Course details

Summary

You can choose from a wide range of subjects in the humanities, social sciences, cultures and languages.

Our new requirement for two majors encourages you to develop substantial knowledge in two areas and enhance your opportunities for careers or postgraduate study.

Our BA develops the skills that are essential for you to adapt and thrive in a fast-changing, globalised economy. You will be able to use your knowledge and skills in many different careers and employment settings.

Theological and Religious Studies

Theological and Religious Studies gives students the opportunity to understand religious issues from a range of academic perspectives and to engage with them in a sophisticated and nuanced way.

Theological and Religious Studies explores the texts, histories, philosophies and practices of different religious traditions and considers the way they continue to influence peoples' beliefs, behaviors and cultures. It's not just about Christianity either, with a number of different religious practices covered.

Theological and Religious Studies covers topics as broad as religion and justice, gender roles, terrorism, art, architecture, communities and more. It can teach you how to analyse the complicated impact that religion has had on everyday life within both contemporary and historic contexts and how to discuss these important issues in an informed way. Undergraduate study may include courses on Islam and the contemporary world, the Bible and popular culture, religion and violence, and religion in New Zealand.

Theological and Religious Studies and your career

Understanding religious issues from a range of perspectives and engaging with them in a sophisticated and nuanced way equips students to operate globally. The multi-disciplinary nature of this programme means that a student will graduate from the programme with investigative, interpretative and critical skills that are also applicable to other fields of activity in which flexible thought, adaptability and multi-disciplinary engagement are required.

If you are beginning a BA in 2018

You can take a major in Theological and Religious Studies as one of your two BA majors (a double major). You will need to pass at least 120 points (eight courses) towards each of your majors, including at least 45 points (three courses) at Stage III.

Requirements for a BA major:

• For a single major you must pass at least 135 points, including at least 60 points above Stage II.
• For a double major you must pass at least 120 points in each of two majors, including at least 45 points above Stage II in each major.

Modules

A Module is a grouping of three courses (45 points) on a particular theme which enables you to add value to your degree.

What are Modules?

Modules are a new feature of the Bachelor of Arts from 2018.

Modules are optional. If you wish to, you may take one or two modules in addition to your two majors within the overall structure of the BA.

Modules are designed to complement the skills you will develop through your other studies. The skills you can expect to gain through BA study are outlined in our Graduate Profile.

Further study options

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
• Master of Arts

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.