Why Study Theology or Biblical Studies?

Theology (sometimes called Divinity) and Biblical Studies are two of the oldest intellectual pursuits and also two of the most relevant to the modern world.

Degree programmes at St Andrews introduce you to the teachings and practices of the Christian faith in particular. There is close interaction between the two subject areas as you consider the profound influence that the Jewish and Christian Scriptures have had on Western civilisation and address both significance of faith today and challenges to it.

The many opportunities for dialogue with other disciplines (philosophy, history, literature, the natural and social sciences) make a Theology and/or Biblical Studies degree programme one of the most academically stimulating you could choose.

The subjects are immensely varied. You will study the history of Israel, the person of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul's letters and the rapid growth of the early church, and contacts between Christianity and Greek and Roman philosophy. You will examine Christian thought in depth, including Church History, Christian ethics and much more.

You have opportunity to study World Religions, Greek, Hebrew, Anthropology of Religion, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Pastoral Care, Feminist Theory, as well as a module or two in Moral Philosophy, Modern History, Information Technology, Psychology, International Relations, or another School in the Faculty of Arts.

Very few of our students are preparing for ordained ministries within one or other Christian denomination. All are keen to develop skills of critical thinking that will be attractive to employers. Some go on to volunteer or paid work in charitable agencies and not a few take up lay leadership in Christian congregations later in life.