
• charities, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations
• social services and other caring professions
• financial and legal firms
• the National Health Service (NHS) in a management or administration role
• publishing and media companies
• PR, advertising, sales and marketing companies.

Find information on employers in teaching training and education, charity and voluntary work, public services and administration, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying theology and religious studies gives you a thorough understanding of the major world religions, their historical development and their relationship with the world we live in. You'll gain insight into the theological, ethical, cultural, political and philosophical issues of religion.

You also develop skills that are valued by employers in a range of sectors. These include:

• research, analysis and presentation skills
• critical thinking skills and the ability to interpret information, formulate questions and solve problems
• organisational and time management skills
• teamworking and communication skills
• writing skills, including accurate referencing and the ability to construct a reasoned argument
• IT skills
• empathy and the ability to understand people and their motivations
• the ability to appreciate different perspectives and take on board others' views
• the ability to work methodically and accurately
• independence of mind and the ability to think for yourself.

Further study

You may choose to increase your knowledge of religion/theology through a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters or PhD. Areas of research include theology, religion and culture, chaplaincy studies, and science and religion.

Depending on the career you want to follow, you could take a vocational postgraduate course in an area such as teaching, journalism or librarianship.

Postgraduate courses are also available in subjects such as marketing, finance, human resource management or business/management, so think about which direction you'd like your career to take.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search for postgraduate courses in theology and religious studies.

What do theology and religious studies graduates do?

17% of theology and religious studies graduates in employment in the UK are working as teaching professionals with a further 10% being employed as welfare professionals. Welfare and housing associate professionals (6%) and teaching and childcare support occupations (4%) are also among the top five jobs reported.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate destinations data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.