It's not a three-year retreat. Moss Garde, final-year theology student at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare, is adamant about the academic rigours of the subject.

"I thought theology was the study of the Bible but it's much more diverse. We do Islam, Buddhism, morality, pornography," he says, adding quickly "that is, the ethics of pornography". He is taking sociology and theology to degree level and is looking towards a variety of careers, possibly marketing or politics or, maybe, more study in the form of a postgrad in sociology.

The college has some 180 students taking its degree in theology and arts, available through the CAO, and 25 doing pure theology (a direct-entry option). There are also just under 80 student priests doing the bachelor of divinity degree. Garde says: "There's a brilliant atmosphere on campus, a great friendliness among the classes".

St Patrick's has close links with the National University of Maynooth, sharing the same campus. Garde says that for social and sports purposes there is no divide.

Ken Fennelly is in third year of the pure theology degree. He has a particular interest in church history and hopes to do a master's in the area. After that, he may explore the careers possibilities in the publishing area.

Amy Fleming did English and theology in her degree, with an eye on teaching at second level. However, after she graduated she did some subbing and says "I didn't feel I wanted to go straight back into the school system. I felt I was going full circle." So, she began a master's in moral theology and hopes to continue to PhD with a job lecturing at third level in her sights. "In fact, I want Fr Corbett's job," she says with a grin.

Reverend Professor Tom Corbett is dean of the theology faculty. He says both primary degrees - theology and the combined arts and theology courses - give graduates a wide range of career options, with the most popular being teaching. So, students may go on to do a higher diploma in education, to qualify them as second-level teachers, or to an 18-month graduate diploma which qualifies them to teach in primary schools.

Students can also opt for further study, perhaps in the form of a postgraduate diploma in Christian communications or a master's in theology or a higher diploma in pastoral studies. Theology and arts students can also continue to postgraduate level with their arts subject.

In the theology and arts degree, first-year students take theology and two arts subjects from the following list: philosophy, modern history, Greek, Greek for beginners, English, maths, anthropology, nua-Ghaeilge, biology (first year only), economics, Greek and Roman civilisation, sociology, music, Spanish, French, Introduction to Irish studies (first year only), Latin and mathematical physics. In second year, they drop one of the arts subjects.

Corbett says the most popular subject combinations taken to degree level are theology and history, sociology, Irish, music or English.

Second-level students who wish to study pure theology or theology with arts do not need any prior knowledge of the subject. Corbett says theology consists of the study of the mystery of God. "In practical terms this means the study of books and texts. You need to have a capacity to listen, to learn, to understand, and to criticise . . . the competencies required are intellectual and personal. Your own faith commitment doesn't have to be strong to pass the degree."

Although St Patrick's College is associated in many people's minds with the training of priests, you do not have to be Catholic to study theology there. CORBETT says theology covers a wide range of live issues from politics to business ethics to communications to issues such as truth and justice. The principal subjects, which are taken throughout the three years of the theology degree, are dogmatic theology, moral theology and scripture. Other areas of study include philosophy, church history, mission studies and canon law.

Application for the theology and arts degree is through the CAO, with a second-round cut-off of 355 points this year. You must apply directly for the theology degree. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. School-leavers require a minimum of two higher-level C3s and four ordinary-level D3s in the Leaving Certificate and candidates are interviewed. Applications are also accepted from mature students for both degrees.

Famous past students of theology in Maynooth include Nobel prize winner John Hume, former Government minister Michael O'Kennedy and tenor Finbarr Wright.

Contact points Admissions officer, Theology Office, Pontifical University, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, Co Kildare. Tel: (01) 708 4772 Website: www.may.ie/pontifical