Skip navigation

Religion, Philosophy and Ethics

Course details
  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 22 September 2025
  • Undergraduate
Course location
University Park Campus

Course summary

Philosophy and religion are fundamental to shaping our ethics. And by shaping us as individuals they shape society as a whole. Ethical thinking is unavoidable, difficult and demanding. The world's philosophical and religious traditions can help us cope with these demands.

You'll get a thorough introduction to:

  • what we mean by ethics

  • the principles of ethical reasoning and persuasion

  • the Christian, Muslim and Jewish traditions

Your modules will take different philosophical and theological perspectives and apply them to a range of questions such as:

  • How does the media shape what we think?

  • Who decides what justice is?

  • How have authors of fantasy and science fiction explored religious and ethical ideas?

Modules

Your first two years are a combination of core and optional modules. You'll get a thorough grounding in the essentials of Religious Studies and Philosophy, with an emphasis on their approach to ethics. You'll also be able to choose topics to study that build on existing knowledge or allow you to explore new areas.

Your third year is fully optional. You can explore widely and bias your studies to the areas that interest you or meet your career goals. There's the option to do a dissertation that can concentrate on Religious Studies or Philosophy or combine the two.

How to apply

Apply by
29 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
86V4
Institution code:
N84
Campus name:
University Park Campus
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

UCAS Tariff Not accepted

A level ABB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDD

Access to HE Diploma D: 24 credits M: 21 credits

Scottish Higher ABBBB

Plus two Advanced highers grades AB

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DD

plus A Level grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) D

plus two A Levels grades BB.

Scottish Advanced Higher AB

Plus ABBBB at highers

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 30 points

or 655 in 3 HL certificates.

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024) A - B

This qualification is considered alongside other University of Nottingham qualifications such as A Levels.

Extended Project A

If you have already achieved your EPQ at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your EPQ you will receive the standard course offer, with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your EPQ.

Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) H2, H2, H2, H2, H2, H3

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal D3, M2, M3

GCSE/National 4/National 5

GCSE English Grade 4 (Alpha grade C).

AQA Certificate in Mathematical Studies (Core Maths) A

If you have already achieved your Core Maths Qualification at grade A you will automatically be offered one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject. If you are still studying for your Core Maths Qualification you will receive the standard course offer, and also an alternate offer with a condition of one grade lower in a non-mandatory A level subject if you achieve an A grade in your Core Maths Qualification. If you qualify for a contextual offer, your Core Maths will be taken into consideration and the appropriate adjustment will be made to your offer.

European Baccalaureate - 75% overall.

University of Nottingham’s Arts and Humanities Foundation Year Progression Options

Degree courses in the Faculty of Arts are also available as progression routes from our Arts and Humanities Foundation Year (Y14F). This may be suitable if you have faced educational barriers and do not expect to meet the entry requirements for direct entry to a degree course. Please see the UCAS page for the Foundation Year course for further information.

Contextual admissions

Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.

We consider applicants solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential – we use exam grades to prioritise applicants but look at a range of factors and aim to give everyone an equal opportunity to show their achievements.

We understand that background and personal circumstances can have an impact on academic performance at school or college. Applicants who are eligible under our contextual admissions policies may be considered for a reduced contextual offer.

Learn more on the University of Nottingham website

Historical entry grades data

This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).

It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.

Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Per year tuition fees

LocationFeeYear

* This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

View undergraduate tuition fees for UK and international students: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/fees/tuitionfees/202526/undergraduate.aspx

Like this page