Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion
Fact File
Why is there something, rather than nothing? What is truth and how can we know it? Do good and evil exist? Is beauty part of the fabric of reality or a projection of the human psyche? Is there a God? Do religious belief and scientific understanding conflict? What do different religions believe and how have their followers expressed their belief? How should one read and interpret sacred texts?
Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion at Cambridge explores a wide range of questions like these about knowledge, reality, human society and culture, meaning, and experience, taking in topics both ancient and modern. It is a broad-based and multidisciplinary arts degree in which you can pursue many different interests, irrespective of whether you belong to a particular faith community yourself or not.
Worldwide, six out of seven people describe themselves as religious, with religious beliefs driving social and political change globally. Taking Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (TRPR) at Cambridge allows you to study in detail many different religious and philosophical traditions, explore the connections between them, and understand their relationship with the larger societies and cultures of which they are a part.
You do not have 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. TRPR is a broad-based arts degree in which you will learn to use a variety of different academic methodologies, study big questions about the nature of truth and experience, and gain a deep understanding of the range of beliefs and practices that have for centuries given meaning to human life, and shaped societies, cultures, and the course of history.
The flexibility of our degree structure allows you to choose the particular subjects and themes that you want to pursue. There are only two required papers in the whole degree programme. In the first year, all undergraduates study a scriptural language (Hebrew, Greek, Sanskrit, Arabic) at introductory level, and at least one biblical paper (Old or New Testament). After that, you will select your own papers, which means you have a lot of choice over which subjects you study. You will be able to select papers on a range of religious traditions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Judaism, and explore different theological, philosophical, sociological and historical approaches to the study of religion. Many papers are ‘interdisciplinary’, which means you will be able to combine your interest in religion with areas such as history, sociology, anthropology, philosophy, ethics, literature, politics, and science.
Some students choose to follow a pathway that matches their interests for one or more years. Pathways are informal programmes of study; you do not have to officially declare your choice, and you are not bound to follow it every year. Possible pathways include: Islamic Studies, Jewish Studies, Religious Traditions of India, Biblical Studies, Christian Theology, Christian History, and Philosophy of Religion.
More information on the Faculty and the course can be found on the Faculty’s website.
Magdalene has a long and strong tradition in theology and the study of religion. Each year we make one to three offers in the subject, and there are usually a number of postgraduate students studying for a master’s degree or PhD.
As well as the Director of Studies, Dr Simon Ravenscroft, who works in the area of social and political theology and philosophy, Magdalene also boasts among its Fellows the Regius Professor of Divinity, Professor David Fergusson. Professor Fergusson is a leading authority in various areas of Christian doctrine and philosophical theology and enjoys teaching undergraduates. Another senior member, Professor Eamon Duffy, is Emeritus Professor of the History of Christianity, and an expert in early modern Church history and the European reformations. The former Archbishop of Canterbury and former Master of the College, Dr Rowan Williams, remains an Honorary Fellow. Other Fellows with related interests include Professor Amira Bennison, who works on aspects of the History of Islam, and Dr John Munns, who works on medieval art, architecture, and ecclesiastical history. As a student of TRPR, you would be taught by academics from many different Colleges.
As with many arts degrees, a wide range of career paths are open to TRPR graduates. From an employer’s perspective, you will be especially valued for your intercultural literacy, critical thinking, research skills and understanding of the depth and nuance of human experience.
Along with enthusiasm for the subject, successful candidates usually exhibit native intelligence, an ability to deal with texts and ideas, to think logically and coherently, and to make appropriate connections between related ideas and concepts. The interview is an opportunity for the candidate to show, through discussion, that they have these qualities.
It is not essential to have studied RE/RS or Philosophy at school, though it can be helpful, as can many other essay-based subjects in the humanities. Far more important are a good critical intelligence and a lively commitment to the subject. 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. Our typical offer condition is A*AA at A-level or 41-42 points in the IB with 7,7,6 at Higher Level.
Interviews, Written Work and Assessments
Applicants are required to submit two written essays in advance, and will normally have either one interview lasting approximately 40-50 minutes, or two interviews each lasting approximately 20-25 minutes. Candidates may be given a short passage to read and think about before the start of one or both interviews.
Applicants invited for interview will also take a written assessment. The assessment for TRPR is a Cambridge College-registered assessment. This means you will not need to register for this assessment in advance and the College will provide details directly to you. More information about the assessment is available here. Please note that your performance in the written assessment will not be considered in isolation, but will be taken into account alongside the other elements of your application.
Professor David Fergusson
