Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (BA)
- Subject areas: Philosophy, Religious studies and theology
- UCAS code: VV65
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Follow your interests
Choose from modules across a range of religious, ethical and philosophical traditions and engage with new areas of research.
Think for yourself
Critically and creatively engage with difficult problems in an independent and open-minded way.
Shape the future
Apply philosophical research to solve real-world social problems or engage with local communities about your studies.
Study at the frontiers of inquiry
Analyse contemporary research with staff who are leading researchers in their field.
Communicate effectively
Develop skills and experience in shaping and presenting your ideas and arguments.
How should you live your life and relate to others? How should we organise society? What is a religion? How have religious, philosophical, and ethical ideas changed over time? How do they continue to shape us as individuals and shape society? Who and what should you believe? How should characteristics like gender and race be taken into account in theoretical inquiry and social decision-making?
In our Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (BA) programme, you’ll tackle these types of questions, and more. You'll investigate topical and complex issues from a range of perspectives and address some of today’s great social challenges.
Our priority lies in developing your skills as an independent thinker. We’ll support you to engage critically and creatively with difficult problems in an open-minded and collaborative way, including on sensitive and controversial topics.
During your studies, you'll have the opportunity to engage with a broad range of religious, philosophical, and ethical topics and traditions. Religion modules guide you through the histories and legacies of religions around the world, which have shaped current conflicts and provided solutions for them. You'll explore and analyse religious identity in modern societies, the role of theological thinking, and the ethics that influence views on hot topics from the environment to sexuality and reproductive rights. In Philosophy, you'll develop a solid grounding in moral philosophy and will also study epistemology, philosophy of mind, and political philosophy. There's also the opportunity to study areas such as aesthetics, feminist philosophy, and phenomenology. In the final year of the programme, you can specialise in your preferred areas of study from across religious, philosophical, and ethical topics.
Many of our modules directly examine the practical implications of religious and philosophical thought, providing you with a clear link between theories and their application. This is emphasised in the final year of the programme with a collaborative project that applies philosophical research to develop policies or strategies aimed at solving a real-world ethical or social problem.
Alongside the research and academic skills you’lI develop, we offer opportunities for doing off-campus work placements or community outreach projects based on your studies.
You’ll graduate with a range of professional skills, including collaboration, communication and critical thinking. You will also have developed a deep appreciation of the ethical and social challenges that face contemporary society and industry, and have the ideas and confidence required to solve them. From here, you’ll be ideally placed to progress into a range of exciting careers.
Subject area: Philosophy
Subject area: Religious studies and theology
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
ABB-BBC
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
32-30 overall or 665-655 in 3 HL subjects.
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade C/4 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Student visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement, including the ability to travel to outside of the UK or to undertake a placement/studies outside of Cardiff University
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
DDM-DMM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Humanities or Social Science subjects. We will consider BTECs in alternative subjects alongside other academic qualifications and any relevant work or volunteer experience.
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £9,250 | None |
| Year two | £9,250 | None |
| Year three | £9,250 | None |
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £23,700 | None |
| Year two | £23,700 | None |
| Year three | £23,700 | None |
Learn more about our tuition fees
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
This is a 3-year, full-time degree with 120 credits of study in each year. You’ll study 60 credits in Religion and 60 credits in Philosophy in each year of study.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
Year 1 modules introduce you to the key areas of religious studies, philosophy and ethics that feature throughout the degree.
The core religion modules allow you to explore the history of religions and of their impact in the world today, as well as current research topics in the field of religious studies. You can choose another module from a range of offerings in religion and theology, including those that incorporate approaches from history and ancient history.
In your philosophy modules, you’ll consider classic texts and current debates about the nature of morality, justice, knowledge and belief. You'll also study the nature of communication and the relationships between minds and bodies. You’ll learn how to write to academic and professional standards, and practice and develop the skills that are essential to the degree.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The Origins and Legacies of Religion in the Modern World | RT0101 | 20 credits |
| Themes and Issues in the Study of Religion | RT0102 | 20 credits |
| Moral and Political Philosophy | SE4103 | 20 credits |
| Mind, Language and Belief | SE4113 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| A World Full of Gods | HS0001 | 20 credits |
| Projecting the Past: Film, Media and Heritage | HS0002 | 20 credits |
| Discovering Ancient Languages | HS3110 | 20 credits |
| 'And God said…'? Reading the Bible as a scholar | RT0109 | 20 credits |
| Prophets, Popes and Paupers | RT0110 | 20 credits |
Year two
In Year 2, you’ll take a core module on how religious traditions like Christianity and Islam picture ethics and morality. You'll also take a core module on key historical works in moral philosophy, which include important themes found in both philosophical and religious ethics.
