Theology and religious studies

Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Chaplain
• Higher education lecturer
• Primary school teacher
• Secondary school teacher

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Advice worker
• Charity officer
• Civil Service administrator
• Community development worker
• Diplomatic service officer
• Editorial assistant
• Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
• Health service manager
• International aid/development worker
• Mediator
• Newspaper journalist
• Policy officer
• Politician's assistant
• Social worker
• Solicitor
• Youth worker

Remember that many employers accept applications from graduates with any degree subject, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

Work experience

It's important to get relevant work experience to help you build practical skills and strengthen your employability. Try to talk to professionals in areas that interest you and explore the types of placements or voluntary work available.

If you're considering a career in religious ministry, get involved in the life of your local faith community and speak with spiritual leaders about potential opportunities. Experience in planning or leading worship, prayer or other faith-based activities is particularly valuable, and you may find student faith groups at your university can help you get started.

If you're interested in teaching, try to get some experience in schools or educational settings with children of the age you'd like to teach. This could include observing lessons, listening to children read or getting involved in activities such as forest schools. This will demonstrate both your motivation and your ability to engage and support young people.

If you'd like a role that involves working with people, look for opportunities within your local community, such as volunteering with charities or organisations that offer care, counselling or pastoral support. These experiences can help you develop empathy, communication and teamwork skills that are valued in many careers.

Search for placements and find out more about work experience and internships.

Typical employers

There are opportunities for theology and religious studies graduates in a range of careers across many sectors. Typical employers include:

• the church and other religious or faith-based organisations
• national and local government, including the Civil Service, government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• schools, colleges and universities (for teaching, research and administrative roles)
• charities, voluntary and not-for-profit organisations, including international development and humanitarian agencies
• social services, youth work and other caring professions
• the NHS and private healthcare providers, particularly in chaplaincy, management or administrative roles
• publishing, media and journalism organisations
• PR, advertising, marketing and communications agencies
• financial, business, consultancy and legal firms
• museums, heritage and cultural organisations.

Find information on employers in teacher training and education, charity and voluntary work, public services and administration, and other job sectors.

Skills for your CV

Studying theology and religious studies gives you a thorough understanding of the major world religions, their historical development and their relationship with public life and the world we live in. You gain insight into the theological, ethical, cultural, political and philosophical issues of religion.

You also develop key skills that are valued by employers in a range of sectors. These include:

• research and analysis ability
• critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• ethical reasoning and the ability to construct a rational and well-structured argument
• written and verbal communication, with the ability to present complex information clearly
• teamworking and collaboration from working on group projects
• organisation and time management
• intercultural awareness and sensitivity to diversity
• empathy and the ability to understand people and their motivations
• independent thinking and self-reflection
• IT and project management skills
• the ability to appreciate and evaluate different perspectives and world views.

Further study

You may choose to deepen your understanding of religion or theology by studying for a postgraduate qualification such as a Masters or PhD. Areas of research include theology, religion and culture, chaplaincy studies, philosophy of religion, ethics, interfaith relations, and science and religion.

If you're interested in religious ministry or chaplaincy, you'll usually need to complete recognised theological or ministerial training, which may be offered through a theological college, seminary or faith-based institution.

There are also many vocational and professional postgraduate routes that can prepare you for specific careers. These are available in areas such as teaching, librarianship, counselling, social work and law.

You can also take postgraduate or professional courses that support careers in sectors such as journalism, marketing, finance, HR, business and management. Research your options carefully to find out whether a postgraduate qualification is required, or if your undergraduate degree and relevant work experience will be sufficient for entry.

For more information on further study and to find a course that interests you, see Masters degrees and search for postgraduate courses in theology and religious studies.

What do theology and religious studies graduates do?

16% of theology and religious studies graduates in employment in the UK are working as clergy, with a further 12% being employed as secondary education teaching professionals. Youth and community workers (6%), welfare and housing associate professionals (5%), teaching professionals (2%), primary education teaching professionals (2%) and finance and investment analysts and advisers (2%) are also popular occupations.

Find out what other graduates are doing after finishing their degrees in What do graduates do?

Graduate Outcomes survey data from HESA.