Academic Information

What’s it like to study theology?

People come to Queen’s for a variety of reasons, but a unifying feature is that they come to study theology. All of our qualifications and awards are linked to the study of theology; conversely, we do not offer any awards in other disciplines – though, of course, we want to consider how theology engages with with all aspects of life, and filters into areas such as literature, music or poetry.

Under the broad “umbrella” of theology come a variety of theological sub-disciplines, and these feature within the curricula at Queen’s. Students typically encounter topic areas such as mission studies or liturgy, biblical studies or doctrine; equally, they find themselves grappling with the way in which context shapes theological enquiry – for example, in terms of concepts such as gender or ethnicity.

What’s it like to study theology at Queen’s?

At Queen’s, students learn, pray and grow together in a lively, inclusive, international and ecumenical community, supported by one of the largest, widest-ranging staff teams of any UK theological college. This means that studying theology at Queen’s:

• is challenging and engaging, because theology is never abstract or simply about ideas;
• is rigorous and demanding, because daring to speak of God requires our best thinking and our most honest awareness of our limitations;
• is stimulating and transformative as we open ourselves to the wisdom that comes from each other and those who have gone before us in the faith.

Learning takes place in a variety of levels – undergraduate, postgraduate and research – and in a way that brings together students from a variety of theological backgrounds and contexts. Module cohorts are diverse, and commonly include ministerial candidates, trainee Readers in the Church of England and independent lay students. Discussion between different views and traditions is encouraged, as is making connections between academic studies, ministerial formation and practice.

Academic modules are delivered in multiple ways – via lectures, seminars and small groups, through visits and placements, in classrooms and online. Classes vary in size, but tutors will ensure that opportunity for participation and interaction is maximised. Writing assignments and receiving feedback are also part of the learning process; the opportunity to learn with and from others, and to subject one’s own assumptions and beliefs to critical scrutiny, is a precious gift and core to theological study at Queen’s.