Philosophy, Ethics and Religion BA (Hons)

Apply as Home Student
Request a ProspectusVisit Us
Students sitting in row seats in a lecture room with a green statute on table top.

Available with:

  • Foundation Year

You are viewing Course summary

Course Summary

Philosophy and religion are fundamental to informing the way people live. The choices we make, our sense of what’s right and wrong, our understanding of what we owe to each other; all of these are shaped by our fundamental beliefs about the nature of the world and our place in it.

This course places the big questions of philosophy and ethics in conversation with the religious traditions that have shaped them across the globe and throughout history, and continue to shape them here and now.

At Chester, you will learn from subject specialists who have expert knowledge of the traditions they teach, and the experience to help you draw connections between ancient wisdom and the urgent debates of our time, including the nature of authority, how belief shapes behaviour, the relationship between rights and responsibilities, what it means to be human,  and how to balance competing claims for justice.

Our expert staff will support you in gaining skills highly valued by employers, such as religious and cultural literacy, empathy, communication, critical thinking and organisational skills.

Hear from our students and discover what the course lecturers are pursuing in their field in our blogs and news posts.

Why You'll Love It

Our courses are nationally recognised for their excellence

Our students rate our courses highly and we consistently receive excellent scores for teaching quality and student experience in national league tables.

students smiling at desks in classroom

Flexible opportunities to pursue your own interests

Our first year curriculum gives you the skills and knowledge to dive straight in, whether you’re entering directly from school/college, or if you’ve been out of education for a while. Our staff have the range of expertise to support you wherever your curiosity takes you; whether you know what you want to focus on or if you want to discover ideas you have never thought about before.

UK top ten for world-leading and internationally excellent research

TRS Chester is in the top ten in the UK for world-leading and internationally-excellent research (REF2021 Results Analysis – Elsevier). Our staff are subject experts with deep knowledge of the religious traditions they teach, from philosophy, Christian theology and the Bible to contemporary spirituality and new religious movements.

man talking to class
Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester

Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Chester

What Our Students Think

What You'll Study

The Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Foundation Year route offers you an important preparation year as part of your four-year degree.

For Law and Criminal Justice subjects, you will explore legal frameworks, criminal justice systems, wider social contexts and issues, as well as case scenarios, and research and problem solving in law and criminology. 

For Humanities and Social Science subjects, you will explore people and societies and their beliefs, cultures, power structures, stories and narratives, as well as critical inquiry into societal issues and global affairs with contemporary and historical perspectives.

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

The BA in Philosophy, Ethics and Religion course introduces the core areas of both philosophy and ethics, and the study of religion to enable you to develop existing or new interests through a choice of specialist topics in the second and third years.  

In Year 1 (Level 4), you will gain a firm foundation in the study of philosophy, ethics and religion. You'll study themes and problems in world philosophy, approaches to ethical inquiry, and you'll be introduced to a breadth of religious traditions.

MODULES

  • The Human Condition: An Introduction to World Philosophy (20 Credits) Core
  • Introduction to Christian Theology (20 Credits) Core
  • The Bible: Contents and Contexts (20 Credits) Core
  • Introduction to Ethics (20 Credits) Core
  • Islam and Christianity (20 Credits) Core
  • Buddhism and Judaism (20 Credits) Optional
  • Language Module (20 Credits) Optional

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

In Year 2, the flexibly designed modules offer specialist pathways or topics throughout the module. Through topics in political philosophy and philosophical and theological understandings of God, you can explore the larger module themes and develop your interests and skills. You can also explore new areas of study in biblical texts, feminist and Womanist approaches to theology, and different aspects of contemporary religion. You’ll be able to apply your skills in workplace settings or to contemporary problems in our innovative module, Religion in the City.

MODULES

  • Philosophy, Religion and Politics (40 Credits) Core
  • Bodies, Gender and God (40 Credits) Core
  • Religion in the City (40 Credits) Core

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Modules in Year 3 also offer flexible ways through broad themes, allowing you to focus on particular interests and take your skills to graduate level. Topics on evil and the philosophical imagination expand on your learning in previous years, and you can branch out into the study of religion and violence, gender, and narrative in ancient texts. You will have the opportunity to work individually with a subject specialist to pursue an in-depth project of your own choosing.

