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Philosophy and Religion

  • BA (Hons)
  • 3 Years
  • Full-time
  • 21/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Main Site
More about University of Manchester

Course options

2026-2027
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Course summary

This joint degree offers the best of both Philosophical and Religious Studies.

You will study the sacred texts and world philosophies taught by various religious traditions, alongside the writings of some of the greatest world philosophers.

You will explore fascinating debates concerning human nature, conceptions of the divine, belief and doubt, existence, truth, and you'll reflect on the ways we think we know what we know.

You will also learn a variety of methods for approaching such profound questions, and Manchester's emphasis is distinctive: for Religious Studies, we offer the opportunity to study a diversity of religious traditions and their texts, with special emphasis on their real-world impact and for Philosophy we offer both Analytic and Continental philosophy.

Analytic Philosophy is concerned with the clarification of ideas and the language we use to express our ideas and has been highly influential in Anglo-American philosophy.

Continental Philosophy denotes a cluster of philosophical movements originating in 19th and 20th century continental Europe, and covers such areas as structuralism, hermeneutics, existentialism, phenomenology and deconstruction.

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Main Site

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time • 3 Years

Start dates

  • 21/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
VV35
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-
Points of Entry:
Year 1

University of Manchester has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 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:
VV35
Institution code:
M20
Campus name:
Main Site
Campus Code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - Not accepted

A level - AAB

AAB including one essay based/humanities subject. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels. Typical Contextual Offer: BBB including one essay based/humanities subject. Practical skills are a crucial part of science education and therefore will be a requirement to pass the practical element of any science A Level taken. Where applicants are applying for science and related degrees, this is likely to be made explicit in the offer you will receive. Applicants taking A Levels are normally expected to offer three full A Levels. If you’re taking more than three A Levels, these won’t be included in your offer. We will only make offers consisting of three A Levels.

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

BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we require Distinction / Distinction / Distinction.

Access to HE Diploma - D: 39 credits M: 6 credits

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course. Werequirea minimum of39 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 6 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject.

Scottish Higher

AABBB in Scottish Highers. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

AS

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

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

BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we require Distinction / Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade A, preferably in a Humanities subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D

BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we require a Distinction plus an A-level at min. Grade A in an essay-based subject (such as English or History) plus an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

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

BTEC National Extended Certificate: we require a Distinction, plus two A-levels at Grades AB; one of the A-levels should be in a Humanities subject.

Scottish Advanced Higher

AABBB in Scottish Highers. English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C/ Intermediate 2 grade C/ Standard Grade Credit level grade3). If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 35 points

35 points overall, with 6,6,5 in Higher Level subjects

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

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this. The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements. If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

Extended Project

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. We strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement (and at interview, if relevant). We may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account, should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course. For this programme, you will be made the standard offer plus an alternative one, if you are studying for an EPQ. The alternative offer will be one grade below the standard offer but you will also be asked to achieve a Grade A in your EPQ.

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Applicants must demonstrate a broad general education including acceptable levels of Literacy and Numeracy, equivalent to at least Grade 6 or B in GCSE/IGCSE English Language and 4 or C in Mathematics. GCSE/IGCSE English Literature will not be accepted in lieu of GCSE/IGCSE English Language. Please note that if you hold English as a second language IGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of  our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications  or achieve a higher grade in your IGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the admissions team in your academic School/Department for clarification.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DDD

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma (CTEC): We consider the Technical Extended Diploma for entry. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Diploma with grades DDD.

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - DD

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades DD plus an A Level at grade B in an essay-based subject such as English or History.

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma - D*D

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades D*D plus an A-level at min. Grade B in an essay-based subject (such as English or History) plus an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC): Entry requirements are based on achievement of EITHER the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade D* plus two A Levels at grades BB, OR full Tech Ext Cert Grade D plus two A-levels at Grades AB. In both cases, at least one of the A-levels should be in an essay-based subject such as English or History.

The University recognises a number of foundation programmes as suitable for entry to this undergraduate programme:

Applicants completing the INTO Manchester in partnership with The University of Manchester international foundation programme are required to achieve AAB and an EAP score of A with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.

Applicants completing the NCUK International Foundation year are required to achieve AAB and an EAP score of A with writing, speaking, listening and reading grade B.

Applicants studying other Foundation programmes should contact the academic School to check if their qualification is recognised for entry to this programme and for specific entry requirements.

English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)77.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in any one component
All applicants to the University (from the UK and Overseas) are required to show evidence of English Language proficiency. The minimum English Language requirement for this course is: GCSE/IGCSE English Language grade B/6, or; IELTS 7.0 with 6.5 in each component, or; An acceptable equivalent qualification. Please note that if you hold English as a second language iGCSE qualification, we may also require you to offer one of our acceptable equivalent English Language qualifications or achieve a higher grade in your iGCSE than the one stated above. Please contact the academic School for clarification. The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) requires that every student from outside the UK and the EU must show evidence of a minimum level of English Language in order to be granted a UK visa (Tier 4 visa) to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level. This level is often referred to as the 'B2 level'. Additionally, our individual Schools may ask for specific English Language proficiency levels that are necessary for their academic programmes. In most cases these requirements are likely to be higher than the B2 level.

Acceptable English Language Qualifications http://www.manchester.ac.uk/study/international/admissions/language-requirements/

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 operate contextual admissions meaning many applicants receive an offer and are admitted at least one grade below standard entry requirements. Entry requirements for applicants meeting contextual admissions criteria are listed next to the standard entry requirements on course profiles.

Contextual admissions means we consider your application in context helping us to ensure everyone has a fair chance of getting into Manchester. The data we use is automatically provided on your UCAS form.

Learn more on the University of Manchester website

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted 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

No fee information has been provided for this course

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

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

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