Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology BA (Hons)
University of Manchester
Student rating
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( 4.1) View reviews

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Different course options
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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

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Location

Main Site

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Study mode

Full Time

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Start date

SEP-25

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Duration

3 Years

Course info

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Qualification

Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) - BA (Hons)

Location

Main Site

Study mode

Full Time

Start date

SEP-25

Duration

3 Years

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Subjects

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Theology & Religious Studies
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Anthropology
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Exam type

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A level
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Scottish Higher
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Scottish Advanced Higher
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Access to HE Diploma
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AS
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Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal
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Extended Project
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International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme
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OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma
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OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
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OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
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Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015)
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Course info

Our BA Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology course explores how religion is inextricably bound up with ways of being human.Religion is here to stay, and there is a critical need to understand how and why it forms a central part of human cultures.You will explore themes such as ritual, myth, sacred space and iconography as critical features of human societies, both past and present.You will study topics such as Judaism, the problem of evil, the Bible, social theory, power, and ...Read more

Our BA Comparative Religion and Social Anthropology course explores how religion is inextricably bound up with ways of being human.Religion is here to stay, and there is a critical need to understand how and why it forms a central part of human cultures.You will explore themes such as ritual, myth, sacred space and iconography as critical features of human societies, both past and present.You will study topics such as Judaism, the problem of evil, the Bible, social theory, power, and ethnography.Your first year of study will cover research methods and key issues in Religion and Anthropology.You will go on to focus on issues related to religion as culture, such as the role played by gender, politics and narrative representation, as well as the developing relationship between anthropology and religion.In your final year, you will get the opportunity to focus further on specific themes and issues, including writing an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your own choice. This course produces graduates who have a clear capacity to analyse and understand the many complex roles played by religion in human societies. These are skills of high value in today's globalised world.

WUSCA ranking:
WUSCA student ranking
These are the 2024 rankings, based on ratings given by past and current students.
63/101
CUG Subject Ranking
CUG Subject Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
12th
CUG Ranking
CUG Ranking
Source: Complete University Guide 2025
22nd
Anthropology
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 89 = 11% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
11%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Anthropology graduate salary at this uni
£19,000
UK Anthropology graduate salary
£20,000
Theology and Religious Studies
Drop-out rate
Drop-out rate
The percentage of students who didn't finish the course.
Calculated by 100% - (% of students continuing course + % of students completed course)
100 - 90 = 10% Drop-out rate Source: UNISTATS, 2019
10%
Employment rate
Employment rate
The percentage of students in full-time work 6 months after finishing their course.
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
90%
Average salary
Average salary
Source: UNISTATS, 2019
Theology and Religious Studies graduate salary at this uni
£16,000
UK Theology and Religious Studies graduate salary
£20,000
What students say
T
Tamare
02 Dec 24

Best: The location lots of things to do wash to get into town and explore Worst: study spaces get booked up quickly..Read more

A
Alex
29 Feb 24

Diverse modules, easy..Read more

Modules

Modules (Year 1)
Modules (Year 2)
Modules (Year 3)
IDP Connect

Entry requirements

Exam type

A level

A level:

ABB Grades / Points required

Scottish Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Scottish Advanced Higher:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Access to HE Diploma:

D:30,M:15 Grades / Points required

AS:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal:

D3,M2,M2 Grades / Points required

Extended Project:

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme:

34 Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma:

DM Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate:

D Grades / Points required

OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma:

DD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DD Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016):

D Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

DDM Grades / Points required

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016):

D Grades / Points required

Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (first teaching September 2015):

Not currently available, please contact university for up to date information.

Grades ABB.Typical Contextual Offer: BBB for applicants who meet our contextual offer criteria.

We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject.English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

We normally require grades AABBB in Scottish Highers. In addition, one Scottish Advanced Higher is normally required at Grade B. Where a pre-requisite subject is required at A-level, then this Advanced Higher should be in that subject.English Language and Mathematics not taken at Higher/Advanced Higher must have been achieved at SCQF level 5 (minimum National 5 grade C / Intermediate 2 grade C / Standard Grade Credit level grade 3).If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) to which you plan to apply.

We require a QAA-recognised Access to HE Diploma (a minimum of 60 credits overall with at least 45 at Level 3), with merit or distinction in a subject area relevant to the chosen course.The specific course requirements are a minimum of 30 credits with a Distinction grade, plus 15 credits with a Merit grade, all in a Humanities-related subject. Where possible, 15 of the Distinction credits should be in the pre-requisite subject required for A-levels.Applicants to Languages programmes are also required to have a minimum of GCSE grade B/6 in a modern language or in English Language.

AS level results are not considered as part of the standard admissions process at The University of Manchester.

We consider applicants offering Pre-U Principal Subjects, or a mix of Pre-U and A Level subjects, provided a minimum of three distinct subjects overall is taken.Candidates taking Pre-U principal subjects in conjunction with A levels are expected to achieve combinations of D3, M2, M2 in the Pre-U and ABB at A level, in three distinct subjects.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the Academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

The University recognises the benefits of the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) and the opportunities it provides for applicants to develop independent study and research skills. Although the Extended Project will not be included in the conditions of your offer, we strongly encourage you to provide information about the EPQ in your personal statement and at interview. A number of our academic Schools may also choose to take your performance in the EPQ into account should places be available in August for applicants who narrowly miss the entry grades for their chosen course.

34 points overall. 6,5,5 in Higher Level subjects.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Diploma with grades Distinction, Merit, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level at grade A in an essay-based subject such as English Literature, History or Politics .

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Extended Certificate (CTEC) : we consider the Technical Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Extended Certificate with grade Distinction, plus two additional Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels at grades BB, one of which must be in an essay-based subject such as English or History.

Cambridge Level 3 Technical Foundation Diploma (CTEC): we consider the Technical Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to the chosen course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full Technical Foundation Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus an additional level 3 qualification such as an A Level/A Level at min. Grade B an essay-based subject such as English or History, PLUS an EPQ or AS Level at grade B.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma: we consider the National Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, plus one A-level at Grade B in an essay-based subject.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate: we consider the National Extended Certificate for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Certificate with a Distinction grade, PLUS two A-levels at Grades BB (one of these A-levels should be in an essay-based subject).

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma: we consider the National Extended Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Extended Diploma with grades Distinction, Distinction, Merit.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma: we consider the National Foundation Diploma for entry, preferably in a subject relevant to this course. Entry requirements are based on achievement of the full National Foundation Diploma with a Distinction grade, PLUS one A-level at Grade B in in an essay-based subject, PLUS an EPQ or AS at Grade B.

The University welcomes and recognises the value of the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma/Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate and usually requires two A Levels or equivalent to be included within this.The minimum grade required will normally be the same as the lowest grade listed in the A Level entry requirements.If you require further clarification about the acceptability of this qualification please contact the academic School(s) you plan to apply to.

Popular A-level subjects

Anthropology

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

English Literature
38%
History
34%
Religious Studies & Theology
28%
Psychology
25%
Sociology
24%
HESA
Theology and Religious Studies

Top 5 A-levels taken by students who study this subject at uni.

Religious Studies & Theology
75%
English Literature
39%
History
26%
Psychology
20%
Sociology
14%
HESA

Latest reviews

Latest Anthropology reviews

Anthropology
Anthropology
Religious Studies
T
Tamare
02 Dec 24
Social Anthropology BSocSc (Hons)
Best: The location lots of things to do wash to get into town and explore Worst: study spaces get booked up quickly...
Read more
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University of Manchester
University Recruitment And Adm Oxford Road Manchester M13 9PL United Kingdom
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