BD Divinity

Year 1

You will choose courses from a range offered in the subject areas of:

• biblical studies
• the history of Christianity
• theology and ethics

If you are training for ordained ministry in the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church or other denominations you may need to take certain courses as part of your training.

Year 2

As in Year 1, you will choose courses from a range offered in the subject areas listed below. In addition, you will also have the option to take a course from any of those offered at this level in the school.

Subject areas:

• biblical studies
• the history of Christianity
• theology and ethics

If you are training for ordained ministry in the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church or other denominations you may need to take certain courses as part of your training.

Year 3

In Years 3 and 4, you will choose from a range of advanced-level courses offered in the subject areas of:

• biblical studies
• the history of Christianity
• theology and ethics

If you are training for ordained ministry in the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church or other denominations you may need to take certain courses as part of your training.

Year 4

You will continue to take advanced-level courses.

You will also write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, with the one-to-one supervision of an academic in the school.

Programme structure

Find out more about the compulsory and optional courses in this degree programme.

To give you an idea of what you will study on this programme, we publish the latest available information. However, please note this may not be for your year of entry, but for a different academic year.

Programme structure (2024/25)

Our facilities

Your teaching will mostly be at New College in the centre of Edinburgh. This city landmark has its own:

• historic library
• study space
• hall
• garden

New College Library holds one of the largest theology and religious studies collections in the UK. Its special collections include:

• historical archives
• manuscripts
• printed books and objects

Current collections support the teaching and research activities of the School of Divinity in:

• biblical studies
• the history of Christianity
• religious studies
• theology and ethics
• world Christianity

The collections continue to develop in new and evolving areas such as science and religion, Christian-Muslim relations, Buddhist and Jewish studies, and religion and literature.

Many other study and student support facilities are only a short walk away in George Square, including the University's Main Library.

Take a virtual tour

You can take a closer look at the School of Divinity on the University's Virtual Visit site and explore our facilities and campus.

Take a virtual tour of the School of Divinity

Study abroad

You will have a range of opportunities to spend time abroad. For shorter periods, these include summer programmes and working abroad.

During Year 3, you will have the chance to study abroad in exchange for up to a year at a wide selection of leading global universities. These include two institutions the School of Divinity has ongoing relationships with:

• Radboud University Nijmegen
• Dartmouth College

Going abroad expands your horizons and is great fun. It also offers academic and career benefits.

Please note that if you are undertaking this programme of study as a candidate for ministry, you would need the approval of your Church authority to study abroad.

What are my options for going abroad?

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a combination of:

• lectures
• tutorials
• seminars
• digital learning

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, including:

• examinations
• coursework
• participation in seminars
• presentation of your work
• an honours dissertation

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers in a variety of settings, including:

• the ministry
• chaplaincy
• the creative arts
• teaching
• counselling
• the voluntary sector
• management and administration
• finance
• the armed forces
• government

Many of our students go on to study for postgraduate qualifications, including masters degrees and doctorates.

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5 or AABB/ABBBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

• SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6. BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
• A Levels: ABB.
• IB: 34 points with 655 at HL.

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

• SQA: Highers: no specific Higher subjects required. National 5s: English at C.
• A Levels: no specific A Level subjects required. GCSEs: English at C or 4.
• IB: HL: no specific subjects required. SL: English at 5.

Find out more about entry requirements

International applicants

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Entry requirements by country

International Foundation Programme

If you are an international student and your school qualifications are not accepted for direct entry to the University you may be eligible for admission to this degree programme through our International Foundation Programme.

International Foundation Programme

Mature applicants

We welcome applications from mature students and accept a range of qualifications.

Mature applicant qualifications

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

SQA, GCSE and IB

For SQA, GCSE and IB students, unless a higher level is specified in the stated entry requirements, a pass is required in English at the following grades or higher:

• SQA National 5 at C
• GCSE at C or 4
• Level 2 Certificate at C
• IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry)

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 65 with at least 54 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 7 overall with at least 5 in each component.*

We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the degree you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT, or Trinity ISE test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the degree begins, regardless of your nationality.

English language requirements

(*Revised 24 May 2024 to change PTE Academic requirement from total 62 with at least 54 in each component, and to clarify that we do not accept PTE Academic online. Revised 29 August 2024 to add Oxford ELLT requirements.)

This degree is also available as a part-time degree. For more information and an application form, contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions

This information is part of a government initiative to enhance the material that higher education institutions provide about their degree programmes.

It is one of many sources of information which will enable you to make an informed decision on what and where to study.

Please note that some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for BD Divinity

Additional costs

None.

Funding

For more information on how much it will cost to study with us and the financial support available see our fees and funding information.

Fees and funding

• Have a query about undergraduate study?
• Send an enquiry