Philosophy, history, texts and social science
Cambridge says the course addresses fundamental questions through a range of religious traditions and philosophical standpoints, covering Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism in depth.
Undergraduate · Cambridge TRPR
Cambridge Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion: argument across traditions
Cambridge's Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion course is built for students who may be meeting the study of religion for the first time. It asks for A*AA or 41 to 42 IB points but names no required subject, has no admissions assessment, and requires two pieces of written work. The decision is whether you want to study religion historically, textually, philosophically and sociologically, with a scriptural language from scratch, and whether the writing you can submit shows the critical argument the course rewards.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Cambridge asks for in TRPR
Taken from Cambridge's Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion course page and read on 31 October 2026. For a normal 2028-entry application, made in 2027, every requirement below is last verified for the previous cycle and may change; Cambridge's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
A*AA, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level
The minimum offer level is A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. Colleges may ask for more.
No specific subjects are required
Cambridge does not ask for any specific subject. It recommends an essay-based subject, Religious Studies, English, History and languages for a strong application.
No admissions assessment
Cambridge says there is no admissions assessment for this course.
Two pieces of written work
You submit two pieces of written work. Choose work that shows argument and analysis.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Cambridge's Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion course page, which describes 2027 entry. The Faculty of Divinity pages, individual College requirements, the interview arrangements, fees and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The course
Designed for newcomers, with a scriptural language from the start
In the first year students take five papers: a biblical-studies paper, one scriptural language learnt from the beginning (Hebrew, New Testament Greek, Qur'anic Arabic or Sanskrit) and three of six options such as Philosophy of Religion, Ethics, Understanding Contemporary Religion and Studying World Religions. In the second year they choose four papers from around seventeen, from Theology and Literature to Introduction to Islam and The Letters of Paul; in the third year they choose four from a wide range, or replace one with a 10,000-word dissertation. Cambridge says teaching is by lectures, classes and supervisions, with typically up to nine hours of classes and lectures a week, and assessment by coursework or a three-hour examination for each paper.
Theology or philosophy
Where this course sits between Theology, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Cambridge also offers a separate Philosophy course; Avandy has a guide to it. This page is for students who want religion as the subject matter.
Choose TRPR if
you want to study religions and their texts, history and social role alongside philosophical analysis, and you are happy to learn a scriptural language.
Choose Philosophy if
your interest is argument itself across metaphysics, ethics and logic, with religion as one area among many. Cambridge says students can take the first-year Meaning paper from Philosophy within TRPR.
Compare with Oxford
Oxford's Philosophy and Theology is a different degree with its own entry rules; compare by course, not by name.
Entry rules
No subject rules, no assessment, and writing that carries weight
The minimum A-level offer is A*AA and the minimum IB offer is 41 to 42 points with 776 at Higher Level; Cambridge lists the requirements for entry in the cycle described or deferred entry a year later. No specific subject is required. With no admissions assessment, the two pieces of written work and the rest of the application carry the evidence of how you think. Cambridge says 64% of the recent A-level students it analysed achieved at least A*A*A, 99% had studied at least one recommended subject and 84% took Religious Studies; that is historical information and not a requirement.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Cambridge's.
Are you interested in religion as a subject of argument?
The course asks for critical and comparative thinking about faith traditions, not belief.
Are you ready to learn a scriptural language?
Every first-year student studies one from scratch, from a short list.
Do you have two pieces of writing that argue a case?
With no admissions assessment, your written work and school record carry more weight. Choose pieces you can discuss.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Applying for 2028 entry means applying in 2027, under rules Cambridge has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Cambridge published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Cambridge has not yet published it.
Offer levels, the absence of required subjects and of an assessment, and the two pieces of written work: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Cambridge has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline and interview dates: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Cambridge's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Choose two pieces of argumentative writing and read widely on religion, ethics and philosophy.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Cambridge or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here means course-fit advice, philosophy and religion mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Cambridge TRPR entry requirements?
A*AA at A level, or 41 to 42 IB points with 776 at Higher Level. This is Cambridge's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I need Religious Studies?
No. Cambridge does not ask for any specific subject, though it recommends an essay-based subject such as Religious Studies, English or History.
Is there an admissions assessment?
No. Cambridge says there is no admissions assessment for this course.
What written work is needed?
Two pieces of written work.
Do I need to know a scriptural language?
No. Cambridge says no prior knowledge is expected for the scriptural language studied from the beginning in the first year.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Cambridge's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Cambridge publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Cambridge TRPR
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-based subjects, the two pieces of written work and their interest in religion, philosophy or languages, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.