Faith leaders and academics fear theology is disappearing from universities

There are fears for the longer term of theology and spiritual studies because the variety of UK universities offering the themes continues to say no.

A broad spectrum of religion leaders, academics and public figures has expressed concern that the themes may disappear altogether from universities unless motion is taken now to safeguard them.

An open letter compiled by the Theos think thank notes that there are only 21 higher education institutions in England and Wales offering undergraduate degrees in theology and spiritual studies in comparison with 90 in history, 90 in music, and 101 in sociology.

The letter warns that cutting the topic will narrow student alternative and deprive society of graduates equipped to deal with ethical challenges in an increasingly polarised world.

“This impacts on student alternative, but it surely also has hostile effects for society,” the letter reads.

“Theology plays a vital role within the mental, ethical and cultural development of communities. It equips individuals with the tools to have interaction more thoughtfully with global cultures and traditions and to have interaction deeply with complex sacred texts.

“It provides space for interfaith dialogue in an environment where people from different backgrounds (including the non–religious, because theology and spiritual studies is certainly not the preserve of believers), and creates room for college students to explore problems with belief together. 

“In an increasingly polarised world, it helps us understand other points of view.”

Elsewhere, the letter highlights an analogous decline within the teaching of Religious Education (RE). It says that there are “too few qualified entrants to RE teaching”, noting that around half of RE lessons are taught by teachers who specialize in one other subject, while only a fifth of recent entrants to RE teacher training within the last academic yr had a level in theology and spiritual studies. 

The letter concludes, “The future looks increasingly complex, diverse and pluralistic; local, national and global changes require us to wrestle with moral, ethical and spiritual challenges and concepts well.

“We owe it to the residents of tomorrow to equip them with the tools to navigate this future and live together higher. We can consider few higher tools inside our education system than theology and spiritual studies.” 

Signatories of the letter include Theos director Chine McDonald, former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, Christian Aid CEO Patrick Watt, Executive Chair of the Religion Media Centre Michael Wakelin, and Free Churches Moderator Rev Dr Tessa Henry–Robinson.

The publication of the letter coincided with the arrival of A level results this week. 

Latest figures from the Religious Education Council (REC) and National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE) showed that the number of scholars taking Religious Studies (RS) at A level in England and Wales remained stable at 15,005, a slight fall from just 1.3% on the previous yr. In Wales the number of scholars taking A level RS actually grew by 5% to 737.

REC and NATRE note that challenges remain around teacher recruitment and schools failing to supply the topic at A level, resulting in more students being unable to take it.

REC Chair Sarah Lane Cawte said: “In the world of spiritual education, the massive story of the last 20 years is the success and growth of the A level.

“Despite the topic’s lack of support, an increasing number of students are turning to a tutorial study of the idea systems which have shaped the world’s history and folks’s lives.”

She continued, “Yet sadly many students who need to pursue the topic at A level cannot, with the topic still lacking the resourcing and a spotlight to fulfill this growing demand. 

“The government’s curriculum and assessment review is a possibility to stop the neglect, and be sure that students who need to take it could actually accomplish that.”

NATRE Chair Katie Freeman added: “Specialist RE teachers are an infinite asset to young people, their schools and communities, opening up a wealth of opportunity from careers to latest mental experiences.

“But the truth is that this demand for specialist RE teachers isn’t being met across the country. We urgently need a national plan to be sure that young individuals who need to take RE can, in order that they’ll flourish in work, life and their ongoing education.”