AAA, or 39 IB points with 666 at Higher Level
The A-level requirement is AAA. The IB requirement is 39 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level.
Undergraduate · Oxford Philosophy and Theology
Oxford Philosophy and Theology: developing academic argument
Oxford's Philosophy and Theology degree asks no one to have studied either subject. It asks for one piece of writing that can be on any subject, a statement that gives academic reasons for the combination, and an interview in which you think aloud about a religious, philosophical or ethical question or a brief text. The decision is whether you want to assess the intellectual claims of religion as well as philosophical ones. Oxford's wording below describes 2027 entry; nothing here is a confirmed 2028 requirement.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in Philosophy and Theology
Taken from Oxford's Philosophy and Theology 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; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
No required subject
No subject is required or recommended. A subject involving essay writing can be helpful, but this is not required for admission.
No test; one piece of writing on any subject
You do not need to take a written test. All candidates submit one piece of writing, not exceeding 2,000 words, which may be on any subject and need not be Philosophy, Theology or Religion.
An online interview that starts from a question or text
Shortlisted candidates are invited to at least one online interview and may be asked to consider a religious, philosophical or ethical question or a brief text. No prior subject knowledge is expected.
Philosophy and Theology in flexible proportions
Years two and three comprise eight papers, split five and three in either direction or four and four. All students study philosophy of religion.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's Philosophy and Theology course page, which describes 2027 entry. The UCAS deadline, the written-work submission deadline, interview dates, admissions statistics, fees and the two Faculties' own selection criteria and written-work FAQ pages were not read and are not stated.
The course
Two faculties, one question about religion's intellectual claims
Oxford says the degree brings together some of the most important approaches to understanding and assessing the intellectual claims of religion. It is taught by the Faculty of Philosophy, which Oxford describes as the largest in the UK, and the Faculty of Theology and Religion. The first year has four papers: general philosophy, logic and moral philosophy, the figure of Jesus through the centuries and one of a list that ranges from an introduction to the study of the Bible and religion and religions to languages such as Biblical Hebrew, Church Latin, New Testament Greek, Qur'anic Arabic, Pali and Sanskrit. In years two and three students choose how to weight the two subjects, and all study philosophy of religion.
Choosing between courses
Philosophy and Theology, or a different philosophy degree?
Several Oxford and Cambridge degrees have philosophy at their core. The differences are in what you study alongside it.
Choose Philosophy and Theology if
you want to examine the claims of religious traditions and the arguments about them, with texts, history and theology as well as logic and ethics.
Look at PPE if
your interest is philosophy with politics and economics. That is a separate Oxford course with its own guide.
Look at Physics and Philosophy if
you want philosophy of science with serious physics. It requires Mathematics, Physics and the ESAT, and has its own guide.
Cambridge Philosophy is different
Cambridge sets its own requirements and structure. Do not transfer rules between the two.
Reading the offer
AAA, and a subject that makes you write
The grades are AAA, or 39 IB points with 666 at Higher Level. No subject is required, though Oxford says a subject involving essay writing can be helpful. Tutors consider the whole application, looking for a consistently excellent academic record, and Oxford asks that the personal statement focus on your academic reasons for wishing to study Philosophy and Theology and that references comment primarily on academic performance.
Written work
One piece, on any subject, that shows how you think
The written work is unusually open. You submit one piece in English, composed as part of a current or recent course of study, not exceeding 2,000 words (shorter is fine). It can be on any subject, not necessarily Philosophy, Theology or Religion, as long as it is your own work. Oxford suggests a mock A-level essay written under examination conditions or a homework essay from an IB course. The aim is to show that you can think clearly and reason coherently, structure an argument, write clearly and show independence of thought. It is not usually necessary to write something especially for the application, but tutors accept a piece written for submission if you have nothing suitable.
The interview
A question or a short text, and your reasoning about it
In interviews, Oxford says tutors look for interest in the proposed fields of study, a critical and analytical approach to abstract questions and the ability to defend a viewpoint by reasoned argument. You may be asked to consider a religious, philosophical or ethical question or to study a brief text. Whatever the subject, interviewers are interested in how you think and how you approach questions, and students are not expected to have prior subject knowledge.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Can you take a claim seriously and still test it?
The degree asks you to assess religious claims, not to adopt or reject them in advance. Practise stating a view you disagree with fairly.
Do you want to read old and difficult texts?
Theology includes biblical studies and historical texts, and first-year choices include ancient languages. Consider whether that draws you.
Is your reason academic?
Oxford asks for academic reasons in the personal statement. Be clear what questions you want to answer.
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 Oxford has not yet published for that cycle. Each item below carries one of two labels. Last verified for 2027 entry means Oxford published it for the previous cycle and it may change. Awaiting publication for 2028 entry means Oxford has not yet published it.
Grades, the absence of a required subject, the single piece of writing and the absence of a test: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Application deadline, written-work submission deadline, interview dates and any change to selection arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's Philosophy and Theology course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Choose a piece of your own writing that shows clear argument, read widely in philosophy and religion, and practise defending a view aloud.
Support
Independent support with course choice and preparation
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the University of Oxford 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 with reading, argument and interview practice does not extend to writing, editing or rewriting any submitted piece, which must be the applicant's own. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What are the Oxford Philosophy and Theology entry requirements?
AAA at A level, or 39 IB points including core points with 666 at Higher Level, with no required subject. This is Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Do I need to have studied Philosophy or Religious Studies?
No. Oxford lists no required or recommended subject and says students are not expected to have prior subject knowledge.
What written work do I submit?
One piece in English, composed as part of a current or recent course of study, not exceeding 2,000 words, on any subject, and your own work.
Is there an admissions test?
No. Oxford's page says no written test is part of the application.
What might the interview involve?
Oxford says you may be asked to consider a religious, philosophical or ethical question or to study a brief text.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Oxford's wording for the 2027 application cycle. Check the course page again when Oxford publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Oxford Philosophy and Theology
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their reading, their essay work and their academic reasons for the joint degree, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.