English Literature and Religion

English literature and religion is a degree for those who enjoy seeing things from different perspectives and exploring new ways of thinking. The two disciplines are more deeply intertwined than they might at first appear: religion has shaped literature across every culture and period, from medieval allegory and the King James Bible through to contemporary novels engaging with faith, doubt, and transcendence, while literature has long been one of the primary ways in which religious ideas and experiences are expressed, questioned, and transmitted. Studying them together opens up both fields in ways that neither can achieve alone.

At York St John University, this part-time programme develops your skills in close literary reading and critical analysis alongside your engagement with theological texts, religious traditions, and the academic study of religion. You will explore literature across different periods, genres, and cultural traditions while also studying the major world religions, theology, and the ethical and philosophical questions that religion raises. The programme includes an integrated foundation year, making it accessible to students who wish to build their academic foundations, along with a sandwich year with a year abroad and work placement that add professional experience and international exposure.

Graduates of English literature and religion go on to careers in teaching, chaplaincy and faith community work, publishing, journalism, social work, the voluntary sector, heritage and museums, and a wide range of roles where the ability to engage with diverse human experiences, complex texts, and ethical questions is valued. Many graduates continue to postgraduate study in theology, religious studies, English literature, or education.