Global Religions and Politics

BA Hons

  • UCAS code LV01
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 3 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • Joint 11th for graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2025)

  • Study abroad and placement opportunities

  • Discover the latest specialist knowledge from our experts

Following significant investment in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion (with 8 new academic staff), we have developed and expanded our range of undergraduate courses. We are excited to launch a new suite of Global Religions programmes. As a result, we will be discontinuing the Politics, Religion and Values programmes after current students and offer-holders have completed their course.

Why study Global Religions at Lancaster?

  • Discover a new take on studying religion that includes world, political and social perspectives
  • Join a pioneering department - the first Religious Studies department in the UK and the first to include world religions, we continue to innovate with fresh new takes on the study of religion
  • Gain an in-depth understanding of how religious practices, values and identities influence political issues and thought in a globalised world
  • Tailor your degree from a diverse module section with an international outlook: spanning Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and more, and politics from around the globe
  • Attain a sophisticated, interdisciplinary understanding of global issues by studying in a department which combines politics, philosophy and religion – the only one of its kind in the UK
  • Benefit from the opportunity to gain practical experience on an impressive internship with our in-house Richardson Institute for Peace Studies
  • Use your critical thinking skills and global perspective to pursue an exciting career in diplomacy, politics and education

From the politics of gender in Islam to kingship, power and the Goddess in India. Explore the fascinating ways in which religion and politics intersect to shape our world, under the guidance of our expert researchers. Use your in-depth knowledge of global religions and politics to access a meaningful and fulfilling career.

Understand the values and debates driving the future of our world

You’ll explore major political issues through knowledge of demographically significant religions: such as decolonisation, gender and intersectionality.

You will have flexibility to build your studies from modules aligned with your passions. From gender to development, from Latin America to the Middle East, and from Buddhism to Christianity. Our experts cover a diverse range of research specialisms, and will support you to develop your understanding in a very wide range of areas of religion and politics.

And because you’ll study in a department which crosses the boundaries of politics, philosophy and religion, you’ll benefit from teaching which draws together expertise from across these fields. Our teaching is founded on a clear view of the connections between these disciplines, so you will develop an integrated perspective on global issues: such as the reformulations of Shari’a in contemporary Islam, and the spread of religious messages in South and South East Asia.

Gaining the tools for success

In your final year, you can choose to research and write a dissertation. You’ll receive guidance from expert tutors at every step of the way, from selecting your research topic to submitting your completed project. You may wish to pursue a topic which brings together your knowledge of religion and politics.

You will also have the opportunity to apply for an internship with the Richardson Institute for Peace Studies, based in our department. This could see you participate in a research project with an NGO, a faith-based organisation, or a think tank. An ideal way to build up your experience and your CV.

Careers

By understanding religion and politics as global issues, you will develop a particular international perspective that is highly relevant in an increasingly globalised world. The critical analysis and communication skills you will build from debating and analysing religious and political issues will stand you in good stead to apply for top graduate jobs.

Graduates of this programme are likely to be interested in a range of rewarding careers:

  • Civil and Diplomatic Services
  • International charities and NGOs
  • Teaching and education
  • Media, journalism and public relations
  • Politics and government
  • Consultancy

Many graduates from our department also choose to go onto further study, taking a Master’s degree or PhD.

Find out more about the support the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion offers to improve your employability, and learn about the careers of some of our alumni.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. You may need to have qualifications in relevant subjects. In some cases we may also ask you to attend an interview or submit a portfolio. You must also meet our English language requirements.

Find more about these qualifications and others not shown here

Learn about how we will assess your application

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Contact Admissions

If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will get back to you.

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,535 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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