Politics and Theology & Religion, MA

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Aberdeen

Program Overview

This degree lets you dive into two deeply connected fields: you’ll get strong grounding in politics — how power works, how decisions are made, how societies are governed — while also exploring the role of religion (and theology) in shaping beliefs, ethics, culture, and society. It’s ideal for students who are curious about how worldviews, spirituality, and institutions collide — people who want to think, challenge, and engage, not just memorize.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll build foundational tools in both politics and theology. In Politics, you’ll take Politics & International Relations 1: Democracy and Governance (PI1018) and Politics & International Relations 2: Power and Conflict (PI1518), which introduce you to concepts like systems of governance, conflict, power dynamics, and political theory. On the theology side you’ll pick optional courses (for 60 credits) such as Latin 1 (LT1009) to help you read classical texts, or introductory modules in Divinity, giving you exposure to religious traditions, doctrines, and scripture.

Year 2

In the second year, your political studies deepen through Ideas and Ideologies in Politics and International Relations (PI2009), where you’ll interrogate belief systems, identity, justice and rights, and Global Politics: Equality and Inequality (PI2508), which examines how inequality is produced and contested worldwide. Alongside that, you’ll choose further courses in Divinity (or theology) that let you explore religious history, ethics, or comparative religion, cementing your dual disciplinary identity.

Year 3

Third year is where you build methodological strength and real-world application. You’ll take Research Methods in Politics and International Relations (PI3084) to learn how to design and execute political or social research — a crucial skill for your final year and beyond. You’ll also engage in an Employer-Led Interdisciplinary Project (ED3537) to tackle a real-world problem alongside peers and external organisations. On the Politics side you can choose from courses such as International Security (IR3518) or Political Parties in Britain (PI3562). At the same time, theology / Divinity courses will continue to challenge you in understanding religious ideas, history, and practice in contemporary life.

Year 4 (Honours)

In your final year, you’ll complete a dissertation (in either the theology/divinity half or the politics/IR half) where you pursue independent research under guidance. You’ll also take specialized optional modules—for instance, Global Politics from the Middle East (AT4032), War and Peace in International Politics (IR4036), or Contemporary French Politics: Race, Religion and Social Change (LA401G)—as well as advanced courses in Divinity. This year is about pursuing your own interests, sharpening argumentation, and producing work you can take pride in.

Focus areas: politics, international relations, theology, ethics, religion in society, research methods
Learning outcomes: ability to analyse political systems and religious traditions, critically engage with ethical and religious debates, plan and carry through independent research, communicate complex ideas clearly
Professional alignment (accreditation): —
Reputation (employability rankings): Graduates are well regarded in fields like public service, NGOs, media, education, faith institutions — Aberdeen highlights strong employability potential.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Aberdeen, studying Politics and Theology isn’t just about reading books and writing essays — it’s about experiencing these subjects in action. Throughout your degree, you’ll go beyond the classroom to engage with real research projects, explore original historical texts, and debate ideas that shape our world today. You’ll work closely with leading academics and guest speakers, connect with active research centres, and have access to some of the most impressive libraries and archives in Scotland. This hands-on approach ensures you don’t just learn about politics and religion — you learn how to think and work like a political analyst, theologian, or researcher.

And there’s plenty of opportunities to apply what you learn in meaningful ways:

Collaborative research projects: Work with classmates on real political or theological questions, present your findings, and get professional feedback — just like you would in a workplace or research environment.
Exclusive access to world-class resources: Use the Sir Duncan Rice Library and the Divinity Library, which hold rare manuscripts, primary sources, and specialist collections that support deep research in politics, religion, and history.
Specialist seminars and guest lectures: Take part in regular talks and workshops led by visiting scholars and field experts. Events like the prestigious Gifford Lectures give you a chance to debate big ideas and network with academics and professionals.
Engagement with active research centres: Get involved with centres like the Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology and the Centre for Spirituality, Health & Disability, where cutting-edge research connects faith, ethics, and society.
Independent dissertation research: Design and carry out your own final-year research project using archives, fieldwork, or primary sources — an experience that builds critical thinking and research skills highly valued by employers.

This combination of research-rich teaching, access to specialist resources, and involvement with active academic communities makes your degree far more than theory — it’s practical preparation for careers in policy, academia, education, NGOs, and beyond.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Studying Politics and Theology at Aberdeen opens the door to a wide range of exciting careers. Because you’ll graduate with strong skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, and analysis, employers value this degree in many sectors. Whether you want to influence public policy, work for charities and NGOs, shape public opinion through journalism, or engage with communities through faith-based or educational roles, you’ll be equipped to do so. Typical career paths for graduates include Policy Analyst, Campaign Manager, Programme Officer, or Religious Affairs Consultant.

What really sets Aberdeen apart is how well it prepares you for life after graduation. You won’t just walk away with a degree — you’ll also have access to practical support, connections, and opportunities that help you turn your knowledge into a career:

Personalised career support for life: The University’s Careers & Employability Service is there for you even after graduation. You can get one-to-one career advice, help with your CV, and interview coaching — plus access to MyCareerHub, where hundreds of job and internship opportunities are posted.
Placements and real-world experience: Many courses across the university include work placements or project-based learning, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned in real organisations and start building your professional network.
Strong employment outcomes: Around 96.6% of Aberdeen graduates are in work or further study within six months of finishing their degree. For politics graduates, the average salary is around £25,500 just 15 months after graduation.
Nationally recognised for employability: Aberdeen was ranked 3rd in the UK for work experience opportunities in the 2025 Rate My Placement Awards, showing just how focused the university is on preparing students for successful careers.
A respected name on your CV: Even without formal accreditation, a degree from Aberdeen — one of the UK’s oldest and most respected universities — carries weight with employers and academic institutions worldwide.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re thinking about continuing your studies, this degree gives you a strong platform for postgraduate study in areas such as Political Theory, Public Policy, International Relations, Theology, or Religious Studies. Many graduates go on to complete a Master’s or PhD, pursue research careers, or move into specialist roles in government, academia, NGOs, and think tanks. Aberdeen’s strong research community and global reputation make it an excellent launchpad for advanced study.