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Divinity at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS

Course summary

This is an accelerated honours degree programme, in which you take an extra course per year in order to complete the degree programme in three years. It is directed at students who already are graduates and want to develop a broad range of core skills (history, language, critical conceptual thinking, research and presentation) which are also useful to other careers. This programme traditionally prepares candidates for professional ministry. It has also been studied by students interested in Christian theology who plan to pursue careers in a variety of contexts, including:

  • ‎chaplaincy
  • ‎the creative arts
  • ‎teaching
  • ‎counselling
  • ‎the voluntary sector
  • ‎the private sector
  • ‎the armed forces
  • ‎government
Why study this programme
  • ‎This programme is most commonly taken by students who are candidates for ministry in the Church of Scotland and in other denominations, although it is also an excellent degree for any graduate who wishes to study theology.
  • ‎This programme is tailored to graduates looking to move towards ministry – in either the Church of Scotland or other denominations – within the setting of a world-class research university.
  • You will be taught by world-renowned outstanding scholars, some of whom have also served in ordained ministry covering a range of Christian traditions and cultural settings.
  • We offer a rich and stimulating formation in Christian theology, with emphases on theology and ethics, Church history, biblical languages, and practical theology.
  • Edinburgh has a fascinating ecclesiastical/theological history and is a cosmopolitan, diverse and exciting setting for theological study.
The Divinity BD programme has five main goals:
  • To provide breadth of acquaintance with the disciplines that make up the academic study of Christian theology, and more advanced study of selected subject areas according to your interests, abilities and preferences.
  • To provide understanding of Christianity as a world religion. Our historical approach takes account of Christianity in various cultures.
  • To provide opportunities to reflect on Christianity’s historic and continuing encounter with other major world religions
  • To develop your experience and abilities in research, comprehension, analysis, critical thinking, and oral and written communication.
  • To equip students for ordained ministry or a variety of other appropriate careers or further academic study.
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.
Deferred entry You cannot apply for deferred entry for this degree.


How to apply

Application codes

Course code:
V630
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

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. https://cahss.ed.ac.uk/about-us/staff-contacts/college-office 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/626-divinity-graduate-entry

Minimum Qualification Requirements

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

https://study.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/access-edinburgh/widening-access-offers


English language requirements

TestGradeAdditional details
IELTS (Academic)6.5Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component.
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.
PTE Academic62Total 62 with at least 54 in each component.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies. 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 or IB Standard Level at 5 (English ab initio is not accepted for entry). 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 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.

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

https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/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
Divinity at The University of Edinburgh - UCAS