Featuring Clara & Emily, Theology & Religion at the University of Oxford
(Watch the full conversation on YouTube or listen on your preferred podcast platform.)

What is it like to study Theology & Religion in one of the world’s most academically demanding environments? Is it really as broad as people claim? Is it secretly designed to dismantle your faith? And what kind of student actually thrives in this degree?

In today’s episode, I explored these questions with Clara and Emily, two Oxford Theology & Religion students. They offered an honest and deeply insightful look at what the subject involves both academically and personally.

This article summarises the highlights of that conversation. If the subject interests you, I strongly encourage you to watch or listen to the full episode, where these ideas come alive in their own words.

One of the clearest themes running through our discussion is that Theology & Religion is a degree for students who want as broad an academic approach as possible.

Both guests stressed the degree’s extraordinary scope. As Clara put it:

“It’s one of those subjects that you can pick if you don’t want to box yourself in - you can do a lot with it.”

Emily echoed this sentiment, explaining why she chose it:

“I didn’t want to give up studying literature, history, art… Theology let me keep all of those things alive.”

This breadth isn’t scattered. It’s integrated. Students move between history, textual analysis, philosophy, languages, culture, and even film, often in the same week.

To really appreciate how wide-ranging the subject is, hearing them describe their modules and reading lists in the full episode is well worth your time.

Theology & Religion isn’t simply about studying religious traditions in isolation. It’s an attempt to understand the big, foundational questions that shape civilisations - the practical consequences of religious belief.

Clara summarised her current paper - “The Figure of Jesus Through the Centuries” - like this:

“We’re tracking how Jesus is characterised in the Gospels, how early writers were influenced by their communities… and how the figure of Jesus is relevant today in culture - even in films where he isn’t explicitly shown.”

Her questions include:

Meanwhile, Emily described her work on Hinduism:

“We’re looking at how people have read texts and integrated them into how society is ordered - law, gender, caste, everything. It’s about mapping behaviour over time.”

These descriptions highlight something important: Theology & Religion is not simply doctrine-study. It is history, culture, philosophy, and anthropology woven together through the lens of religion.

Students take:

Clara described the weekly rhythm:

“Most of my time is spent reading… you get a reading list, you do your reading, and then you present it in the tutorial.”

And on the transition from A-levels:

“You need a lot of self-discipline. No one’s forcing you to work - you have to put yourself in places where people are working.”

Her honesty will resonate with many applicants.

The academic freedom expands significantly.

Emily described the shift this way:

“In first year you’re told what to do. In second year, you choose how many lectures you go to, what papers you take, how to divide your week… it’s more responsibility but the first year prepares you for it.”

Students also begin their dissertation - a 12,000-word research project.

Emily noted the freedom (and the fear):

“You’re basically on your own - you make your own reading list. It’s scary but also exciting.”

This independence is a core part of the Oxford experience.

Both guests were candid about the tutorial system. It can be intimidating.

Emily admitted:

“It feels like you’re being questioned on things you only just looked at. It was terrifying at first.”

But that changes quickly:

“Over time I’ve grown to love them. I feel more confident expressing my opinion, taking criticism, and seeing ideas from different points of view.”

Clara emphasised participation:

“You’ll get more out of tutorials if you talk. Think aloud. Pick up on everything. You’ve been reading for hours - you have something to say.”

For applicants wondering whether tutorials are as intense as rumour suggests, their reflections in the full conversation are invaluable.

Clara, as a practising Christian, addressed a question many applicants quietly worry about: Will studying theology undermine my faith?

She said:

“People told me, ‘Be prepared not to be a Christian by the end of your degree’. But that’s absolutely not the case.”

Instead:

“Your tutors aren’t trying to rip your faith apart. They find the texts rich and interesting too. You just sometimes need to keep your academic study and your faith slightly separate - for your own sanity.”

She strongly recommended joining a Christian community (or equivalent for other religions) to maintain balance.

This part of the episode is especially reassuring - and I’d encourage anyone with this concern to watch it directly.

Contrary to stereotypes, graduates do not all become clergy.

Emily put it succinctly:

“It’s a good degree if you don’t know exactly what you want to do because the skills are so transferable.”

Students go into:

Clara hopes to go into the charity sector; Emily is still exploring her path.

Both students emphasised the same structure:

“Start with one central issue you’re interested in, then branch out. Read widely - not just stock texts.” - Clara

“Show progression: ‘This idea led me to this…’ Demonstrate curiosity.” - Emily

Crucially:

Emily’s advice:

“They’re not trying to test memory. They want to see how you think.”

Expect:

Clara’s tutor once asked her to apply Augustine’s theory of sin to Greek tragedy. This kind of intellectual flexibility is central.

If you want detailed tips on interview preparation, the episode goes into exceptional depth.

Clara described her experience in Oxford’s theatre scene:

“I was in Under Milk Wood - we even did a radio broadcast of it.”

She’s also active in her church community.

Emily highlighted Oxford’s social variety:

“There’s so much going on - plays, balls, societies. You can get involved creatively or academically or both.”

Their descriptions of wandering home after formals and balls in gowns are quintessentially Oxford - and well worth hearing in the episode.

“Find one thing you love about the subject - your anchor. Hold onto it in the hard weeks.”

“Don’t think you’re not the right kind of applicant. If the subject interests you, pursue it. You belong here.”

These two perspectives perfectly capture the degree’s spirit:
deep curiosity + intellectual openness.

Watch the episode on YouTube
Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

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If you know someone considering this degree - or if you’ve ever wondered what studying religion academically really involves - please share the episode with them.