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 officer
• Civil Service administrator
• Community development worker
• Diplomatic service officer
• Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
• International aid/development worker
• Mediator
• Newspaper journalist
• Policy officer
• Politician’s assistant
• 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 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. Experience of planning and leading worship, prayer or related faith activities will be useful and there may be faith communities at your university that can help with this.

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.

If you'd like a role that involves working with people, look for opportunities that involve your local community or charities and volunteer organisations. Anything that includes a caring, counselling or pastoral capacity will be useful.

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

Typical employers

As a theology and religious studies graduate, you could find work in a range of careers across many 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 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 public life and the world we live in. You'll gain insight into the theological, ethical, cultural, political and philosophical issues of religion.

You'll 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.

There are many vocational postgraduate courses that you can take if you want to enter a particular career. These are available in areas such as teaching, journalism, librarianship and human resource management.

You can also take courses that can help to set you up for jobs within sectors such as marketing, finance, business or management. Research your options carefully especially to find out if a postgraduate qualification is required or if your first degree may be sufficient.

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?

10% of theology and religious studies graduates in employment in the UK are working as clergy, with a further 10% being employed as secondary education teaching professionals. Youth and community workers (6%), advertising and marketing associate professionals (3%), welfare and housing associate professionals (3%), educational support assistants (3%), primary education teaching professionals (2%) and HR officers (5%) are also popular occupations.

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

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.