BD Divinity
UCAS code: V600
Duration: 4 years
Delivery: Full-time
School: Divinity
College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Introducing BD Divinity
This programme traditionally prepares candidates for professional ministry. In recent years it has also been studied by students interested in Christian theology who plan to pursue careers in a variety of contexts.
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, Scottish Episcopal Church or other denominations you may need to take certain courses as part of your training.
Year 2
As Year 1, with the option to take a course in religious studies.
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, 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.
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 and garden.
Many other study and student support facilities are only a short walk away in George Square. These include the University Main Library.
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 on 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 brings you academic and career benefits.
How will I learn?
You will be taught through a mix of:
- lectures
- tutorials
- seminars
- digital learning
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways. These include:
- 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 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.
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.
You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.
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
- SQA Standard Grade at 3
- SQA Intermediate 1 at A
- SQA Intermediate 2 at C
- GCSE/IGSCE at C or 4
- Level 2 Certificate Grade 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 module overall 6.5 with 5.5 in each component.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Special Home Edition) 92 or above with 20 in each section. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE II with a distinction in all four components.
We also accept a wider range of international qualifications and tests.
English language qualifications must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the degree you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
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
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.
- Enquiry Management Team
- Email: futurestudents@ed.ac.uk