MA Theology & Religious Studies/Social & Public Policy
About this course
Theology and religious studies is one of the oldest academic disciplines, yet it addresses questions that are as live today as they have ever been. It encompasses the critical study of religion, sacred texts, theology, ethics, and the relationship between belief and culture. At its broadest, it asks what role religion plays in shaping societies, political movements, artistic traditions, and individual lives. Studied alongside social and public policy, it gains an additional dimension: the capacity to connect questions of belief, value, and community to the practical challenges of governance, welfare, and social justice. At Glasgow this four-year full-time programme pairs theology and religious studies with social and public policy, a combination that is unusual and genuinely stimulating. You will study religion and religions in their historical, philosophical, and cultural contexts, alongside the processes by which social policies are made, implemented, and evaluated. A year abroad is available, giving you the opportunity to pursue your studies in a different academic and cultural environment. The typical entry tariff for this programme is 232 UCAS points. As the course describes it, theology and religious studies at Glasgow treats religion not as separate from the world but as deeply enmeshed in politics, history, philosophy, art, and culture. Graduates from this combination pursue careers in public administration, the civil service, social work, the voluntary sector, education, journalism, and policy research. The intersection of deep ethical thinking and practical policy analysis is particularly valued in roles dealing with community cohesion, equality and diversity, welfare, and international affairs. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in theology, religious studies, social policy, or law, and some pursue ordination or professional ministry alongside or after their academic careers.
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