The remainder of your credits will be made up of optional modules across religion and philosophy. You can choose modules on themes like what is religion, topics related to a particular religious tradition, or you can opt for a guided study to craft a project based on your own interests. This opportunity helps you develop vital skills, and it equips your for completing a dissertation in your final year. It’s not a core module, but if you want to write your dissertation in Religion in your final year, you will need to take this module first.
You’ll choose one or more modules in philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology, philosophy of language, and epistemology. This prepares you for modules in the final year that often combine different areas of philosophy. You can explore other areas of philosophy through optional modules.
You’ll further practice the key skills of communication, collaboration, and critical thinking, become more independent in your studies, and improve your ability to reflect on your own work in order to reach your potential.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Religious and Theological Ethics | RT0230 | 20 credits |
| Modern Moral Philosophy | SE4373 | 20 credits |
Year three
In your final year, you are challenged to think more deeply about the nature of religious, philosophical, and ethical inquiry, and gain a deeper understanding of how current research can impact the world.
In a core religion module, you'll explore themes in religious and theological ethics through seminar-style discussion, while the required Philosophy in Practice module enables you to discover the valuable contribution that philosophical skills and philosophical knowledge can make in a range of professional organisations and roles. You'll learn to apply philosophical research currently undertaken at Cardiff University to generate workable policy recommendations in response to a contemporary concrete real-world problem.
You’ll be able to choose from a wide range of specialist optional modules on the history of religion or on contemporary issues in religion and theology. Through optional philosophy modules, you’ll further engage with the latest research in our areas of expertise. These modules often explore connections between ethics and other areas of philosophy, and often focus on problems of contemporary societal concern.
You’ll have the option to undertake a dissertation module from either school, setting your own question and directing your own research, with the support of a supervisor. If you choose to write a dissertation with Religion, you will need to take the Guided Study module in year 2.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| The Good Life: Discussions in Contemporary Religious Ethics | RT0327 | 20 credits |
| Philosophy in Practice | SE4447 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Research is central to the student experience at Cardiff University and all our teaching is informed by the latest findings. Many of your classes will be taught by internationally recognised experts involved in contributing to original knowledge in their fields.
We offer a supportive learning environment, designed to help you become an independent critical thinker. You'll learn through a wide range of teaching methods including interactive lectures and lively discussion-based seminars and workshops. Seminars and workshops offer a rewarding experience to engage critically with the key ideas and readings on a topic. They provide a valuable opportunity to explore ideas, work closely with your lecturers and to learn from other students. You'll have access to all course materials through our electronic learning environment.
You'll develop your abilities to closely analyse texts and arguments, evaluate evidence, collaboratively work through problems, construct your own arguments, and present your ideas clearly to others.
How will I be supported?
You are supported by a number of different staff, some focussing on academic performance in a particular area and some looking at learning and progress more holistically.
Your main sources of support are your module leaders and your Personal Tutors. You’ll be allocated two personal tutors, one in Religion and one in Philosophy. Your module leaders have drop-in sessions during teaching weeks that you can attend if you have any questions about course materials or assessments. Personal Tutors can advise you on academic matters, including study skills, careers, and your academic progress, as well as on pastoral matters. You'll be invited to meet with your Personal Tutor regularly throughout the degree, and they are available for extra meetings as needed. Welsh-speaking students can request a Welsh-speaking personal tutor.
Our Undergraduate Teams provide academic and student support and are there to help you with information and guidance if you have any queries. Beyond the School, the University offers a range of support services and events to help you plan your career, manage your emotional, mental and physical health, support you with financial issues, and provide assistance for students with disabilities. These services are co-located at the University's Centre for Student Life. Libraries, study spaces and other resource centres will all be available to you.
You’ll regularly receive feedback on your progress. Oral feedback in lectures, workshops and seminars will help you assess your understanding of the course material and your critical responses to it. You’ll receive formative feedback on assessment ideas, and detailed feedback on all marked coursework. If you undertake a dissertation module, you'll receive regular feedback on your project from your supervisor.
We have a Learning Central website where you can access videos, images, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, links to further reading, electronic exercises, and discussion circles. Where possible, in-person lectures will be recorded so you can watch and study in your own time.
Support services
The Writing Development Centre (exclusively for students in the School of English, Communication and Philosophy) provides specialist support for academic writing across the programme. You can access online materials, workshops and one-to-one meetings about any aspect of academic writing to support you with your assessments.
