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BA Joint Honours Theology and Philosophy (UCAS Code: VV65)

Philosophy

School of Institute of Theology

Degree Selected

BA Joint Honours Theology and Philosophy (UCAS Code: VV65)

Contact Information

For entrance requirements
E: admissions@qub.ac.uk
T: +44 (0)28 9097 3838

For course information
The Director of the Institute of Theology 
Institute of Theology
T: +44 (0)28 9097 4170
E: theology@qub.ac.uk
W: www.qub.ac.uk/ithe

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Entrance Requirements

Divinity
Bachelor of Divinity (BD) 3 yrs (V600)

Theology
Bachelor of Theology (BTh) 3 yrs (V612)
Diploma in Theology (DipTh) 3 yrs (V670)

BA Joint Honours
Theology and English 3 yrs (QV36)
Theology and History 3 yrs (VV61)
Theology and Philosophy 3 yrs (VV65)

 

Entrance Requirements

A-level: BBB

Irish Leaving Certificate: B2B2B2B2CC/B2B2B2B2B2

Those returning to education after a break will be considered individually on their own merits.

Note: for entry into any of these courses, you must apply through UCAS in the normal manner if you wish to study full-time; for part-time study you may apply directly to the University. In addition, you must also apply for admission directly to one of the recognised Colleges. Neither the University nor UCAS will do this for you.

All applicants
There are no specific subject requirements to study Theology/Divinity. However, if you plan to study Theology as a Joint Honours degree you should refer to the subject requirements for the other course.

For students whose first language is not English
An IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each test component or an equivalent acceptable qualification, details of which are available at: http://go.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs

If you are an international student and you do not meet the English Language requirements, you should consider a preparation course at INTO Queen's University Belfast, which will develop the language skills you need to progress. INTO Queen's University Belfast is based on the University campus and offers a range of courses. For a full list click here

 

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The Subject

Theology at Queen's offers students the opportunity to explore the breadth of theological study as well as allowing specialisation in themes of particular interest. All degrees include modules on the history of the Christian church, biblical languages, pastoral studies and key issues in theological thought. 

Theology teaching is delivered by staff in the Union Theological College and the Belfast Bible College.

All degrees are non-denominational and are open to suitably qualified applicants, regardless of religious belief or denominational association. Each College hosts a lively student community with excellent social calendars and pastoral support.

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Course Content

BD/BTh/BA 
The Bachelor of Divinity (BD) and Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degrees have a common curriculum at Stage 1, providing a broad foundation in the subject. Thereafter there is a wide choice of modules. 

For the BD, study of the biblical languages is compulsory; for students on other Theology degrees this is optional. 

The BD and BTh are available in Single Honours mode (concentrating completely on Theology), while the BA degree combines Theology with either English, History or Philosophy. 

Diploma in Theology 
The Diploma (DipTh) is taken over two years (full-time) or three years (part-time), and consists of 12 modules, to be chosen from a range of theological subject areas: 

• Church History 
• Historical Theology 
• New Testament 
• Old Testament 
• Pastoral Studies

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Learning and Teaching

The Institute of Theology works in conjunction with theological colleges recognised by Queen's University Belfast. All students in the Institute are Queen's University students but they receive tuition provided by subject specialist staff in the colleges. Each of the colleges offers a warm and friendly community, ideal for personal enrichment. Although some of these colleges may be associated with a particular religious denomination, all Institute courses are non-denominational in character and are open to all students. The Institute welcomes all suitably qualified students without regard to personal religious viewpoints.

From the outset, Theology students enter a variety of learning environments:

  • Lectures: introduce basic information about new topics as a starting point for further self-directed private study/reading.  Lectures also provide opportunities to ask questions, gain some feedback and advice on assessments.
  • E-Learning technologies:   Information associated with lectures and assignments is often communicated via a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Queen’s Online.
  • Seminars/tutorials:  Significant amounts of teaching are carried out in small groups (typically 10-20 students).  These provide an opportunity for students to engage with academic staff who have specialist knowledge of the topic, to ask questions and to assess progress and understanding with the support of peers.  Students are expected to make presentations and other contributions to these groups.
  • Self-directed study: This represents a very important part of life as a Queen’s student; private self-directed reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date and assignment research and preparation are the foundation of academic achievement.
  • Youth ministry projects and placements: These offer Theology students the opportunity to reflect upon the practical dimension to their studies and are a valuable introduction to the world beyond the university.
  • Supervised projects:  In their third year of study Theology students are invited to carry out a significant piece of research on a topic chosen by themselves.  Supported by a supervisor, students are guided through the processes of independent research and the scholarly presentation of their results.
  •  Personal Tutor:  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor during Levels 1 and 2 who meets with them on several occasions during the year to support their academic development.

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Assessment and Feedback

Assessment (general):  The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the Learning objectives of each module.  Some modules are assessed solely through project work or written assignments.  Others are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations.  Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback (general):  As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and your peers.  University students are expected to engage with reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

 

  • Feedback provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that students, as individuals or as part of a group, have submitted. 
  • Face to face comment.  This may include occasions when students make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help address a specific query.
  • Placement employer comments or references.
  • Online or emailed comment.
  • General comments or question and answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar or tutorial.
  • Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid.  In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which students can review in their own time. 
  • Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
  • Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as, Careers, Employability and Skills or the Learning Development Service.

 

Once students have reviewed their feedback, they are encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of their work. 

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Careers

Some Theology and Philosophy graduates wish to pursue their study of the subject further and proceed after graduation to postgraduate study. Some undertake the life of Christian ministry. Most, however, successfully enter the world of secular employment and bring with them much-valued skills and adaptability, so important in the world of work after university.

 

Among the successful careers, QUB Theologians are to be found in public service as:

 

  • Social and community workers
  • Teachers (primary and secondary)
  • Civil servants
  • Lawyers
  • Journalists and media commentators

 

For further information concerning the types of jobs that attract Theology graduates, see www.prospects.ac.uk.

Other Career-related information: Queen’s is a member of the Russell Group and, therefore, one of the 20 universities most-targeted by leading graduate employers.  Queen’s students will be advised and guided about career choice and, through the Degree Plus initiative, will have an opportunity to seek accreditation for skills development and experience gained through the wide range of extra-curricular activities on offer.  See Queen’s University Belfast fullEmployability Statementfor further information.

Degree Plus and other related initiatives:  Recognising student diversity, as well as promoting employability enhancements and other interests, is part of the developmental experience at Queen’s.  Students are encouraged to plan and build their own personal skill and experiential profile through a range of activities including; recognised Queen’s Certificates, placements and other work experiences (at home or overseas), Erasmus study options elsewhere in Europe, learning development opportunities and involvement in wider university life through activities, such as clubs, societies, and sports. 

Queen’s actively encourages this type of activity by offering students an additional qualification, the Degree Plus Award (and the related Researcher Plus Award for PhD and MPhil students).  Degree Plus accredits wider experiential and skill development gained through extra-curricular activities that promote the enhancement of academic, career management, personal and employability skills in a variety of contexts.  As part of the Award, students are also trained on how to reflect on the experience(s) and make the link between academic achievement, extracurricular activities, transferable skills and graduate employment. Participating students will also be trained in how to reflect on their skills and experiences and can gain an understanding of how to articulate the significance of these to others, e.g. employers.

Overall, these initiatives, and Degree Plusin particular, reward the energy, drive, determination and enthusiasm shown by students engaging in activities over-and-above the requirements of their academic studies. These qualities are amongst those valued highly by graduate employers.

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Special Features

Students returning to academic studies may be given credit for previous work experience or qualifications.

 

 Last updated: 12.09.13

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