MDiv Divinity - Graduate Entry

UCAS code: V630

Duration: 3 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Divinity

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Introducing MDiv Divinity - Graduate Entry

You must already hold a degree to study this graduate programme.

This programme typically prepares candidates for professional ministry. However, it may also be studied by graduate students interested in Christian theology, who are planning to pursue careers in a variety of contexts.

What you will study

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 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.

You will also be able to take some advanced courses in Year 2.

Year 3

You will choose further advanced courses from your area(s) of interest.

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

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.

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)

Where you will study

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
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

Learning and assessment

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

Career opportunities

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.

Entry requirements

This graduate entry degree is for students who already hold a degree.

For more information about entry requirements, please contact the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Undergraduate Admissions Office.

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences contacts

English language requirements

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.)