We are a large department with a full breadth of expertise
We have around 10 academics working across all the core disciplines of Christian theology, religious studies, biblical studies and philosophy, ethics and religion’ in a variety of interesting fields. Our size means you will always be taught by a subject specialist.
Because of this breadth of expertise, we can offer a good range of module options in areas that draw on our specialisms.
We offer opportunities to study abroad and benefit from fieldtrips in the UK and beyond
In addition to the University’s Study Abroad scheme, we offer our students the opportunity to leave the classroom and study religion through a first-hand engagement with religious communities and contexts, both home and away. In the past we have taken groups to Jerusalem (Israel-Palestine), Bengal (India) and Thessalonika (Greece). In 2022, Dr Steve Knowles took a group of students to Jerusalem for a week to explore questions related to the sanctity of material places, inter-faith relations, and religion and modern politics.
You will be taught by researching staff with international reputations
We are a research-active department who produce internationally excellent and world-leading research publications. At Chester, we ensure that the research we do informs the courses we design and deliver so that our students get to benefit from our interests.
We are committed to excellence in our teaching and in our support for students
At Chester, we hold together a commitment to academic rigour with a commitment to supporting students. You can expect to receive the highest quality teaching and to be intellectually challenged to achieve your best. You will receive the highest level of academic support from staff who are committed to your academic success and personal wellbeing.
We score highly in the National Student Survey
First for Teaching Quality Score Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023
- 100% Overall Satisfaction (NSS 2022)
- First for Teaching Quality Score (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
- First for Student Experience Score (Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023)
- Top for Satisfaction with Feedback (Guardian University Guide 2023)
These results reflect the commitment and passion of our lecturers and how skilled we are at making our subjects exciting and accessible to all our students. We pride ourselves on offering excellent, engaging teaching, and that’s echoed in the experience of our students: in the survey, 100% agreed that staff are good at explaining things and made the subject interesting (National Student Survey 2022).
The results also show that we work hard to help our students fulfil their potential and support them to aim high: 91% of students agreed that their course has challenged them to achieve their best (National Student Survey 2022).
Their feedback indicates that students in Theology and Religious Studies at Chester get high quality of teaching, academic support, library and IT resources, on a well-run course, in a community where their voice is heard. Come and join them!
Students and staff get to know each other quickly and easily
The department of Theology and Religious Studies is housed in its own building, complete with lecture rooms, a dedicated computer room, social space and kitchen and staff offices. Hollybank is a warm, friendly and welcoming environment in which students and staff come to know each other quickly. Having our own building means that our staff offices are located in the same place where many of our students work, socialise and where we teach our courses. We are an approachable department who purposefully seek to build strong professional relationships with our students.
Hollybank thus provides students with a ‘home’ in the University for their studies.This provision, rare in the UK, is one of the distinctive advantages of studying here.
