Religious Studies
Central to a wide range of civilisations and cultures throughout history, religion is powerful and persistent. As daily media reports show, religion is all around us: it is at once both a force for global co-operation and conflict, and a force at the heart of local communities.
Studying religion with the OU helps you to be better informed about the contemporary world and to understand a range of world views and lifestyles. You can choose from specialist and broad-based courses that explore:
- a range of religious traditions and cultures
- religion in society today
- religious practice and ideas from an historical perspective.
The specialist knowledge and transferable skills you gain are applicable in many sectors. They are particularly useful if you’re employed in teaching; commercial, industrial and public sector management; or social and community work.
Where to start in Religious Studies
We strongly recommend that you choose your course level with care, and consider taking a Level 1 arts course if you are at the start of your studies. Afterwards you will be well prepared to move on to more specialist subjects.
Worried about your ability? Or the time it will take? If you're a UK resident you can start with one of our Openings courses: short courses with lots of support and no exams, giving you a gradual introduction to your subject and the world of studying.
Don't forget that if you need help considering options you can talk to an adviser. And if you have some previous study experience you may qualify for credit transfer.
Degrees
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Humanities
This degree allows you to combine courses on different aspects of the arts – what people thought, made and practised – and their meaning and values in the past and today. -
Humanities with Religious Studies
This degree allows you to combine courses on religious studies and different aspects of the arts – what people thought, made and practised – and their meaning and values in the past and today. -
Open degree
The BA/BSc Open Degree provides a flexible way to combine a range of courses from different subjects either to suit your particular career or personal interests, or to complete studies you have started elsewhere.
Diplomas
Courses in Religious Studies
See the list of all our individual courses in Religious Studies.
Postgraduate options
If you already have a degree, you may want to see postgraduate courses and qualifications in Arts and Humanities.
Spotlight on Religious Studies
Understand how cultures and beliefs develop
Studying religion means knowing how beliefs, doctrines and practices have developed within particular contexts and how religious traditions have changed over time. You’ll understand how or why people have thought and acted, particularly in cultures other than your own.
How do beliefs and behaviours shape each other?
Explore how different mentalities, social behaviours and aesthetic responses have been shaped by beliefs and values. And how, in turn, beliefs, sacred texts and art forms have been shaped by society and politics.
Religious language and experience
Understanding the problems of religious language and experience, you will be less likely to offer simplistic explanations of their content and of their impact on society. And you’ll have a better grasp of the internal tensions within systems of beliefs and practices.
Got a question?
Contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service
Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90
