Theology MA (Hons)

Level: Undergraduate

Subject: Theology and Religious Studies

Year of entry: 2026

Key facts

UCAS Code

QVV6

Award

MA (Hons)

Duration of study

4 years

Delivery

Full-time

Study location

New College

Start date

September 2026

School

School of Divinity

College

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Study abroad

Available

Placement

No

Open days and events

Proposed new programme

We would like to hear your views on a potential new undergraduate opportunity in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics.

Take survey

About the degree programme

Our degree programme in theology offers a broad and richly interdisciplinary study of Christianity and other religious traditions, engaging with key religious questions, beliefs, texts and actions of religious practitioners.

This flexible programme allows you to focus on one religious tradition in detail or to explore multiple religious cultures, including:

  • Christianity
  • Islam
  • Judaism
  • Buddhism
  • Hinduism
  • indigenous religions
  • new religious movements

Why study this programme 

  • You will choose courses that cover a variety of topics such as biblical texts and languages, Christian intellectual history, ethics and philosophical theology, history of the Christian churches and global Christianity, other religious traditions, practical theology, science and theology, the arts and theology, and liberation theologies. 
  • You will be able to describe, analyse and critique a wide range of theological disciplines, beliefs and practices in a creative and constructive fashion. 
  • Edinburgh has a fascinating ecclesiastical/theological history and is a cosmopolitan, diverse and exciting setting for theological study. 

Aims and outcomes 

The Theology MA programme has six main goals, including: 

  • To offer study in all the traditional subjects that comprise the academic study of the Christian tradition, from introductory through advanced levels.
  • To develop advanced expertise in knowledge and abilities in disciplines within the study of the Christian tradition and other religions.
  • To acquaint you with the approaches, questions, methods, tools, and results of advanced academic studies in these subjects.
  • To allow the study of additional subjects outside of theology for the first two years.
  • To help develop your experience and abilities in comprehension, analysis, reflection, critical thinking, and oral and written communication.
  • To equip you for a variety of careers, further academic study, and life-long learning.

How long it takes to complete this degree programme

This programme is studied over 4 years.

A key benefit to studying a 4-year degree programme is that you have the flexibility to study a range of subjects, outside your chosen degree programme, in Year 1 and Year 2.

This allows you the opportunity to study other courses that interest you or enhance your degree. By the end of Year 2, you can decide which of these subject areas you want to focus on in the honours years of your programme.

How long it takes to complete our degree programmes

Programme rankings

We are ranked in the world's top 8 universities for theology, divinity and religious studies in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025.

Programme benefits

  • You will join a vibrant, tight-knit community of around 450 students and 40 staff, based in their own building – the beautiful and historic New College. 
  • Our friendly and approachable teaching staff consist of internationally respected scholars in a wide range of specialisms. 
  • Divinity has a fantastic onsite library which is one of the largest religion and theology libraries in the UK.
  • You will study over four years, including one abroad (if desired).  
  • You do not need qualifications in religious studies to take up the study of religion. Our students come from backgrounds in arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. 

The Theology MA at Edinburgh was such an incredibly rewarding experience. In my four years at New College, I explored topics as wide-ranging as ecological interpretations of the Hebrew Bible to Medieval literature and Victorian ecclesiastical politics, surveying over 4,000 years of human history. I was always guided by knowledgeable and kind tutors and faculty who always went the extra step to make my time at New College special and ensured my voice was represented.

Lucy Swale MA Theology, graduated 2023

Find your entry requirements

Use the dropdowns to find out your entry requirements.

  1. Select the country or region where you are studying or where you studied your qualification.
  2. Select the qualification you are studying or studied.
United Kingdom,

Tuition fees for MA(Hons) Theology

View the tuition fees for one academic year of MA(Hons) Theology.

Tuition fees for this programme

Accommodation and living costs

You need to cover your accommodation and living costs for the duration of your programme.

We estimate that a single student can potentially spend a maximum of £920 to £2,257 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.

This estimate covers the costs of:

  • accommodation
  • food
  • utility bills
  • travel within Edinburgh
  • health and wellbeing costs

See a breakdown of living costs

Scholarships and funding

Funding information

You can find detailed information on financial support available, based on where you are living, in our funding section.

Funding

What you will study

As a student of this programme, you will have a broad range of courses to choose from. This means you can focus on particular areas or approaches if you would like to. 

Topics covered on theology courses include:  

  • Christian intellectual history and its challenges
  • ethics, society, and politics 
  • philosophy of religion 
  • the history of Christian churches and global Christianity  
  • scriptural texts and languages 
  • non-Christian religions, such as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, and Hinduism 
  • science and religion 
  • literature, the arts, and theology 
  • liberation theology and decolonial thought 
  • practical theology and ministry

Theology courses 

You will take theology courses in Christianity or other religious traditions. These courses will employ various methods and approaches, such as the study of history, philosophy, ethics, literature, and languages.  

