Degree finder

UCAS code: V600

Duration: 4 years

Delivery: Full-time

School: Divinity

College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Study abroad

Introducing BD Divinity

This programme traditionally prepares candidates for professional ministry but in recent years has been studied by students with an interest 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, and theology and ethics.

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, and theology and ethics.

You may choose to focus on one subject area in depth, or continue to study several subject areas. You have the option of graduating after Year 3 with a general degree.

Year 4

You will continue to take advanced-level courses, and 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 (2019/20)

Where you will study

Our facilities

Teaching takes place primarily in the School of Divinity, based in New College. You will also have access to all the University's libraries and computer facilities.

Study abroad

There is a varied range of opportunities to spend time abroad. For shorter periods, these include summer programmes and work abroad.

During Year 3, you will also have the opportunity to study abroad on exchange for up to a year at a wide selection of leading global universities. These include Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands and Dartmouth College, United States, with which the School has ongoing relationships.

Going abroad expands your horizons and is great fun, as well as bringing academic and career benefits.

What are my options for going abroad?

Learning and assessment

How will I learn?

Courses are taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars and online 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 and an honours dissertation.

Programme details

Find out more about this programme's aims, what you will learn, how you will be assessed and what skills and knowledge you will develop.

To give you an idea of what to expect from 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 details (2019/20)

Career opportunities

Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers within a variety of settings, including the creative arts, non-governmental organisations, finance, teaching, management, administration, the ministry, the armed forces, government, counselling and the voluntary sector.

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

Entry requirements

Standard entry requirement

The standard entry requirement is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S5. If you haven’t achieved this by the end of S5 we may consider your application based on a strong performance in S6. A minimum of BBB must be achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

Minimum entry requirement

The minimum entry requirement for widening access applicants is:

SQA Highers: ABBB by end of S6, with a minimum of BBB achieved in one year of S4-S6.
A Levels: ABB.
IB: 34 points (grades 655 at HL).

More information for widening access applicants

Required subjects

The grades used to meet our entry requirements must include:

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

English language requirements

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 Grade C
SQA Standard Grade 3
SQA Intermediate 1 Grade A
SQA Intermediate 2 Grade C
GCSE Grade C or 4
Level 2 Certificate Grade C
IB Standard Level Grade 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 92 or above with 20 in each section
Cambridge English: Advanced or Proficiency overall 176 with 162 in each component
PTE Academic: Total 61 with at least 51 in each "Communicative Skills" section
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 programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or Trinity ISE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

English language requirements

(Revised 05/06/2019 to provide more accurate/comprehensive information.)