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Studies & Degrees in Christian Studies

Christian studies is the academic study of Christianity: its scriptures, its history, its teachings and its place in society and culture. Students read the Old and New Testaments, follow the history of the churches, study theology and ethics, and look at how Christianity relates to other religions and to public life. Many programmes add the languages of the sources, mainly Greek, Hebrew and Latin.

The name covers two kinds of course, and the difference matters when choosing. Some are taught from within the faith and prepare students for work in churches and ministry. Others treat Christianity as a subject of academic enquiry, open to students of any belief or none, and sit alongside religious studies and theology. Read each school's own description to see which approach it takes.

Qualifications and levels

  • Certificates and diplomas. Short courses for people who want a grounding in scripture or a specific theme. The University of Madras, for example, offers certificate courses that are open after higher secondary school, and four postgraduate diplomas.
  • Bachelor's degree. Three years in England and four in the United States is typical. The BA (Hons) in Religion and Theology at York St John University takes three years full time or six years part time. The BA in Christian Studies at Grand Canyon University has 120 credits.
  • Master's degree. One to two years. York St John University's MA in Religion takes one year full time and asks for a 2:2 honours degree. The University of Madras offers an M.A. in Christian Studies and an M.A. in Christian Scriptures, open to holders of a bachelor's degree in any subject.
  • Research degrees. An M.Phil or PhD for those who want to teach or research at university level.

Ordination and church ministry have their own requirements, which each denomination sets. A degree in Christian studies does not by itself qualify someone as a minister or priest. If you plan to use the degree in another country, ask the school what recognition the qualification has.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 13 active schools for Christian studies. Five are in the United States, two in the United Kingdom and two in Germany, and there is one each in Australia, Canada, India and Japan. Teaching is mostly in English; the German programmes are taught in German. Examples of the different approaches:

  • Grand Canyon University (Phoenix, United States). Its College of Theology presents the BA in Christian Studies as preparation for ministry. Students choose an emphasis: apologetics, biblical studies, global ministry, philosophy, worship leadership or youth ministry. The degree can be taken on campus or online. The university states that it has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission since 1968.
  • Universität Duisburg-Essen (Germany). Christliche Studien is a two-subject bachelor's and master's programme, with a Catholic and a Protestant route, aimed at students who do not intend to enter church service or teach religion, but want to bring a Christian profile to work in culture and society, for instance in ethical debates or charitable and cultural institutions. Bachelor's students must show basic knowledge of two of the three languages Latin, Greek and Hebrew, which can be acquired during the degree.
  • York St John University (York, United Kingdom). The BA (Hons) in Religion and Theology examines the connections between religion and contested issues in modern life. The minimum entry requirement is 104 UCAS Tariff points. Tuition fees for 2026 entry are £9,790 per year for UK students and £12,100 per year for international students.
  • University of Madras (Chennai, India). The Department of Christian Studies, started in 1984 as an endowment chair, studies Christianity in relation to the other religions of India and to the country's social, cultural and political contexts.
  • Nanzan University (Nagoya, Japan). A Catholic university whose Faculty of Humanities has a Department of Christian Studies.

Careers

Graduates of ministry-oriented programmes often work for churches and Christian organisations: Grand Canyon University mentions church leadership, educational programmes and work with young people and families. Graduates of academic programmes use the degree more broadly, in teaching, charities and social organisations, publishing and media, cultural institutions and public debate on ethics. Teaching religion in schools normally requires a separate teaching qualification, and the rules differ by country.

There are no reliable international employment statistics for this subject. Ask each school what its recent graduates do.

Frequently asked questions

Is Christian studies the same as theology?

They overlap. Theology concentrates on doctrine and its interpretation; Christian studies usually also covers history, scripture, ethics and the role of Christianity in society. The exact content depends on the school.

Do I have to be a Christian to study it?

That depends on the school. Faith-based programmes are built around ministry and Christian formation, while academic programmes study Christianity as a subject. Check the admission pages of the school you are interested in.

Do I need Greek, Hebrew or Latin?

Some programmes require them. At the Universität Duisburg-Essen, bachelor's students must show basic knowledge of two of them before the final thesis and can learn them during the degree.

Can I study Christian studies online?

Some schools offer it. Grand Canyon University states that its BA in Christian Studies is available through online courses as well as on campus.