Dr Marieke Dhont
Director of Studies, Fellow, Tutor
Why choose Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion at Girton?
Girton’s long tradition of independent thinking and openness to nature makes it a great place to study TRPR. There is a small but lively group of students, who are active within a community of students of all faiths and none. Studying TRPR, you can examine essential human questions and the cultural and historical significance of religion in history and the world. The College ethos offers a relaxed and supportive environment, combined with academic rigour.
Girton has a diverse and supportive community of Fellows. The Director of Studies, Dr Marieke Dhont, is a Septuagint scholar with a wide range of interests, including Second Temple Judaism, the origins of Early Christianity, and Hellenistic Literature. Additional assistance is offered by the Chaplain, Rev'd Dr Tim Boniface, whose interests lie in Christian theology. Other Fellows with active interests in the subject include Dr Hilary Marlow, an expert in the environmental ethics of Jewish and Christian scriptures, and Rev’d Dr Charlie Bączyk-Bell, a forensic psychiatrist and public theologian who studies the intersection between religion and medical practice.
- No. of students admitted per year: 2
- Subject requirements: No specific subjects are required. Subjects such as Religious Studies, History, English and modern languages can be helpful, but so can any subjects that encourage clear, logical thinking and careful analysis of evidence. Students with a science background also study Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion and do very well.
- Minimum offer level:
- A level: A*AA
- IB: 41-42 points, with 776 at Higher Level
- Assessment arrangements: There is no written assessment for this subject at Girton College.
- Written work: If invited to interview, applicants are asked to submit two pieces of marked written work, which may be discussed during the interview.
- Interview arrangements: Usually there will be two interviews of about 25 minutes each. Applicants will be given a text to read right before the interview and asked to discuss this text with the interviewers.
The course in Theology, Religion and Philosophy of Religion (TRPR) offers multiple academic perspectives on the study of faith, including careful reading of ancient texts, philosophical analysis, and historical as well as social scientific approaches, across the full range of world religions. You can also delve into connections between religion and literature, science, ethics, and politics. This multidisciplinary range enables you to explore a range of interests and build broad skills.
Students pursuing a degree in TRPR as well as the Faculty staff hold a diverse range of beliefs. While some engage critically with their studies from within a faith tradition, others approach the subject from an atheist or agnostic perspective.
The degree course is flexible, allowing students to pursue their particular interests even from the first year. In the first year, students take five papers. One scriptural language (Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, or Sanskrit) and one biblical paper (either Old or New Testament) are compulsory, and three other options can be chosen from Biblical Studies, Theology, Philosophy and Ethics, Sociology of Religion, and World Religions. Similar topics can be chosen in second and third years, with each year introducing further specialisms and allowing the option to focus on one or more areas. For those wishing to explore a topic in more depth, the option of a dissertation is available in the third and final year.
Teaching is provided through lectures, seminars, and small-group supervisions. Assessment depends on the paper, and is either by assessed essays or by a written examination at the end of the year.
Our Theology, Religion, and Philosophy of Religion (TRPR) undergraduate course has consistently secured its position amongst the world’s top academic programs, and multiple rankings recognized the fantastic career prospects of our graduates. Students have moved on to a range of careers. Some have gone on to further studies both here and elsewhere, but most have entered other types of employment, including teaching, banking, charity work, journalism, and even working as a submariner.
TRPR is a highly interdisciplinary career and teaches you many desirable skills, such as time management and working to deadlines, research, using a critical approach, problem solving, communication, taking initiative, and so much more. More information and a wide range of alumni profiles can be found on the Faculty website.
