Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion

Theology, Religion, and Philosophy and Religion at Cambridge (TRPR) is a multidisciplinary arts and humanities degree focussed on fundamental questions about meaning, truth, and belief, and one of the most flexible courses we offer.

The degree offers the opportunity to explore and critically interrogate a wide range of philosophical and religious traditions, whether ancient, modern, or post-modern, and to do so from a variety of disciplinary perspectives. It reveals how religion has been and continues to be a driving force in shaping human society and culture across the globe.

TRPR caters to students with many different academic interests, irrespective of whether they belong to a particular faith community or not. The course combines historical, sociological, and anthropological approaches to religious belief and unbelief, with the study of sacred languages and literatures, and the philosophical and theological investigation of key issues in metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, and more.

Magdalene has a strong heritage in the arts and humanities generally, and in theological and philosophical studies in particular. C. S. Lewis was a Fellow here, and Dr Rowan Williams (the scholar, poet, and former Archbishop of Canterbury), was Master of the College from 2013-2020. We normally aim to admit two to three new students in TRPR each year, who form a good community with students in our other arts and humanities subjects.

Our Director of Studies for the undergraduate degree is Dr Simon Ravenscroft, who works primarily in philosophy of religion. The Regius Professor of Divinity, David Fergusson, is also a Fellow of the College, and is a leading authority in various areas of Christian doctrine and philosophical theology.  Prof. Jeremy Begbie, another Fellow, works mainly at the intersection of theology and the creative and imaginative arts. Another senior member, Prof. Eamon Duffy, is Emeritus Professor of the History of Christianity, and an expert in early modern Church history and the European reformations. Dr Rowan Williams remains an Honorary Fellow. Other Fellows with related interests include Prof. Amira Bennison, who works on aspects of the history of Islam, and Dr John Munns, who works on medieval art, architecture, and ecclesiastical history.

More details of the course and the optional papers available can be found on the University’s Undergraduate Study pages and the Faculty of Divinity website.

TRPR is a broad-based humanities degree in which you will learn to use a variety of different academic methodologies, study big questions about truth and human experience, and gain a deeper understanding of the range of beliefs and practices that have for centuries given meaning to human life. You do not need to belong to any particular religious faith to study TRPR at Cambridge, and you certainly do not need to be pursuing a religious career path. A variety of subject combinations at A-level (or equivalent) can provide good preparation. 

It is not essential to have studied Religious Studies or Philosophy at school, though it can be helpful, as can many other essay-based subjects, such as English Literature or History. Far more important are a good critical and creative intelligence, and genuine enthusiasm for the subject. Alongside this, competitive applicants normally demonstrate an ability to handle abstract ideas well, to think logically and coherently, and to make good and interesting connections. The interview is an opportunity for candidates to show, through discussion, that they have these qualities.

Note that language teaching in TRPR assumes no previous knowledge of the language and there is no requirement for applicants to have a language qualification.

There are no set subject requirements for TRPR. 

Minimum Offer 

A-level: A*AA 

IB:41-42 points overall, with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.

Other qualifications: Check which other qualifications we accept 

Candidates will normally have two interviews of 20-25 minutes each. 

The interview process aims to assess your intellectual ability, potential, and commitment to the subject.

We also usually ask for two samples of written work (such as school essays) to be submitted with the application.

There is no admissions assessment for TRPR at Magdalene.

More information is available on the Interviews, Written Work and Assessments page.