Religious Studies (BA)
Explore how religion has shaped cultures, societies, politics, and history worldwide while building skills in research, communication, and critical thinking that are essential to many careers.
Why choose this program?
Religion and religious practices have shaped human history, culture, politics, art, and everyday life for thousands of years. In Religious Studies, you'll explore the world's religions through an academic lens while gaining a deeper understanding of people and societies across cultures.
*Religious Studies is the academic study of religion—not religious instruction.
Religious Studies is an academic program that examines how religions influence people, cultures, and societies around the world—both in the past and today. You'll study beliefs, rituals, philosophies, sacred texts, mythology, ethics, art, and social traditions across religions including Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and many others.
You'll learn through history, literature, archaeology, philosophy, and cultural analysis while developing strong skills in research, writing, communication, and critical thinking. These transferable skills prepare graduates for careers in education, public service, communications, law, community organizations, and many other fields in which cultural understanding and thoughtful analysis are central.
Careers
Graduates in Religious Studies develop cultural awareness, communication skills, research skills, and analytical skills that prepare them for careers in education, government, community organizations, communications, and many other sectors.
Graduates pursue careers in education, public service, policy, social work, communications, cultural organizations, and non-profit leadership. The program also provides excellent preparation for graduate studies and professional programs such as law.
What you will learn
Study religions from around the world while learning how beliefs, traditions, and cultures shape societies. You'll develop strong research, writing, communication, and critical thinking skills through an interdisciplinary approach.
Sample courses
- Death and the Afterlife
- Religions of Asia
- Christianity
- Islam
- Buddhism
- Judaism
- The Dead Sea Scrolls
- Ritual, Myth, and Music
- The Mahabharata
- Islamic Philosophy: al-Ghazali
Religious Studies combines approaches from history, archaeology, philosophy, languages, literature, anthropology, and art history. Students may explore ancient texts, archaeological evidence, fieldwork, interviews, and cultural traditions while developing a broad understanding of religious life around the world. The program also offers specialized minors in Abrahamic Religions and Middle East and South Asian Studies.
Get paid work experience
Dal Arts students can apply for the FASS Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pilot Program, which offers a one-semester paid work term where you put what you learn in the classroom into practice, build career-ready skills and gain experience in the workplace.
Learn beyond the classroom
Arts students can take their learning beyond the classroom through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences’ experiential learning program.
Participate in internships, community-based projects, research opportunities and career-focused experiences that help you apply what you learn, explore your interests and prepare for your future.
Customize your degree
- Major
- Double Major
- Combined Honours
- Minor
Explore religions from around the world while focusing on areas such as:
- Judaism
- Christianity
- Islam
- Hinduism
- Buddhism
- Philosophy and Ethics
- Mythology
- Religious History
Students can also combine Religious Studies with disciplines such as History, Classics, or Philosophy.
Discover how religions have shaped people and societies throughout history while developing the research, communication, and cultural understanding needed for a wide range of careers and future studies.
Admission requirements
Minimum admission requirements
To be considered for admission to this program, you must meet minimum academic criteria:
- Completion of secondary school (Grade 12)
- Achievement of the minimum average for your program of choice.
- Completion of Grade 12 English (or equivalent course).
Admission to many Dalhousie programs is competitive. This means that meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Program-specific admission requirements
Minimum overall average: 70%
Academic English 12
Four additional academic subjects
