Skip to content The Open University
  1. Study at the OU
  2. Undergraduate
  3. Arts and Humanities
  4. Religious Studies

Religious Studies

On this page

Image to illiustrate studying Religious Studies at The Open University

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.

Degrees

  • Humanities
    This degree allows you to combine modules 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 modules on 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 is a qualification that gives you a huge choice in terms of subjects and modules that you study to make up your degree.

Diplomas of Higher Education

Certificates of Higher Education

Not sure if you’re ready? Try a short introductory Openings course

If you would like to try Open University study before you commit to a qualification, our Openings courses could be the right place for you to start. These introductory-level courses have been specially designed to help you find out what it’s like to study with the OU, get a taste of a subject area, develop your study skills, and build your confidence. There is also financial support available for these courses. Read more about our Openings courses.

Study a module as a standalone course

You can study a single module on its own for personal interest or to improve your career prospects. See the list of all our individual courses in Religious Studies.

Undergraduate

Our 2012 Guides to OU Study are out now!
Everything you need to know about the OU and an introduction to our degree courses.
Are you already an OU student ? Go to StudentHome for information on choosing your next module.

Your questions

We may have already answered it in our frequently asked questions.

Or contact an adviser in our Student Registration & Enquiry Service Email or call +44(0) 845 300 60 90 +44(0) 845 366 60 35

Employers' questions

Contact Corporate Enquiries
Visit our website for employers or Email us

Get a prospectus

Download or
order