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What to do with a degree in theology orreligious studiesAn understanding of religions and social beliefs can see graduates make an impact in roles wheremulticulturalism exists

Graham SnowdonSaturday 10 April 2010 00.06 BST

You don't need divine intervention to see how, for better or for worse, religion today plays amajor part in national and global events.

Despite the fact UK church attendances have been dwindling for years, the vast majority ofthe world's population believes in one deity or another, and there has arguably never been amore important time to understand how, and why, people feel inspired to behave in thename of a higher being.

"Martin Luther King was a graduate of theology," points out Margaret Holbrough, careersadviser at Graduate Prospects. "While his impact on the civil rights movement in the US isunlikely to be matched, the knowledge gained by modern-day religious studies graduates plus their understanding of the impact dierent religious and social beliefs can have in allenvironments make them ideal candidates for a whole range of professions, especiallywhere a multicultural dimension exists."

What skills have I gained?Religious studies graduates should understand the perspectives of all the major religionsand, as such, are often great empathisers, an increasingly valuable attribute in today'sworld.

Besides the usual degree disciplines of clear communication and research, employers willbe interested in the way you can debate and contextualise dierent standpoints andcrucially, that you know how to do so without oending others.

You should also be sensitive to how time and translation can alter the meanings of religioustexts and messages.

Theology students focus on Christianity in depth with a more passing overview of otherreligions but will also possess many of the same types of skills.

What careers can I pursue?The most obvious careers for religious studies graduates are as ministers across all religions

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TopicsGraduate careersWork & careersReligious studies and theology

and beliefs, as well as research and teaching at every level.

Currently, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is oering 6,000bursaries for graduates interested in training to teach religious studies at secondary level.

As our data shows, though, graduates move into a diverse range of occupations, particularlyin development work, community-based roles, aspects of welfare, social care andcounselling, plus local and central government policymaking and administrativedepartments.

"In the wider employment market, many commercial organisations welcome them inhuman resources, or general management roles," Holbrough says. "Equally, in the legalprofession, broadcasting and journalism, library and information management, employersdraw on their knowledge and expertise."

Postgraduate study?Further study is a common choice. Around one in ve religious studies or theologygraduates go on to ministerial training, with a high proportion going into teacher training orbusiness and management conversion courses. Specialist postgraduate courses coveringscripture study and the history of religion are also well subscribed.

Data supplied by the Higher Education Careers Services Unit and Graduate Prospects