Diversity
We aim to create an inclusive, supportive and welcoming environment that respects the dignity of staff and students of all ages, ethnicities, disabilities, family structures, genders, nationalities, sexual orientations, races, religious or other beliefs, and socio-economic backgrounds.
How will I be assessed?
Your assessments are designed to cumulatively develop key skills in communication, collaboration, critical thinking and reflection. We will be assessing your level of knowledge and understanding in each module through a combination of assignments, including critical analyses of texts, essays, critical reviews, group work and group discussion assessments, and reflective assessment of your own skills. In the final year, you'll take part in a large collaborative philosophy project that involves writing and presenting for a professional audience. Optional modules can offer a wider variety of assessments, including writing for a public audience, reflecting on an act of religious worship, commenting on an artwork or a media piece, or creating a podcast.
We provide formative opportunities to test your thinking and learning and feedback throughout your learning journey to prepare you for the summative assessments that shape your graduating mark. The theoretical and applied skills developed and assessed throughout your degree prepare you for entry into a range of graduate careers.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
KU1: Examine the complexity of underpinning ideas, concepts, and terminology relevant to religions and to the study of religion, including its ethical dimension.
KU2: Observe and articulate the range of world views, practices, texts and material culture identified within religious traditions.
KU3: Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in moral, political, or social philosophy.
KU4: Critically evaluate some of the central theories and arguments, and their applications, in epistemology, philosophy of language, or philosophy of mind.
KU5: Critically analyse theories and arguments from contemporary philosophical work, including intersections of different areas of philosophy or interdisciplinary research.
KU6: Apply philosophical research by drafting policy or strategy documents, or action recommendations, in response to a real-world ethical or social problem of contemporary societal concern.
KU7: Comprehend and interpret ethical problems and the methodological tools for addressing them in academic and public spheres.
Intellectual Skills:
IS1: Critically appreciate and analyse different world views and ways of life.
IS2: Interpret and critically analyse key texts, events, and ethical debates from a range of religious traditions.
IS3: Explain complex and specialised philosophical claims and arguments.
IS4: Construct arguments that support claims in response to philosophical questions.
IS5: Apply standard techniques of philosophical analysis to critically evaluate philosophical claims and arguments.
Professional Practical Skills:
PS 1: Communicate complex information and arguments in different formats appropriate to different purposes.
PS 2: Contribute in a collaborative manner to group discussions and team projects.
PS 3: Articulate and evaluate your own academic and professional skills.
Transferable/Key Skills:
KS 1: Respond to problems creatively, critically, and independently.
KS 2: Implement task instructions and manage workload effectively to meet deadlines.
KS 3: Deliver and act on constructive feedback.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
We encourage our students to think about life beyond university from day one, offering modules and support to give you a competitive advantage on graduating no matter what path you follow.
Graduates from this programme possess a range of transferable skills and areas of knowledge that are sought after by many employers. These include the ability to independently analyse complex problems and identify workable and innovative solutions, to work effectively with others on large projects, to communicate effectively to different audiences, and to use reflection and feedback to further develop your skills. You’ll also acquire a broad knowledge base enabling you to understand and respond to a range of contemporary ethical or social problems. During your degree, you’ll gain experience of professional research, policy and strategy roles by working on a large collaborative policy project. This project showcases to employers how not only your skills but also your knowledge can be of huge value in the workplace.
University services and schemes are also available to you, providing additional ways to increase your professional skills and confidence. The Cardiff Award provides a framework through which to develop your employability further, and Student Futures is on hand to provide career advice and support in gaining placements specific to your degree. You can also take advantage of programmes like Languages for All and Welsh for All to improve your language skills, while support from the Enterprise and Start Up team can help to bring your ideas to life.
Due to the depth and breadth of skills and knowledge gained from their studies, our graduates can be found in a variety of sectors, including the civil service, local government, charitable organisations, small businesses, consultancy firms, and schools and colleges. They work in journalism, law, teaching, finance, marketing, human resources, public relations, and many other professions.
Placements
We ensure that placements can be incorporated into your learning. Opportunities for diverse, bespoke placements are offered via a second-year optional module which focuses on translating the skills you gain through your degree into the workplace.
Staff also have links with a range of organisations, which offer placement opportunities both in and outside semesters.
Through our connections with Student Futures, you can source placements and on-campus internships from part-time placements that fit around your studies to paid summer placements with full-time hours. In addition, our Career Confident team provides additional support to help you gain work experience.
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
