Undergraduate Courses
The School of Religions and Theology opens up for undergraduate students the opportunity to engage with persistent religious and philosophical questions, to examine contemporary social, political and ethical issues, and to explore global cultures and history, ancient, medieval, and modern. In the course of their studies with us, students gain broad experience of an impressive range of intellectual skills, which lead to a wide range of careers. For a list of careers followed by our graduates, as well as their comments about their studies, click here.
To download essay cover sheets, please click here (pdf 22.8 KB). All students are required to attach these to their submitted work.
Degree Options
Students may study entirely within the School of Religions and Theology (Single Honors), or they may combine the study of religion with that of another arts subject (Two-Subject Moderatorship). The three degree options are these:
- Single Honors Degree
In the Single Honors programme students take all their courses in the School of Religions and Theology. In the first year, they follow courses that introduce them to the various fields of study, while after the first year they are free to choose courses that fit their own particular areas of interest. - Two-Subject Moderatorship Degree (Religions and Theology)
In this programme, students take half of their courses in the School of Religions and Theology, together with whatever courses are required by the other department in which they have chosen to study. For those other arts subjects with which the study of religion can be combined, see the CAO Handbook. - Two-Subject Moderatorship Degree (Near Eastern and Jewish Studies)
This is the only undergraduate programme in Near Eastern and Jewish Studies (including Islamic Studies) offered by an Irish university. In this programme, students take half of their courses in the School of Religions and Theology, together with whatever courses are required by the other department in which they have chosen to study. For those other arts subjects with which the study of religion can be combined, see the CAO Handbook.
Undergraduate Courses
At Trinity College, the four years of an undergraduate degree are known as the Junior Freshman (or first) year, the Senior Freshman (or second) year, the Junior Sophister (or third) year, and Senior Sophister (or fourth) year. Descriptions of the courses offered in each year may be found here:
For course outlines and Departmental regulations, you are welcome to Download Student Handbook 2009-10 (PDF 673 KB).
Below you may find further information on broadening your experience,the academic year, undergraduate prizes, mature students, overseas students, and how to apply.
Broadening your experience
Trinity's Broad Curriculum programme allows students in the School of Religions and Theology to take some courses offered by other departments (Law, Philosophy, Film Studies and Geography). Students may also choose to study a modern language as part of their degree. Others have been given the opportunity to acquire experience of museum work in the School's Weingreen Museum.
Our School has an exchange programme, which enables students to spend an academic year (or term) at the University of Leuven in Belgium, the University of Glasgow in Scotland, or Heythrop College in London.
Undergraduate Prizes
Thanks to a large number of generous benefactions, the School of Religions and Theology is in the happy position of being able to offer several annual prizes for outstanding work by undergraduates in each of the four years of their degree.
Mature Students
Every year the School welcomes mature students into its courses, valuing the high level of commitment that they bring to their studies and the life-experience that they bring into the classroom. In order to ease their re-entry into education — as well as to ease school-leavers' upgrading to university — we stage a series of tutorials in Basic Academic Skills early in the first term of their first year of study.
Overseas Students
Situated as it is in the very heart of Ireland's elegant and lively capital city, and within easy and cheap reach of the UK and the European continent, Trinity College annually attracts undergraduates from Britain, Europe, and the USA, who come here to learn and expand their cultural horizons in the environment of an international student body. Some come for a semester, some for a year, and some stay to complete the four-year degree. Every year the School of Religions and Theology is pleased to be one of those departments in which overseas students choose to study.
How to Apply
How you apply will depend on whether you are a school leaver, a mature student, or a visiting student. It will also depend on whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen. For further information, contact the Admissions Office.
Contact: jwelch@tcd.ie | Last updated: Sep 28 2009 | Back to top