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Studying Religious Studies in combination with English and American Literature offers you the opportunity to combine two complementary humanities subjects, as both literature and religion are mainstays of human cultural practice.
Overview
Religious Studies at Kent allows you to study religion and modern culture in dynamic and original ways. You study in a vibrant department, which offers a range of modules, from biblical to Asian traditions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam and Christianity, as well as cutting-edge methodology modules taught by scholars who are at the top of their field. These modules cover psychological, sociological, anthropological and philosophical methods.
English and American Literature at Kent is challenging, flexible, and wide-ranging. It covers both traditional areas (such as Shakespeare or Dickens) and newer fields such as American literature, creative writing, postcolonial literature and recent developments in literary theory.
So this joint honours combination allows you to compare and contrast themes and ideas of religiosity that are found in the literature you study, as well as appreciate the literary skills and techniques used in religious texts.
Independent rankings
Religious Studies at Kent was ranked 14th overall in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2017. In the National Student Survey 2015, 91% of Religious Studies students were satisfied with the quality of teaching on their course.
95% of English and Creative Writing students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of teaching according to The Guardian University Guide 2017.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
Religious Studies
You are usually taught in small groups, with most modules involving either two or three hours per week in class, plus individual consultations with teachers as well as sessions on computing and library skills.
Stage 1 modules are normally assessed by 100% coursework. At Stages 2 and 3, some modules are assessed by 100% coursework (such as essays), others by a combination of formal examination and coursework.
English and American Literature
Modules are taught by weekly seminars. Core modules include a weekly lecture, plus individual supervision is offered for the Long Essay. Assessment at Stage 1 is by a mixture of coursework and examination. Some modules may include an optional practical element.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- increase knowledge of religious ideas and institutions as found in a diversity of cultural settings both past and present
- explore and discuss religious ideas and institutions, through both texts and historical data as well as direct observation of the contemporary world
- develop critical understanding of a sympathetic insight into the diversity of religious life, both as it has shaped and has been shaped by, other factors within culture and history
- develop a range of generic and subject-specific skills in research, writing and communication a full range of available resources.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- the place, role and influence of religion, and religions, in human culture - particularly the culture of Europe
- the role and significance of religion within human experience
- the relationship between the study of religion and other branches of the humanities and social sciences
- the main approaches and methodologies characterising the critical study of religion, and its influences, as defined by the secular context of the University.
Intellectual skills
You gain the following intellectual abilities:
- evaluation of empirical data
- analysis and interpretation of relevant textual resources
- assessment of alternative theories and interpretations
- ability to construct and defend arguments and conclusions in a coherent manner.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following:
- sensitive and critical evaluation of religious data and religious texts within their proper historical and cultural contexts
- sympathetic appreciation of the ideas and practices of other groups and individuals
- ability to articulate the multiple connections between experiences, ideas, practices and institutions in the appreciation and understanding of religion and religions.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in the following:
- research and writing
- computing and IT
- effective formal and informal communication
- working creatively and flexibly, on your own or with others
- time management, especially under pressure
- performance evaluation.
Careers
Studying Religious Studies and English and American Literature you develop the key skills that graduate level employers expect. These include the ability to manage your time effectively and work to clear deadlines, to communicate clearly in writing and orally (including experience of doing public presentations), and to absorb ideas from a wide range of different sources, organise these into a meaningful pattern and develop your own critical discussion of them.
Recent graduates have gone into areas such as teaching, publishing, travel, advertising, personnel, diplomacy, social work, journalism, media, marketing and the legal profession, or on to further study for postgraduate qualifications.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | BBB including English Literature or English Language and Literature grade B |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | The university will consider applicants holding BTEC National Diploma and Extended National Diploma Qualifications (QCF; NQF;OCR) on a case by case basis please contact us via the enquiries tab for further advice on your individual circumstances. |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 15 points at HL, including HL English A1/A2/B at 5/6/6 OR English Literature A/English Language and Literature A (or Literature A/Language and Literature A of another country) at HL 5 or SL 6 and World Religions 5 at SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.