A major chosen after arrival
Yale says every student begins undeclared and has until the end of sophomore year to choose from over 80 majors. The pages read describe no separate application to Religious Studies.
Undergraduate · Yale College
Yale Religious Studies: a five-course core, a junior seminar and a two-term senior essay
Yale College admits students without a declared major, and Religious Studies is a major they can choose once enrolled. Yale's catalogue describes critical analysis of religious traditions and systems of value, a department known for undergraduate research, and a twelve-course major with a five-course core, a junior seminar and a two-term senior essay. This guide makes no claim of a separate application to Religious Studies.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Yale says about Yale Religious Studies
Taken from the Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027 entry for Religious Studies and Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages, read on 1 November 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Yale's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A department known for undergraduate research
The catalogue says the Department is particularly known for its promotion of scholarly research by undergraduates.
Twelve term courses
A five-course core, a junior seminar, a two-term senior essay and four electives.
Languages matter for graduate work
Majors planning graduate work are strongly encouraged to study the languages they will need.
The SAT or ACT is required
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test; international applicants meet the same requirements.
Official sources
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Majors & Academic Programsadmissions.yale.edu
- Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027: Religious Studiescatalog.yale.edu
- Yale Undergraduate Admissions: Standardized Testingadmissions.yale.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Yale College Programs of Study 2026–2027 entry for Religious Studies and Yale Undergraduate Admissions' Majors, Standardized Testing and International pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Yale's department website, the course listings behind each course code, deadlines and financial aid were not read, and the admissions pages do not mention A-levels or the IB by name and are not stated.
The major
What the catalogue says the major is
Yale's catalogue says Religious Studies explores and critically analyses religious traditions and systems of value, through history and meaning of rituals, texts, and theological and social categories, with multiple disciplinary lenses. The major requires twelve term courses: a core of five courses in the Department, including an introductory course and a breadth course, a junior seminar, a two-term senior essay and four electives that can include language study. The senior essay counts as two courses and is supervised by a faculty adviser.
Is it the right major?
Religious Studies beside Philosophy and History
Yale describes these as separate majors, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Religious Studies fits if
you want religion studied through texts, languages, history and thought, ending in a senior essay.
Philosophy fits if
you want conceptual argument. Avandy's Yale Philosophy guide covers it.
History fits if
you want a regional or global historical programme. Avandy's Yale History guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Yale College application and the SAT or ACT
Yale requires first-year applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores and has no preference between them. International applicants complete the same application with the same requirements, and the admissions pages read do not mention A-levels or the IB by name. The major is chosen after admission, not applied for separately. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Yale's.
Which tradition or text draws you?
The core is built around one area of expertise leading to the senior essay.
Are you ready to learn languages?
The electives can include language study, and the catalogue encourages it for graduate work.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Yale's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Yale's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 1 November 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Yale has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Yale for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Religious Studies entry in Yale's Programs of Study and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Yale College 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 is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Yale College. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Yale Religious Studies?
The pages read describe admission to Yale College. Students begin undeclared and choose a major by the end of sophomore year.
How many courses does the Religious Studies major need?
Twelve term courses, including a five-course core, a junior seminar, a two-term senior essay and four electives.
Is there a senior essay?
Yes. It counts as two courses, is taken in both terms of the senior year and is supervised by a faculty adviser in the student's core area.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Yes. Yale's testing policy requires scores from either test.
Does Yale name A-levels or the IB on these pages?
No. The admissions pages read do not mention them by name.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Yale's wording with no entry-year label. Check Yale's pages again when Yale publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Yale Religious Studies
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their reading and writing, the traditions and languages that interest them, and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.