Careers with religious Studies
Studying religion helps you to understand the beliefs and traditions of different
people, and to learn about the things they feel are important in life. It also helps
you to think about your own beliefs. As a subject, religious studies develops many
skills, such as communication and analytical skills.
Religion is rarely out of the news. Understanding the beliefs, values and
motivations behind the stories is bound to be useful, whatever your career choice.
Taking religious studies (RS) will:
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give you knowledge about what other people believe and the sort of world we
live in
give you an understanding of what people mean when they say certain things
help you to evaluate different points of view
give you the opportunity to debate some of the big issues you will have to face
during the course of your own life.
At the same time, you will be:
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clarifying some of your own ideas and hopes for the future
learning to put across your own point of view
developing all kinds of skills and aptitudes including self-awareness, tolerance,
the ability to communicate and listen effectively and analytical skills.
If you think that RS is only for someone who wants to be a vicar, minister, nun,
monk, rabbi, imam or even an RS teacher, then think again! RS has a lot to offer
- perhaps more than you might think - in helping you prepare for many different
types of career. You don't have to be religious to enjoy RS either. It will make
you think about your life and the way you live it.
How does RS rate as a subject?
RS is an academic exam subject within humanities. As RS is part of the National
Curriculum, students have to study it at school; most take a GCSE (short course)
in the subject, equivalent to half a GCSE. RS is also a popular choice as a full
GCSE and/or AS/A level subject.
RS provides a good background for any career where understanding people is an
asset. Employers like to know that applicants have thought a bit about themselves
and their place in the world. They expect them to be able to work with a wide
range of people - often from different cultures - and to treat them all with
courtesy and respect. In helping you to develop such understanding and insights
about yourself, RS has a real part to play.
Jobs that link with RS
Whether you intend to study the subject at GCSE, A level or in higher education,
there is as wide a variety of career opportunities for those with an RS
qualification as for those with other arts and humanities subjects.
As well as openings in specialist religious work, your RS qualification will be useful
in many careers. Some of these, such as secondary teaching, journalism and
broadcasting, offer possibilities to specialise in religious affairs. Other work areas
use the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired through studying religion in a
more general way.
The following are just some of the occupational areas where you might use these
skills:
advertising
advisory work
architecture
the Armed Forces
broadcasting
careers guidance
Civil Service work
community work
counselling
environmental health
healthcare
hotel work
human resources/personnel work
journalism
law
librarianship
local government
marketing
medicine
nursing
police work
prison service work
probation service work
public relations
retailing
social work
teaching
youth work.
Other leaflets in this series describe these careers, together with their entry
routes, training and prospects.
Higher education opportunities
There is a wide variety of DipHE and degree courses relating to RS. You can take
RS itself, or you can combine it with a wide range of other subjects - from
computing to philosophy. RS can also be taken as a BA degree leading to Qualified
Teacher Status.
Theology or divinity courses concentrate on Christianity, while biblical studies
courses focus on the Bible. On courses that look at other cultures, such as
African studies or Oriental studies, you may also study the relevant religions. For
those interested in studying Islam, The Islamic College in London offers a degree
in Islamic studies (validated by Middlesex University).