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Theology at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

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.
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.


How to apply

This course is not open to application until the 13th May 2025.

Application codes

Course code:
QVV6
Institution code:
E56
Campus name:
Central area campus
Campus code:
-

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

Entry requirements

Standard Qualification Requirements

Detailed entry requirements, including typical offer levels, and information about other qualifications we accept, are available on the University of Edinburgh’s website. You’ll also find important information on how to apply. You must submit a fully completed UCAS application that includes details of the qualifications you are taking, including full predicted grades for qualifications not yet completed, your personal statement and your reference.

Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/237-theology?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_term=&utm_content=listing

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Please click the following link to find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course

https://study.ed.ac.uk/programmes/undergraduate/237-theology?utm_source=ucas&utm_medium=programme&utm_campaign=ug_institution_profiles&utm_term=&utm_content=listing


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5total 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)92total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
Cambridge English Advancedtotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Cambridge English Proficiencytotal 176 with at least 162 in each component.
Trinity ISEISE II with distinctions in all four components.

You must prove that you can read, write, listen and speak in the English language at a level that will allow you to succeed in your studies. This is the case for all applicants, including UK nationals. You can meet our English language requirements with qualifications from school or an English language test. We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher: SQA National 5: English at C; GCSE: English at C or 4; Level 2 Certificate: English at C; International Baccalaureate (IB) Standard Level: English at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). Before you apply, check the required subjects for this programme, as you may need a higher English grade to meet the academic requirements. We also accept other qualifications from around the world. If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the English language tests, at the specified grade or higher, as detailed above. Qualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of your programme, regardless of your nationality: IELTS, TOEFL, Oxford ELLT. All other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of your programme. If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, as defined by UKVI, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.

Full details of our English language requirements can be found on our website:

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/entry-requirements/english-language


Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
70%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
90%
Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Channel Islands £9535* Year 1
Republic of Ireland £9535* Year 1
Scotland £1820* Year 1
England £9535* Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535* Year 1
Wales £9535* Year 1
EU £29600 Year 1
International £29600 Year 1

*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

Scotland - Scottish students must apply to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for payment of their tuition fees. Please note the 2026-27 fee rate is yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government. England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) rate is yet to be confirmed. The fee for 2025 entry was £9,535. For 2026 entry this may increase in line with inflation and will be subject to government limits. EU On 9th July 2020 the decision was made by the Scottish Government to end free university tuition for European Union (EU) students starting in 2021-22. Funding policy for EU nationals and associated groups starting a course of study in academic year 2022-23 or later will be in line with international fees. Full time international and EU students will pay a fixed annual fee rate for the duration of their programme
Theology at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS