A three-year degree, V600
Oxford says students gain an understanding of the intellectual underpinning of religious traditions and of their social and cultural contexts.
Undergraduate · Oxford Theology and Religion
Oxford Theology and Religion: texts, traditions and a language
Oxford's Theology and Religion is a three-year degree that studies religious traditions through their texts, history and thought, and begins with four first-year papers including a language such as Biblical Hebrew, Sanskrit or Qur'anic Arabic. It sets no required subjects, asks for one piece of written work and uses an online interview. The decision is whether the critical study of religion, rather than philosophy or a language, is what you want.
Official information · last verified for 2027 entry
What Oxford asks for in Theology and Religion
Taken from Oxford's Theology and 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; Oxford's 2028-entry requirements and dates are awaiting publication.
AAA, or IB 38 with 666
The A-level requirement is AAA. The IB requirement is 38 points including core points, with 666 at Higher Level.
No required subjects
An essay-writing subject can be helpful, but Oxford says it is not required for admission.
One piece of written work
All candidates submit one piece composed in English, not exceeding 2,000 words.
Seven papers from about 40
In the later terms students select seven papers from about 40 options.
Official sources
Read on 31 October 2026 on Oxford's Theology and Religion course page, which describes 2027 entry. Oxford's Faculty of Theology and Religion pages, the full option list, fees, the contextual-offer details and the 2028-entry values were not read and are not stated.
The degree
The critical study of religion
Oxford says the course asks students to become something of a historian, a philosopher and a textual critic. The first year takes four papers, Religion and religions, an introduction to the study of the Bible, The figure of Jesus through the centuries and one of several languages, and the later terms offer about 40 options from which students choose seven.
Is it the right degree?
Theology and Religion against Philosophy and Theology
Both are Oxford courses with theology in the title.
Choose Theology and Religion if
you want the critical, historical and textual study of religion, with a language.
Choose Philosophy and Theology if
you want philosophical argument alongside theology. Avandy's Oxford Philosophy and Theology guide covers it.
Choose Religion and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies if
your interest is a specific religious tradition and its region. Avandy's guide to it covers that.
Entry rules
AAA, no required subject, one piece of work
A-level applicants need AAA; IB applicants need 38 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level. A subject involving essay writing can help but is not required. There is no written test, but all candidates submit one piece of work of up to 2,000 words. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed online. This page states no scores.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Oxford's.
Do you want to read primary religious texts critically?
The first-year papers centre on texts and a language.
Which language appeals?
Options include Biblical Hebrew, Church Latin, New Testament Greek, Qur'anic Arabic, Pali and Sanskrit.
Which piece of work would you submit?
It must show clear reasoning and be written in English.
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 subject expectations, the test and written-work position and the interview arrangements: last verified for 2027 entry
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Oxford has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
The UCAS deadline, interview dates and any test or written-work arrangements: awaiting publication for 2028 entry
Check Oxford's course page for the 2028-entry values when they appear.
What to do now
Confirm the subject expectations, read the course structure and plan your preparation around it.
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 here means course-fit advice, subject mentoring and ethical interview practice; Avandy gives no scores or probabilities and does not supply interview questions or write submitted work. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
What does Oxford Theology and Religion require?
AAA at A level, or IB 38 points including core points with 666 at Higher Level, in Oxford's wording for 2027 entry.
Are particular subjects required?
No. An essay-writing subject can be helpful but is not required for admission.
Is there an admissions test?
No. Oxford says a written test is not needed.
Do I submit written work?
Yes: one piece composed in English, not exceeding 2,000 words.
Will I study a language?
Yes. The first year includes one of several languages, such as Biblical Hebrew or Sanskrit.
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 Theology and Religion
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their essay-writing subjects, their interest in texts and traditions and whether theology and religion or philosophy suits them better, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.