At SOAS we study religions because they are powerful and enduring forces in all societies at all times. They give insight into human values, identities, and histories like no other aspect of culture.
The study of religions at SOAS offers:
Studying religions is for all who seek to further global understanding while attaining a world of graduate employment opportunities.
To connect the Study of Religions to a specific language, area, or discipline, the Department offers joint degrees with the following subjects:
3-Year Combined Degrees
African Studies, Development Studies, Economics, Geography, Georgian, History, History of Art/Archaeology, International Relations, Japanese Studies, Law, Linguistics, Middle Eastern Studies, Music, Persian, Politics, Social Anthropology, South East Asian Studies, World Philosophies.
3 or 4-Year Combined Degrees
(include an optional year abroad)
Burmese, Indonesian, South Asian Studies, Thai, Tibetan, Vietnamese.
4-Year Combined degrees
(include a mandatory year abroad)
Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, Swahili, Turkish.
Programme Code: V627BA/CR
Venue: Russell Square: College Buildings
Start of programme: September
Mode of Attendance: Full-time
Who is this programme for?:
This degree is for students who seek to broaden their understanding of the world by studying the social, political, cultural and historical forces contained in religious traditions.
BTEC: DDM
Access to HE: Minimum of 30 Level 3 Credits at Distinction
Scottish Highers: AAABB
Scottish Advanced Highers: AAB
Irish LC: 340 points from 5 Higher level subjects at grade C1 or above
Advanced Placement: 4 4 5 (Two semesters - UCAS Group A) plus US HSGD with GPA 3.0
Euro Bacc: 80%
French Bacc: 14/20
German Abitur: 2.0
Italy DES: 80/100
Austria Mat: 2.0
Polish Mat: Overall 75% including 3 extended level subjects
Dr Erica Hunter Convenor
Please see the Unistats data for the various combinations of this programme under the Combinations tab.
+ 4-year degree with (compulsory) one year abroad
++ 3 or 4-year degree with option of one year abroad
Click on a combined programme to load KIS data
Note: The structure displayed below is for students enrolled in 2018 or after. For students enrolled in the BA Study of Religions and ... in 2017 or before, please see the programme structure pre 2018.
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from the "Introduction to Religious Traditions" list below.
Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| R201 Approaches and Methods in the Study of Religions | 155906011 |
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from "Religions in Cultural & Historical Contexts" according to stipulations below
Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
Students will take modules to the value of 30 credits from "Thematic Study" and a further 30 credits from "Specialised Study" according to stipulations below
Students will take modules to the value of 60 credits from their second subject
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islam: Religion and Rationality | 158000189 | 15 | Term 2 |
| R150 Introduction to Judaism | 158000148 | 15 credits (0.5 unit) | |
| The Zoroastrian Flame | 158000187 | 15 | Term 2 |
NB: not all modules will run every year
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| R230 Religions of the Early Near and Middle East | 155906012 | 30 | |
| R240 The Politics of Spirituality in South Asia | 155906013 | 30 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death and the Meaning of Life | 158000172 | 30 | Full Year |
| Comparative Ethics | 158000199 | 15 | Term 2 |
| Mysticism in the Great Traditions | 154800316 | 15 |
| Module | Code | Credits | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islam in Britain | 154800312 | 15 | Term 1 |
| Jaina Philosophy | 158000206 | 15 | |
| R451 Jewish Identity from Ancient to Modern Times | 158000168 | 15 | Term 2 |
| R471 Taoism: the Great Tradition | 158000181 | 15 | Term 2 |
| R472 Classical Chinese Thought | 158000103 | 15 | Term 1 |
| R490 Zoroastrianism in the Ancient and Modern Worlds | 158000029 | 30 | Full Year |
| Shi'a Islam: Religious Authority and Community Identity | 158000147 | 30 credits | |
| The Holocaust and the Problem of Evil | 158000156 - not running in 2020/21 | 15 -runs in Term 1 |
The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.
Note: If your combination contains a year abroad, please see the relevant information on the respective language programme page.
Most courses involve a 50- 100-minute lecture as a key component with linked tutorial classes.
The programme works with a variety of assessments:
All modules are assessed by more than one assessment in the interest of balanced grades and student progressions. Many tutorials and classes include formative exercises to prepare the assessments.
A degree in Religions from SOAS equips students to follow many different careers. Graduates are provided with important knowledge and understanding of peoples’ different culture, history and beliefs concerning fundamental issues which they can develop in the field of research or utilise in a professional career. Students also develop a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers in business, public and charity sectors. These include: the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources - often both in the original or other relevant languages; analytical skills to assess critically the materials relevant to a specific issue; written and oral communication skills to present, discuss and debate opinions and conclusions; and problem solving skills.
Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:
| Refugee Action Crown Prosecution Service European Union Inside India Lapido Media Islamic Centre of England Politics First Pricewatrehouse Coopers |
Whitbread Plc Piper Smith Watton LLP Jainpedia The British Museum Iskcon BBC Bodleian Library |
Types of roles that graduates have gone on to do include:
| Accountant Associate Consultant Case manager Ceramic Artist Company Director Deputy to Special Representative for Afghanistan Editorial Director Educational Officer Features Assistant Forests and ecosystems associate |
International Reporting Manager PhD Student Procurement & Social Responsibility Administrator Project Manager Religious Education Teacher Research Manager Senior Advisor Tibetan Subject Consultant Librarian Writer/Researcher |
For more information about Graduate Destinations from this department, please visit the Careers Service website.
Tessa WattI've also loved being part of the lively community that is SOAS; there's a buzz you can feel as soon as you walk through the doors. I've enjoyed the free world music concerts in the Brunei Gallery lecture theatre, or just sitting in the JCR with a cup of tea, hearing snatches of debate in many languages, and reading the posters and pamphlets for every possible political cause. SOAS is a stimulating place to be, both inside and outside the classroom, and I'm happy that I now have a lifelong connection to this unique institution.
If you still have questions about this programme or studying at SOAS get in touch.
Undergraduate applications should be made through UCAS.