Theology and Religious Studies

The Course

From the first year, students are offered a broad choice of papers. Four or five papers are taken in each year. Over the three years it is possible increasingly to specialise in Comparative Religion, Philosophy, Biblical Literature, Church History, Doctrine, or a blend of these areas. For one year all students must study Hebrew, Greek or Arabic to give them access to some of the world’s sacred literature in the original language. In the final year it is possible to offer a dissertation on a subject of the student’s choice in place of one of the papers.

Full details of the course can be found on the Divinity School's website: www.divinity.cam.ac.uk

Studying Theology at Clare

Students apply to read Theology at Clare for various reasons. What they have in common is an interest in the religious dimension of human life, and the desire to study it in greater depth. Some have a religious faith they want to test and deepen, but this is by no means universal or necessary amongst Theology students. The Tripos is called ‘Theology and Religious Studies’ because it is intended to appeal to those interested in Jewish, Islamic or Christian Theology, as well as those who are interested in comparative religion or the philosophy of religion. There is also a possibility to study in cross-disciplinary fields, looking, for example, at the interaction between Theology and Literature, Psychology, and Science. Some students want to use a theological degree as a basis for teaching or ministry. Others have no particular career in mind, but are looking for an intellectually demanding course which will address issues they consider to be of fundamental importance.

It is the responsibility of the Director of Studies in Theology to arrange supervision for any paper in the Tripos that a student chooses. He supervises Clare students where he can, if students want to take papers in his area. The Cambridge system allows students to change subjects at the end of the academic year. Some Clare theologians have done a year or two of another subject, which may give them particular insights in areas like the borderland between Theology and Philosophy or Natural Science. Recent Clare Theology graduates have gone into publishing, teaching, accountancy, full-time work with refugees, and the world of professional music.

Admissions Requirements

It is not necessary to have done Religious Studies at school to apply for Theology. You will need the ability to write essays on the basis of wide and critical reading, willingness to study a language that will probably be new to you, intellectual curiosity, and good results at A2 level, or some equivalent qualification. A typical offer would be A*AA at A2 level or 7,7,6 (40+ overall) in the IB or the equivalent in other educational systems.

Interviews

There is no quota for admission to read Theology at Clare. Each application is assessed individually, and those invited for interview normally visit the College in the second or third week in December. Usually candidates are interviewed twice, and there is also a one-hour written aptitude test, for which candidates are not expected to do specific preparation. You will also be asked to send two pieces of written work that show your ability to write essays. If you have not studied Theology or Religious Studies at school, English or History essays would be ideal alternatives.

Fellows in Theology

Revd Gregory Seach Dean of Clare and Director of Studies. His research interests are in Theology and Literature, specifically in the possibilities of the novel as a medium for theological thinking. More generally, he teaches and is interested in areas of Christian doctrine.

Dr Douglas Hedley Reader in Hermeneutics and Metaphysics. His research interests are Neoplatonism, Idealism and Philosophy of Religion.