Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (with Foundation) Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Your Arts and Humanities Foundation Year will help prepare you for the [BA Religion, Philosophy and Ethics](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/courses/UG/Religion-Philosophy-and-Ethics-BA-Jt-Hons-U6UREPYE.html "Prospectus page for Religion, Philosophy and Ethics BA"). This course encourages you to think deeply about the foundations of our beliefs and ethics. You’ll explore how religious thought and philosophy address these fundamental questions.

First, through a range of engaging modules spanning the arts and humanities, you will undertake a preparatory Foundation Year. Our curriculum is carefully designed, with [each of the six modules](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/Foundation-year-module-in-a-minute.html "Video overviews of Foundation modules") giving you the best start to your progression degree. You will develop key skills such as communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and digital capability. You'll be able to tailor your assessment topics to explore aspects of your progression degree with elements of interdisciplinarity and real-world applicability.

Your dedicated Foundation Year tutors will support you with building these skills, and the confidence for undergraduate study.

Our foundation programme is a preparatory year designed for talented UK students with an interest in arts and humanities subjects, but whose personal circumstances make achieving our usual entry requirements difficult.

During the foundation year you will be a full member of the university, with all the opportunities this offers, including the same accommodation options as direct entry students.

Our [interfaith chaplaincy](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/chaplaincy/index.aspx "Chaplaincy homepage") also supports you to explore your faith and others’ faith in a supportive setting on campus.

As you work through your year, you may develop different ideas about your progression degree. That’s OK. Your tutors will guide you through your choices, which includes joint honours courses offered within the Faculty of Arts. For now, apply for the named pathway which most interests you. 

Why choose this course?

Course highlights

* Automatic progression to your degree upon successful completion of the foundation year – there’s no need to reapply.

* Get support from dedicated [foundation year tutors](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/your-foundation-arts-staff.html "Profiles of Foundation staff").

* You can change your mind – this Foundation Year allows progression to a [wide range of Arts and Humanities degrees](https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/studywithus/ugstudy/articles/explore-more-articles/art/arts-and-humanities-foundation-year.html "Options for undergraduate degrees").

Proven results

* We’re ranked top 20 in the UK for philosophy and top 10 for theology and religious studies (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026 and Complete University Guide 2026).

* The average starting salary for philosophy and theology and religious studies undergraduates within 15 months of graduation was £28,500 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2022/23).