You may also take the Theology and Religious Studies Foundation Seminar course, which will equip you with the skills you need to succeed at university. 

Option courses 

You can also choose two courses from other subject areas across the University. For example, you might choose courses: 

  • in a subject that complements your programme 
  • that help you to learn a language 
  • that simply interest you 
Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 1 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

As in Year 1, you will choose theology courses in Christianity or other religious traditions, employing a range of study methods. 

You can also choose two courses from other subject areas across the University. 

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 2 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

In Year 3, you will choose more advanced courses from the wide variety available in Christianity and other religious traditions. 

You will deepen your skills in study areas of your choice, such as history, philosophy, ethics, literature, and languages.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 3 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

As in Year 3, you will choose advanced courses in Christianity and/or other religious traditions, employing a range of skills and methods. 

You will also write a dissertation on a topic of your choice with academic supervision.

Find courses

The courses you can study will vary from year to year and may be different for your year of entry.

You can get an idea of what you might study by viewing the latest course information for this programme.

Find Year 4 courses (2025-2026 academic year)

Study abroad

During your degree there are a range of opportunities to spend time abroad. This includes exchange programmes, placements abroad and summer opportunities. 

During Year 3, you will have the opportunity 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 (Netherlands) 
  • Dartmouth College (USA) 

Going abroad is a great opportunity to learn about different cultures and places, improving your confidence and independence, and to experience studying your subject in another country.

What are my options for going abroad?

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

In the School of Divinity you will be taught through a combination of methods. 

Lectures 

These are typically larger all-student activities that are delivered in a presentation style by the course organiser or another experienced academic member of staff.

Tutorials 

Tutorial groups are smaller. They are also led by an academic, but here the emphasis is more on what you think about the topic yourself. Tutorials are your chance to discuss and expand upon what you have learned in a lecture. 

Seminars 

Seminars blend features of lectures and tutorials. There is some teaching but also a lot of interaction. They are designed to encourage and facilitate your active participation in learning. 

On some courses, you will have seminars instead of lectures, especially in your honours years (Years 3 and 4). 

Digital learning 

Many of the resources you encounter during your studies will be based online.  Some assessments will be interactive or web-based and teach skills such as wiki creation or blog writing. 

Assessment

You will be assessed through a combination of coursework and exams. Coursework is generally completed throughout the year, while exams take place at the end of a teaching block.   

In your final year, you will also complete a dissertation.

In Year 1, you will choose three subjects each semester. For each subject, you will have two or three lectures and one tutorial each week. A typical timetable might look something like this:  

Monday:

  • 10am to 11am lecture, subject 1
  • 11am to 12pm lecture, subject 2

Tuesday:

  • 10am to 11am lecture, subject 1
  • 11am to 12pm lecture, subject 2
  • 2pm to 3pm lecture, subject 3

Wednesday:

no classes  

Thursday:

  • 10am to 11am lecture, subject 1
  • 11am to 12pm lecture, subject 2
  • 2pm to 3pm lecture, subject 3
  • 3pm to 4pm tutorial, subject 3

Friday:

  • 12pm to 1pm tutorial, subject 1
  • 3pm to 4pm tutorial, subject 2

Support for your studies

The School of Divinity has two Student Advisers who will be your first point of contact if you need help. They can guide you to other University service teams depending on what support you need.

We also have a Wellbeing Adviser who can offer support if you are experiencing any issues that are affecting your health, wellbeing, studies or personal life. 

Our academic staff

Courses are taught by a diverse team of academic staff, including many world-leading experts in their fields.

The School of Divinity has historic strengths in areas related to Christianity (historical, theological, and scriptural), and is at the forefront of new and emerging subject areas (such as decoloniality, interreligious dialogue, and literature and religion). 

Where you will study

Study location

The School of Divinity is based at New College, an impressive neo-gothic building in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It commands spectacular views over the city centre towards the sea and is a distinctive feature on the Edinburgh skyline, close to Edinburgh Castle. 

Students benefit from a self-contained college setting less than ten minutes walk away from the main University campus. Teaching takes place in our own lecture theatres and rooms. We also have our own library, study space and on-site cafe, situated in the grand Rainy Hall. This provides a great place to meet friends and study, and is also the venue for our whole school Christmas dinner and Burns supper.

Academic facilities

The 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 School of Divinity's teaching and research activities 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
  • 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.

Virtual tour

 

Watch former student Amy giving you a tour of the building.

Career paths

The transferable skills you will develop during your degree programme will open doors to many different occupations. In an increasingly global economy, the skills of vision, creativity and religious sensitivity developed through the study of theology will set you apart from other graduates.

Divinity graduates learn to show independence in thought and critical self-awareness about one's own outlook, commitments and prejudices. They can communicate information, ideas, principles and theories and demonstrate key skills such as critical thinking and analytical writing. 

