Religion, Theology & Spirituality and History

RELIGION, THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUALITY

‘If you want a cathedral, we’ve got one to spare!’ runs a traditional Liverpool song.  This city has been shaped by its religious past – it has seen over two centuries of religious riots, you'll find the oldest mosque in England here, and the landscape is dominated by two amazing cathedrals. Liverpool now is home to vibrant new religious communities from across the world. All that makes Liverpool Hope the perfect place to study the spirituality, wisdom, and mysticism of the major religious traditions like Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism. But our city with its art and music scenes also tells us that the human quest for meaning and purpose goes beyond the traditional ‘religions.’ People today are often seeking a ‘spiritual’ identity – but not necessarily a ‘religious’ one.

Liverpool Hope is the perfect place to study all this. Our university is rooted in the attempts by Catholics and protestants to mend their differences in the city, and our teaching team is made up of people from many different cultures and christian traditions.  offers you the opportunity to look at the big questions that people ask today – bringing together both traditional religions and contemporary perspectives. You will gain insights into ancient wisdom, rituals, and sacred texts that influence millions today. Plus, you’ll actively participate in critical debates about human existence in a world facing numerous crises. You will tackle ethical and theological questions concerning the beginning and end of life, sexuality, gender, evil, suffering, and contemporary issues like radicalisation, ecology, violence, inter-religious dialogue, secularisation, post-secularism, health, wellbeing, and near-death experiences. You will examine how our beliefs about our place in the universe impact how we treat our planet and all life forms.

The city will be a constant backdrop to our studies. It is home today to new and changing religious traditions. We will visit and take a close look at places of worship – both the traditional and the strikingly new. And we will also explore the other ways that people find meaning, hope and community here – looking at the ways they actively create and use different types of ritual performance and expression to shape their spiritual identity. In this city, that of course includes art, music and football! 

People who study this programme will benefit from the experience of meeting people who make sense of their lives in very different ways. The course challenges its students to broaden the way they think of other people and their beliefs. So, it provides excellent professional grounding for the kinds of careers that involve understanding and working with people, especially in contexts where complex ethical decisions are needed – for example, in community planning and support, education, politics, and the civil service.

HISTORY

Studying History helps you see how people and societies lived in the past. These experiences shape our present and future. Our History degree lets you explore many periods, from the Early Modern era to today. You’ll cover key themes like nationalism, imperialism, colonisation, decolonisation, gender, and identity. The course encourages you to engage with and challenge interpretations, as history is always changing.

Liverpool’s rich cultural connections make it a great place to study history. Your study visits include local historic sites like Childwall from the Domesday Book. You’ll also explore attractions such as the Museum of Liverpool, the International Slavery Museum, and the World Museum. You’ll also visit sites like the Elizabethan Hardwick Hall.

Our History course is taught in a supportive environment alongside Politics and International Relations. You'll learn from recognized scholars who are active researchers and published authors. You’ll engage with a variety of historical evidence, including rare books from our Special Collections.

The courseoffers an optional placement year. This lets you apply your research and communication skills in a real-world setting. Close ties with National Museums Liverpool provide chances for final-year dissertations linked to museum projects, giving you valuable hands-on experience. Whatever topic you choose for your dissertation, it will show the practical and analytical skills gained in your History degree, which employers highly value.