MODULES

  • Religion, Violence and Power (40 Credits) Core
  • Religion, Narratives and Imagination (40 Credits) Core
  • Dissertation (Philosophy, Ethics, Religion, Theology) (40 Credits) Core

The information listed in this section is an overview of the academic content of the course that will take the form of either core or option modules and should be used as a guide. We review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects. If during a review process, course content is significantly changed, we will contact you to notify you of these changes if you receive an offer from us.

Discover Our Webinars

Watch our Theology and Religious studies research webinars to explore what you can learn at the University of Chester.

A group of students in a sitting at tables with laptop open, talking and smilling.

How You'll Learn

add

This course is designed around in-person study

add

There may be some online learning activities

add

You will be assessed in a variety of ways

add

Curriculum developed to match workforce priorities

While the exact details of delivery will vary depending on the content of a particular topic (or even a particular session), most class sessions will be a mix of lecture, discussion, group work and practical demonstration. Some topics may have specifically designated seminars to facilitate discussion among a smaller group of peers. Some may include field trips. You will also have one-to-one tutorials in every module to help you prepare for your assessment. Scheduled contact hours range between approximately eight and ten hours per week, depending upon the level of study.  

You should also expect to spend around 30 hours per week on independent study, which might include following asynchronous learning, tutorial time with staff, using the University’s library, working with peers and preparing work for assessment. 

Teaching will be delivered by experienced academics in the subject, drawing on their research and expertise. This will be supplemented by occasional guest lecturers and speakers.

There is a wide range of assessments designed to help you consolidate your learning and develop key skills, so you will be equipped for a variety of careers. The emphasis is on coursework rather than exams. In addition to essays, you are likely to write book reviews, text analysis, blog posts, dictionary entries, give oral presentations, video presentations, reports, research journals, workbooks, or critical reflections on your own learning. All assessments involve some element of independent choice and are supported by formative activities, such as one-to-one tutorials and feedback, which highlight the next steps to enhance your achievement. 

All teaching is delivered by experienced academics and practitioners, with the fundamental principles of the Chester Future Skills Curriculum at its core - building your subject competence, confidence and key transferable skills to shape you into a world-ready Chester graduate.

Entry Requirements

112UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

112 points

GCE A Level

Typical offer – BCC-BBC

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM

International Baccalaureate

28 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers - H3 H3 H3 H3 H4

Scottish Highers - BBBB

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma, to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Merit or above

T Level

Merit

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: DMM

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer. We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

Students from countries outside the UK are expected to have entry qualifications roughly equivalent to UK A Level for undergraduate study and British Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) for postgraduate study. To help you to interpret these equivalents, please click on your country of residence to see the corresponding entry qualifications, along with information about your local representatives, events, information and contacts.

We accept a wide range of qualifications and consider all applications individually on merit. We may also consider appropriate work experience.

English Language Requirements

  • IELTS Academic: Undergraduate: 6.0 (minimum 5.5 in each band)
  • Postgraduate: 6.5 (minimum 5.5 in each band)

For more information on our entry requirements, please visit International Entry Requirements.

72UCAS points

UCAS Tariff

72 points

GCE A level

72 points overall, including grade D in A level

BTEC

BTEC Extended Diploma: MMP

International Baccalaureate

24 points

Irish / Scottish Highers

Irish Highers: H4 H4 H4 H4 H4

Scottish Highers: CCDD

Access requirements

Access to HE Diploma – Pass overall

T Level

T Level: Pass (D or E on the core)

OCR Cambridge Technicals

OCR Extended Diploma: MMP

Extra Information

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced and A level General Studies will be recognised in our offer.  We will also consider a combination of A Levels and BTECs/OCRs.

If you are a mature student (21 or over) and have been out of education for a while or do not have experience or qualifications at Level 3 (equivalent to A Levels), then our Foundation Year courses will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to succeed in your chosen degree. 

Fees and Funding

£9,535per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

Our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for Home students entering University in 2025/26 are £9,535 a year, or £1,590 per 20-credit module for part-time study.

You can find more information about undergraduate fees on our Fees and Finance pages.

Students from the UK, Isle of Man, Guernsey, Jersey and the Republic of Ireland are treated as Home students for tuition fee purposes.