Theology and religious studies graduates become:

  • lawyers
  • politicians
  • teachers and academics
  • civil servants
  • social workers
  • police officers
  • charity workers
  • business analysts
  • management consultants
  • journalists
  • religious ministers

Careers Service

Our Careers Service can help you to fully develop your potential and achieve your future goals.

The Careers Service supports you not only while you are studying at the University, but also for up to two years after you finish your studies.

With the Careers Service, you can:

  • access digital resources to help you understand your skills and strengths
  • try different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you develop
  • get help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobs
  • attend careers events and practice interviews
  • get information and advice to help you make informed decisions

Visit the Careers Service website

Further study

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

 

Graduate profiles

 

Find out about our recent graduate Sophie who joined a graduate scheme to work in the prison service.

Read Sophie’s interview in the New College Magazine

How to apply

You must submit a full application through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) before the relevant deadline.

Guidance on applying through UCAS

What you need to apply

As part of your application, you will need:

  • your academic qualifications
  • a personal statement
  • evidence of your English language skills (with relevant qualifications)
  • a reference

How we select

If you have met, or are predicted to meet, all our entry requirements by the relevant deadline, then your application will go into our selection process.

As part of this selection process, we will review all the information you submit in your UCAS application when we decide who to select for this degree programme.

How we select applicants

When to apply

  • 2026 entry UCAS deadline: 14 January 2026 (6:00pm GMT)

This is the deadline for all UK, EU and international applicants to non-medicine and veterinary medicine programmes.

To find out if any degree programmes have spaces after 14 January 2026, search the University of Edinburgh on the UCAS website.

Search degrees that are open on the UCAS website

Key application dates and deadlines

After you apply

After you have applied for your degree programme, we suggest you have a look at the following information to help you prepare for university:

Applying as an international student

As an international student, you apply for this degree programme through UCAS.  

Find out more about applying through UCAS  

Visas and immigration 

If you do not have the right to live in the UK, you will need to apply for and secure a Student visa before the start date of your degree programme.  

Our Student Immigration Service can help you with the Student visa application process. 

Applying for a visa  

Agents  

An education agent is someone who can help you with the application process as an international student. 

We work with education agents around the world and have a list of local offices you can contact.  

Find contact details for an education agent

What our students say

Accommodation

We guarantee an offer of University accommodation for all new, single undergraduate students from outside Edinburgh. To be eligible, you need to meet all criteria and apply for accommodation by 16 August in the year of your entry to the University.

University accommodation website

Accommodation guarantee criteria

If you prefer to live elsewhere, we can offer you advice on finding accommodation in Edinburgh.

Accommodation information from the Edinburgh University Students' Association Advice Place

Societies and clubs

Within New College, students join all kinds of university clubs and societies, such as the New College choir, New College Pride, and the five-a-side football team.

Social events organised by the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) committees include quizzes and the New College Summer Ball.

Staff and students meet together for seasonal and community events such as the welcome week ceilidh, Diwali Potluck, Christmas lunch, Eid Meal and Burns supper.

There is also a regular semester time programme including:

  • a move and stretch class
  • coffee drop-in
  • film club
  • crafters' session
  • a games café

You can also participate in worship/reflections from a range of faith traditions.

The city of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage site. With a population of around 450,000, our city mixes architectural beauty and history with a lively and cosmopolitan environment. It is a safe and prosperous city with many parks and green spaces for recreation and reflection. It offers an exciting array of entertainment, arts, culture and sport, with the beautiful Scottish countryside and dramatic coastline just a few miles away.

A cultural capital 

Edinburgh has an incredibly energetic and diverse cultural life. There are dozens of museums and galleries with unique collections and cinemas specialising in arthouse and world film. Apart from the renowned Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe Festival every August (the largest arts festival in the world), it hosts many other cultural events every year.

Located close to the School of Divinity, the National Library of Scotland holds more than 5 million volumes, including every book published since 1710 in the United Kingdom (and numerous volumes published in the United States in cooperation with British presses). Scotland’s National Archives are also nearby.

Edinburgh's surroundings 

A short journey will take you to the old port of Leith and waterfront pubs and cafes, the fishing villages of Fife, or to the Pentland Hills or country parks and beaches. Further afield, Scotland’s magnificent scenery, villages and coastlines, as well as its other vibrant cities, are all easily accessible. Edinburgh is also a haven for cyclists, with quiet and scenic routes crisscrossing the city. 

Health and wellbeing support

You will have access to free health and wellbeing services throughout your time at university if you need them.

The support services we offer include:

  • a student counselling service
  • a health centre (doctor's surgery)
  • support if you're living in University accommodation
  • dedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustment

Health and wellbeing support services

Contact us

Contact us through our enquiry team if you have any questions about this programme.

Open days, events and visits

Find out when our next open days will be taking place

Open days, events and visits

Chat to our students on Unibuddy

Related degree programmes

Discover Uni data

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.

Some programmes do not have Discover Uni data available.