This study is a part of a larger longitudinal research project in which it is attempted to understand the special features of the study processes which are related to the relatively high drop-out rates in the Faculty of Theology in the University of Helsinki. In this preliminary study, 135 first year students of theology completed a questionnaire in which motives for starting to study in the Faculty of Theology, certainty of the career choice and motivational approaches to studying were surveyed. The questionnaire was developed on the basis of earlier Finnish studies on motives to study theology (Niemela 1999, Vermasvuori 1997), certainty of career choice (e.g. Nevgi 1998) and motivational approaches to studying (e.g. Nurmi et al. 1995, Nevgi 1998). The items designed to measure certainty of career choice were applied to the context of studying theology. In the analysis, the motives for starting to study in the faculty of theology are compared to certainty of the career choice and motivational approaches to studying.