Divinity - Graduate Entry MDiv Level: Undergraduate Subject: Theology and Religious Studies Year of entry: 2026 Key facts UCAS Code V630 Award MDiv Duration of study 3 years Delivery Full-time Study location New College Start date September 2026 School School of Divinity College College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Placement No Open days and events Overview About the degree programme 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:chaplaincythe creative artsteachingcounsellingthe voluntary sectorthe private sectorthe armed forcesgovernmentWhy study this programmeThis 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. How long it takes to complete this degree programme This programme is studied over 3 years. 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. Entry 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. College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences contacts English language requirements 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. School qualifications we accept We accept any of the following, at the specified grade or higher:SQA National 5 English at CGCSE English at C or 4Level 2 Certificate English at CInternational 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.Other qualifications we acceptWe also accept other qualifications from around the world.English language qualifications and tests we accept English language tests we accept If you don’t have school qualifications that meet our requirements, we accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher: IELTS Academic: total 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 (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 176 with at least 162 in each component. Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components. Oxford ELLT: total 7 with at least 5 in each component. Other English language tests we accept We also accept other types of English language tests. English language qualifications and tests we accept How old your English language qualifications can be Qualifications no more than two years oldQualifications from the following English language tests must be no more than two years old from the start date of this programme, regardless of your nationality:IELTSTOEFLTrinity ISEOxford ELLTQualifications no more than three and a half years oldAll other types of English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of this programme.If you are a national of a majority English-speaking country or region, there is no time limit on how old these other types of English language qualifications can be.Check the UKVI list of majority English-speaking countries and territories Fees and funding Tuition fees for MDiv (Hons) Divinity- 3 Years View the tuition fees for one academic year of MDiv (Hons) Divinity- 3 Years. 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 £1,023 to £2,043 on living costs each month, depending on your accommodation.This estimate covers the costs of:accommodationfoodutility billstravel within Edinburghhealth and wellbeing costsSee 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 Programme details What you will study As a student of divinity, we encourage you to explore the dynamics between theology and religious studies. You can choose to pursue your interests in a wide variety of subjects, combining breadth of knowledge with in-depth expertise. If you are training for ordained ministry in the Church of Scotland, the Scottish Episcopal Church or other denominations, you may need to take certain courses as part of your training throughout Years 1 to 3. Year 1 In Year 1 of the programme, you will choose courses from a range offered in the subject areas of: Biblical studiesThis area considers the history, literary context and interpretation of the bible and the intellectual context in which particular methods of biblical scholarship arose. Courses in this subject area offer the opportunity to study the original languages of the bible from introductory to advanced levels. History of ChristianityThis area provides the foundations for understanding Christianity's past, present and future as a lived religion. Courses in this subject area reference theological and philosophical debates influencing and arising from historical events and examine historical trajectories and socio-cultural processes that have led to Christianity's current reality as a world religion. Theology and ethicsThis area focuses on the field of Christian theology. Courses in this subject area include systematic theology, Christian ethics, practical theology, public theology, and interdisciplinary approaches such as through science, literature, food and film. There are also courses in Christianity and Islam. You will also have the option to take a course from any of those offered at this level in the School of Divinity. 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) Year 2 As in Year 1, you will choose courses from a range offered in the subject areas of:biblical studiesthe history of Christianitytheology and ethicsYou will also be able to take some advanced courses in Year 2. 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) Year 3 You will choose further advanced courses from your area(s) of interest.You will also write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, with the one-to-one supervision of an academic in the School of Divinity. 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) 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 year (Year 3). 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. Sample timetable In Year 1, you will choose four 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 111am to 12pm lecture, subject 22pm to 3pm lecture, subject 33pm to 4pm lecture, subject 4Tuesday:10am to 11am lecture, subject 111am to 12pm lecture, subject 22pm to 3pm lecture, subject 33pm to 4pm lecture, subject 4Wednesday:no classes Thursday:10am to 11am lecture, subject 111am to 12pm lecture, subject 22pm to 3pm lecture, subject 33pm to 4pm tutorial, subject 34pm to 5pm lecture, subject 4Friday:10am to 11am tutorial, subject 412pm to 1pm tutorial, subject 13pm 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 Professor Alison Jack: Programme Director 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 10 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 café, 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 archivesmanuscriptsprinted books and objectsCurrent collections support the School of Divinity's teaching and research activities in:biblical studiesthe history of Christianityreligious studiestheology and ethicsworld ChristianityThe collections continue to develop in new and evolving areas, such as:science and religionChristian-Muslim relationsBuddhist and Jewish studiesreligion and literatureMany 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 and further study Career paths This programme is mainly aimed at preparing candidates for professional ministry. However, it has also been studied by students interested in Christian theology who have pursued careers in a variety of contexts including: chaplaincy the creative arts teaching counselling the voluntary sector management and administration finance the armed forces government 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 strengthstry different types of experiences and reflect on how and what you developget help finding work, including part-time jobs, vacation work, internships and graduate jobsattend careers events and practice interviewsget information and advice to help you make informed decisionsVisit the Careers Service website Further study Many of our students go on to study for postgraduate qualifications, including masters degrees and doctorates. Applying 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 Deferred entryYou cannot apply for deferred entry for this programme. What you need to apply As part of your application, you will need:your academic qualificationsa personal statementevidence 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 websiteKey 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:How to submit your qualificationsAttend an offer holder eventReceiving our decisionAccepting your offerAfter you’ve accepted your offerIf you have a disability and need more support at 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 Life at Edinburgh What our students say Find out what our students think 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 websiteAccommodation guarantee criteriaIf 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 classcoffee drop-infilm clubcrafters' sessiona games caféYou 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. Exercise, leisure and support facilities Outside of your studies, we offer a range of facilities to daily life, including: sport and exercise facilitiesUniversity cafes and cateringEdinburgh University Students' Association venues and shopsa multi-faith chaplaincy for all faiths and nonea University nursery (based at King’s Buildings campus) 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 servicea health centre (doctor's surgery)support if you're living in University accommodationdedicated help and support if you have a disability or need adjustmentHealth and wellbeing support services Contact and events
