History and Theology

An undergraduate BA History and Theology at the University of Birmingham will enable you to explore in depth religion, faith and spirituality in one of the most culturally and religiously diverse communities in Europe. You will investigate unfamiliar territory and question some of the myths, preconceptions and prejudices that surround History as you study religious movements, institutions and theological ideas that have had a profound influence on historical events and processes.

Our degree gives you the opportunity to explore a wide range of options covering the medieval, early modern and modern periods, over a vast geographical range. You can study political, social, cultural and religious history as well as histories of race and gender. There are frequently opportunities to take modules in other departments such as in Art History, African history, and Anthropology.

You will be taught by specialists with expertise in a diverse range of disciplines as well as global schools of thought, movements and traditions that are shaping the twenty-first century. Yoou will also have access to unparalleled resources such as the on-campus Cadbury Research Library. Its collections include a wide range of nationally- and internationally-important archives as well as over 250,000 rare books, some dating back to the 15th century.

During your degree course, you will also develop an informed appreciation of the religious and historical contexts surrounding pressing contemporary issues, which will allow you to engage critically with historical and theological debates and identify how they influence each other.

Why study this course?

Our BA History and Theology is right for you if you want to...

Boost your employability skills - a History degree will equip you with skills that employers value. There’s a chance to learn a new language for free, take our Professional Skills module and take advantage of the paid internships offered exclusively to University of Birmingham students. 92% of our History graduates are in work or further study (Discover Uni stats 2022).

Experience a history degree applicable to today’s society - our modules explore how the past informs the present and provides a global historical understanding from the Middle Ages to this century, all through a modern lens.

Live in a culturally diverse city - all major faiths are well-represented in Birmingham, with more than 650 churches, mosques, synagogues and temples across the city. Outside London, Birmingham has the UK’s largest Muslim, Sikh and Buddhist communities, the second-largest Hindu community and the seventh-largest Jewish community.

Be taught by our internationally renowned academic staff, who do research that matters - the Department ranked 1st in the country for Research Impact, on its performance in the latest Research Excellence Framework exercise 2021.

Explore diverse perspectives - unlike other universities, we engage with all students/major religions and not just the typical approach of studying the three major abrahamic religions. We want our students to gain a strong understanding of all major religions whilst also specialising in the niche that interests them the most. In your final year, you will have freedom to choose any module that interests you ranging from the Hebrew Bible to the Holocaust.

13th for History in the Complete University Guide 2025

8th for Theology and Religious Studies in the Complete University Guide 2025

First-year modules cover a broad base of the subject and are designed to introduce you to ways of studying at university. By the final year the modules you take will become more specialised and reflect the research expertise of the academic staff. More detailed module information can be found on the ‘Course detail’ tab on the University of Birmingham’s coursefinder web pages.