Help please Theology Degree

[Deni99]

Hi, DD has been offered places at Aberdeen or Cardiff Uni for Theology in clearing today. Can anyone advise on either please? Because of the circumstances she has been to neither city but both courses look ok and she feels lucky to be offered anything. We are of course appealing her grades but would welcome any help as neither has much knowledge. Thank you.

Aberdeen is quite a traditional, slightly old-fashioned department, focusing on Christian theology. Its research quality is higher-rated. There are a lot of American conservative Christian students there, though mostly postgraduates rather than undergraduates.

Cardiff’s research in Theology and Religious Studies is rated less highly than Aberdeen’s, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the teaching of undergraduates is poor. It’s a more diverse department and the focus is more on religious studies rather than theology as such.

Obviously the big difference is that Aberdeen will be 4 years and will be more flexible /broader as it’s the Scottish system and Cardiff 3 years

In terms of cities, both are beautiful. Aberdeen is very traditional, Victorian gothic architecture and Cardiff has a more modern vibe.

Namechanger.

DD went to Cardiff to do a Theology degree and had a wonderful time. The location is great - it is a buzzing capital city but it is small enough that everything is in walking distance. She loved her degree and got on well with the department (but it was a few years ago so things may have changed). It's a respected RedBrick, Russell Group, full spread of academic departments including medical. Halls were OK, found digs in walking distance in years 2&3 with little problem. Cost of living was OK; casual jobs were to be had. Lots of University societies, social life in city centre.
General thumbs up from her.

Thanks so much for the responses. Very helpful! We are in the south east and Cardiff seems the more obvious choice in terms of travel, accommodation etc and she has friends there who are happy. She was originally looking to go to Glasgow but was rejected this morning. I cannot advise her apart from looking at all the info on line and as you know it is all subjective and I spend a miserable freezing week in Aberdeen as an 11Yr old! We just don’t have an opportunity to visit to get a feel for it.

Cardiff's weather is much better than Aberdeen's.

Aberdeen's economy is very much mixed up with the oil industry. If Oil sneezes, Aberdeen catches a cold.

Cardiff is an excellent city to be a student in.

X-post about the weather!

Travel to Cardiff will be much easier, a hop down the M4.

I went to Cardiff and absolutely LOVED it. I recommend it all to everyone!

Thanks so much cyfnewdenw, that’s so encouraging re your DD and the weather is definitely better. DD is just concerned that she doesn’t know enough re Aberdeen and wanted it give the offer good consideration and neither of us know enough re the course and reputation.

Ifigoup thank you for your help anything else we should know?

[Cardiff] is a more diverse department and the focus is more on religious studies rather than theology as such.
This is what DD wanted. Comparative religion, not bible study. Lots of modules to choose from.

@Deni99 I know people in both departments - they’re both great, just different vibes. As cities, Aberdeen is stately and majestic, but can be a bit bleak in winter; Cardiff has a younger, cooler feel. Lots of great culture and sport in both places.

If your daughter was originally looking at Glasgow then in terms of “feel”, Cardiff is probably closer: Glasgow is strong in biblical studies (but from a modern perspective) as well as e.g. Islam, and Cardiff covers more of a range of traditions. For solid, bread-and-butter Christian theology (with a philosophical and systematic approach rather than a sociological one), Aberdeen’s the place.

As a theology PhD student I have heard more out of Aberdeen than Cardiff which speaks to a more active research department, perhaps in Christian theology. I would get her to look in more detail at the courses and work out which modules are more appealing. Theology can be really broad, does she like philosophy, contemporary religions, ancient religions, biblical studies, sociology etc etc which does she like from what is offered? Also she might like to check whether either require you to learn Greek or Hebrew and what she thinks about that. Hope that's helpful x

Many thanks for all your help! Really was appreciated at the end of a pretty stressful day. Cardiff it is!

Good luck to her. I’m sure she’ll love it there-it’s a great city.

Cardiff it is!
Of course it is. Good choice!
Get her one of these.

Good luck to your DD! My sister did theology at Cardiff (many years ago) and loved it. Cardiff is a great city.

Congrats for your DD OP. She will love it and the uni are really pulling out the stops to make students safe and teaching accessible. I say that as a semi non biased observer! (I'm not employed there don't worry).

Great news! I hope she loves it there.

I was a pg in Cardiff and loved it. The city has really come up in the world, lots of street closures, outside eating, great shopping centre ... and the sea and the mountains in easy reach too. Enjoy it!