A degree in Religion and Theology allows you to pursue a great range of career paths - for instance, click here to see Religion and Theology graduate destinations from our Careers Services pages. Also, see the series of videos of theology and religious studies graduates on the Theology & Religious Studies in Higher Education website (see section 'What can I do with a degree in TRS?'), including one of our own graduates, Ben Wilson, from the National Infrastructure Commission. Ben moved into communications and public relations shortly after graduating from Bristol (where he also served as Vice President of the Students’ Union), and has worked in various not-for-profit organisations including the UK Supreme Court and Goldsmiths, University of London, in senior communications roles.

Those who want to pursue a career as teachers invariably undertake a year of teacher training; those wishing to continue on to an academic career, or to focus more closely on one of the many disciplines studied might do a Master’s degree.

Several of our graduates are now heads of religious studies in schools in the UK or teaching in universities in the UK or abroad.

Those who want to work closely on issues of inter-religious dialogue, religion and the community, and religious integration have found internships or employment in fields such as journalism, counselling, social work, or mediation and negotiation.

Careers

Not all end up pursuing a teaching or research career. Many opt for a law conversion degree or build successful careers in non-profit, governmental, and intergovernmental organisations. Others have moved on to work in both the public and private sectors in fields as diverse as civil service, personnel and accountancy, alternative technologies, working for NGOs, communication, and arts and entertainment.

Employers place great value on the transferable skills that religion and theology graduates offer. These include the ability to think critically, write fluently, and appreciate ideas and opinions different to your own. As one of our former students, Tom Francis, now working for Dorset County Council, commented: ‘A degree in Religion and Theology really gets you noticed when you apply for jobs.’

Making a Difference

Whether you believe in it or not, religion is one of the most defining qualities of humankind. It has shaped the lives of individuals and societies through the ages and, today, preoccupies an estimated 90 per cent of the world’s population. Yet it is famously one of the most divisive topics of conversation and avoided by many who shy away from the passionate arguments it inspires.

A degree in Religion and Theology helps you understand the many debates that surround issues of ethics and values in the institutions that govern our society and gives you a deeper awareness of the religious beliefs and practices that have shaped societies across the world.

We are proud to say that some of our past graduates are now employing the skills acquired through our degrees to make a difference through organisations such as Islamic Relief Worldwide and the United Nations. 

Whether or not you intend to pursue a career in Religion and Theology after you graduate, a good Religion and Theology degree from Bristol shows employers that you have:

• Openness to new ideas and different points of view
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Creative and critical abilities
• Capacity for hard work
• A high standard of flexible professional skills, such as:
  • being able to work independently and as part of a team
  • preparing documents to a high standard of literacy
  • being able to deliver a confident public presentation
  • carrying a major project through to completion.

The training you receive during your Religion and Theology degree here at the University of Bristol will give you a strong base from which to develop your professional career, in whichever direction you choose.