Students from countries in the European Economic Area and the EU will pay International Tuition Fees.

Students who have been granted Settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.

Students who have been granted Pre-settled Status may be eligible for Home Fee Status and if eligible will be able to apply for Tuition Fee Loans.

£14,450*per year for a full-time course (2025/26)

The tuition fees for international students studying Undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 are £14,450 per year for a full-time course. This fee is set for each year of study.

The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter.

For courses with a Foundation Year, the tuition fees for Year 1 are £10,750 and £14,200 for Years 2-4 in 2025/26.

For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section.

Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes. 

In November 2024, as part of the government’s Autumn Budget, it was confirmed that some foundation years from September 2025 will have a fee of £5,760 for the first foundation year of a four-year course. This is mainly for courses in the Humanities, Business, and Social Sciences disciplines. The following three years of these courses will be the standard fee of £9,535 per annum.

  Foundation (First) Year Second Year onwards per year
Home Students £5,760 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £9,535 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)
International Students * £10,750 for the first foundation year (2025/26) £14,450 per year from the second year onwards (2025/26)

* For courses which accept applications from International Students

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials.

Students often elect to purchase a laptop; where students choose to do so, the cost is likely to be around £800-£1,000.

Most software specific to your course is available free to students through agreements we have with the software vendors. 

Occasional, optional field trips may be offered, depending on student demand. These are typically within the UK and, where chargeable, the cost is likely to be under £100. Students are not required to participate in order to successfully complete the course. 

If you are living away from home during your time at university, you will need to cover costs such as accommodation, food, travel and bills. 

Who You'll Learn From

Dr Ben Fulford

Associate Professor of Christian Theology
Dr Ben Fulford

Prof Hannah Bacon

Professor of Feminist Theology
Prof Hannah Bacon

Dr Steve Knowles

Senior Lecturer in Religion and Popular Culture
Blank profile picture.

Dr Dawn Llewellyn

Associate Professor in Religion and Gender
Dawn Llewelyn

Prof Paul Middleton

Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity
Prof Paul Middleton

Professor Caroline Tee

Professor of the Anthropology of Islam
Dr Caroline Tee

Dr Matthew Collins

Senior Lecturer in Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism
Dr Matthew Collins

Dr Deborah Casewell

Associate Professor in Philosophy
Deborah Casewell

Where You'll Study Exton Park, Chester

The location

Exton Park is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.

Modern learning resources and library

We have dedicated resources and IT services across campus, as well as our Seaborne Library; home to an extensive selection of books, e-books and e-journals, as well as bookable multimedia rooms, video conferencing space, 24-hour access computer labs, and The Hub; a comfortable two-floor study zone, suitable for independent and group study.

Seaborne library, seating and reception area.

Student Services

Exton Park is home to a number of our central support services, including Disability and Inclusion, Careers and Employability, and Student Support.

Fitness facilities

Exton Park boasts an impressive choice of indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities, which are used for both competitive and recreational sports. Our facilities include a swimming pool, gym, squash, and tennis courts, running track and two floodlit pitches.

A male student wearing goggles is swimming in the training pool between the red rope lane marker lines.

Chapel, chaplaincy and multi-faith spaces

Built in 1847 by former students, the University Chapel offers regular services and a venue to services. The University of Chester also has multi-faith spaces across the campus for prayer or quiet reflection.

Accommodation

Most of our student accommodation is located either on or near Exton Park.

Catering

We have several catering outlets available onsite, offering a wide selection of hot and cold food to students and visitors. Term-time Meal Schemes are also available for those students interested in non-residential catering schemes.

Your Future Career

Job Prosects

While studying our Philosophy, Ethics and Religion degree, you will develop skills that are in high demand with employers across all sectors. Alongside critical thinking, argumentation, independent decision making, and the ability to present complex information clearly, our course develops cultural and religious literacy, empathy and understanding of diverse perspectives, media literacy and technological skills, and helps you gain project management experience that is crucial for career advancement.

Students go on to work in a number of professions, including teaching, banking and financial business, marketing and advertising, publishing, the civil service, health and social care, counselling, customer service, church and youth work, and ordained ministry.

Careers Service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service, which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

See course data
See course data
See course data
See course data