theology at Cambridge

Hi, I'm a current first year student at Cambridge studying Theology!
When I was preparing for my interviews, I looked at the reading list on the Divinity Faculty website and chose a few books from there which I thought sounded of particular interest. If you have any specific interests, then have a look what books/essays you can find related to those e.g. I read a book of essays on feminist interpretation of the Bible because I'm interested in religion and feminism.
For something a bit different to just reading books, the Radio 4 In Our Time podcasts are good introduction to some interesting topics within Theology and are only 45 minutes to an hour long. Again, it is a good idea to be guided by your personal interests as this will help you write your personal statement.
Other than the above, I kept up to date with news stories related to Theology and learned the Biblical Hebrew alphabet in preparation for the language paper (they do not expect any prior knowledge of the language, so don't worry too much about this- I was on a gap year so had lots of free time!)
I did my interviews in person, so had a different experience to anyone who interviewed this year. I had two interviews at the college I applied to, one subject based and one more general, and then another subject based interview at a different college. I also did an admissions assessment on the same day.
Hope this helps- please feel free to get in touch if you have any more questions and best of luck!

Hello! I am applying for theology at Cambridge this October. I’m not sure what college to apply to?! I quite like trinity but don’t know how competitive it would be for theology?! Please help!

It's such a tiny course that I wouldn't worry about this as might for other subjects. Things also really fluctuate, it's not uncommon for a college not to take someone for theology for a year or two every so often if the quality of the applicants isn't great. The only thing with Trinity is depends how much of an arts balance you want they are normally STEM heavy (and maths - 40/200 students a year are literally just Maths). Also not v high state school compared to most colleges, if you look at the stuff on the stats page it takes you to a tableau option which is detailed - Trinity always have a massive difference in applicants and offers (like. 70% who apply are state but they barely make 60% offers to state), in case that's your school type just interesting to know imo

Yes I think I’d actually prefer a smaller college because then there’s more mixing between undergrads and year groups. I’m thing Sidney Sussex or St Catherine’s. Are these good? Any cons I should know about? Also are you an undergrad, or just a Cambridge enthusiast?! I’m Tom and I’m a prospective theology undergrad in year 13

Alumni! Both of those are nice sized colleges, and all the rest but I'd pick catz for facilities and accommodation for sure. It's a little less central than Sidney but there's a chunk of the Sidney accommodation that comes onto the central streets and well, at night, you'll have people exiting the clubs as well as some... Interesting characters about (such is the nature of living the middle of a city centre). Catz are just out of that but still close. Though part of the accommodations are I think more out toward Sidgwick site, which would suit for Theology in any case.

Hello, thank you for that. Catz is certainly up there in my choices. As of now I’m actually thinking Jesus; it appears to be a medium sized college with a director of studies for theology with somewhat similar interests to mine. However, part of me still thinks Catz because apparently applying to a smaller college increases chances of getting in? Perhaps you could confirm? What college and course did you do?! Thanks again

Nah college size doesn't affect your Cambridge chances so just pick the one you like/vibe with. I did Law at Murray Edwards, graduated a couple of years ago but friends from all over through societies etc. Jesus also nice, like catz has had recent developments of some facilities so pretty nice

Cool. So there’s not dodgy reputations or stereotypes at Jesus? Also, as a state school student (nevertheless still a straight white male), is there any colleges that actively seek state school students that I might have a high chance of getting into?

Hello! I am applying for theology at Cambridge this October. I’m not sure what college to apply to?! I quite like trinity but don’t know how competitive it would be for theology?! Please help!

Hi Tom, I’m applying for the same course at Cambridge! So worried about the interview - what do you plan to talk about? I plan to just talk about my general research…

Hello! Presumably you’ve just applied? If so, which college?
In terms of interviews, I think I’m going to focus on really looking in depth at my personal statement and reading more detail of what I wrote on it, becoming super knowledgeable on that stuff? Wbu?
Also, out of interest, what are your main theological interests/things you wrote on your personal statement?
And if you don’t mind me asking, do you go to a state or private school?

Hi,
I have also applied to read theology at Cambridge. I decided on Clare as a college. Have any of you received an email from your college's about submitting written work? I still haven't heard anything. The Cambridge application itself seems to have been just a generic form, and mentions nothing about submitting essays.

Hi Anthony, yes, I've submitted two pieces of written work. Have you?

Yes, pretty much as soon as I posted this I received the submission application from the college.

Ah good good. My names Tom and it’s good to meet you! I go to a state school and take French History and Religious Studies A level. Out of interest, what are main theological interests? What A levels do you do? And also, do you go to a private/state school?

I went to a private school and then I was home educated. At A level I took History, Religious studies, and Classical Civilisation. My main theological interests centre around polemics from the reign of King James II, and generally 17th and 18th century theology by people like William Sherlock. I am also quite interested in political theology, and the concept of providence and its relationship to divine retribution. In addition to this I have an interest in the impact of religious thought in Russia today and how it has impacted political analysis as seen in the case of Aleksandr Dugin.

I went to a private school and then I was home educated. At A level I took History, Religious studies, and Classical Civilisation. My main theological interests centre around polemics from the reign of King James II, and generally 17th and 18th century theology by people like William Sherlock. I am also quite interested in political theology, and the concept of providence and its relationship to divine retribution. In addition to this I have an interest in the impact of religious thought in Russia today and how it has impacted political analysis as seen in the case of Aleksandr Dugin.

Reading posts like this is why i think I like the Cambridge course so much because we’re interested in such different things but still wanting to do the same course. Fingers crossed we hear about interviews soon since the MyCambridge form deadline was today

Hello! Another Theology applicant I presume? What college did you apply for, what A Levels did you take and what are your main interests!
I’m Tom, applied to Caius, and take History French and Religios Studies A Levels.

Hello! Another Theology applicant I presume? What college did you apply for, what A Levels did you take and what are your main interests!
I’m Tom, applied to Caius, and take History French and Religios Studies A Levels.