More about the course

The study of philosophy develops analytical rigour and the ability to criticise and reason logically. It allows you to apply these skills to questions ranging from how we acquire knowledge and form moral judgments to central questions in the philosophy of religion, including the existence and nature of God and the relevance of religion to human life. The study of Theology brings together a wide range of skills and disciplines, historical, textual, linguistic, sociological, literary-critical and philosophical. It provides a grounding in the theology and ethics of early and of modern Christianity, along with a wide range of options in the academic study of religion, including non-Christian traditions.

The Philosophy Faculty is the largest philosophy department in the UK (and ranked highest), admitting more than 500 undergraduates annually to read the various degrees involving philosophy. The Theology and Religion Faculty has more than 100 members, covering almost every possible branch of the discipline, ranging from experts in the ancient languages and literature of the world’s religions to church historians and systematic theologians. Its reputation attracts scholars from all over the world as visiting lecturers.

Your work is divided between tutorials (usually one a week), lectures (typically six to eight weekly), and perhaps some classes, for instance for first-year logic, or for modern doctrine. A large part of your week will be spent in private study to prepare essays for tutorials.

View a list of our academic teaching staff

Department websites:

www.philosophy.ox.ac.uk

www.theology.ox.ac.uk

To find out more about studying Philosophy and Theology at Oxford watch this video.