Why study this course?
The BD (Hons) in Divinity is a shorter course intended for those who already have an undergraduate degree and are interested in focusing on theological and biblical studies. It is especially suited for those considering ordination within a Christian denomination.
You will have the option to specialise in subjects such as the Old Testament, theology, practical theology, church history or a combination of these.
Course details
The BD (Hons) in Divinity is a three-year course run by the School of Divinity. The course is only available to those who already hold an undergraduate degree and are now interested in focusing on theological and biblical studies.
The course focuses on the teachings and practices of the Christian faith as rooted in biblical and theological studies, and considers the significance of faith today as well as the challenges to it. Students can expect to have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics including, for example, the study of the biblical text in its original languages or the interactions of Christian theology with current scientific and philosophical developments.
During your first year, you will take modules covering both the Old and New Testaments, systematic theology, philosophy of religion, theological ethics, and the history of the early church.
Throughout all three years of your degree, you will take the required modules in divinity only. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
The skills you gain in detailed analytical study will prepare you for your second and third year, during which you will take reading-centred modules intended to bring you into close contact with the primary texts of Christian theology and biblical studies. These modules provide transition from the broader thematic study of subjects to a more detailed analysis of texts and traditions.
Final-year students must also complete a 10,000-word dissertation on a divinity topic chosen in consultation with teaching staff.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits.
Ask a student
If you are interested in learning what it's like to be a student at St Andrews you can speak to one of our student ambassadors. They'll let you know about their top tips, best study spots, favourite traditions and more.
“I enjoy the close community in the School, not just between students but also with staff who are really engaging and helpful. As my classes are quite small I have great access to ask questions and get advice, whether through an email or in person. Also, studying in the King James Library is a great reminder of how lucky I am to be able to study here.”
- Coleraine, Northern Ireland
How it's taught
Teaching
Teaching in first year is mainly by lectures (10 to 100 students), supplemented by regular small-group tutorials (10 to 15 students).
At Honours level, greater emphasis is put on individual study and on students taking a major role in preparing for, and conducting, seminars (5 to 15 students) and classes (5 to 35 students).
When not attending lectures, tutorials and workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve:
- working on individual and group projects
- undertaking research in the library
- preparing coursework assignments and presentations
- preparing for examinations
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All sub-honours modules are typically assessed by coursework, written examinations, or both. At Honours level, at least 50% assessed work is coursework, with some modules including no exam element at all.
Examinations are held at the end of each semester during a dedicated exam diet with revision time provided beforehand.
The School aims to provide feedback on every assessment within three weeks to help you improve on future assessments.
Undergraduates at the University of St Andrews must achieve at least 7.0 on the St Andrews 20-point grade scale to pass a module. To gain access to Honours-level modules, students must achieve the relevant requisites as specified in the policy on entry to Honours and in the relevant programme requirements. To find out the classification equivalent of points, please see the common reporting scale.
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You will be taught by an experienced teaching team with expertise and knowledge of divinity. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken tutor training may also contribute to the teaching of classes and seminars under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all divinity staff on the School of Divinity website.
The University's services and support teams can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities, as well as many other difficulties and challenges students might face while studying.
Modules
During the first two years of your degree, you will take the required modules in Divinity only.
Typically, you will take three Divinity modules per semester during your first year, and four modules per year during your second (known as Honours).
Course information may change. Module information and course content, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at the University of St Andrews. We display the most up-to-date information possible, but this could be from a previous academic year. For the latest module information, see the module catalogue.
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In the first year of study, you will take four compulsory modules from the following list:
- Hebrew 2: aims to extend students' skills in reading the Hebrew Bible and in the techniques of textual criticism and of exegesis.
- Christ, Paul, and the Origins of Christianity A (English Texts): examines the literature and developing theology of the New Testament, paying particular attention to the issue of unity and diversity, and to the themes of Christology and soteriology.
- Early and Medieval Christianity: explores key themes in the organisation, practice and beliefs of the early and medieval church, focusing mostly on the period from the first to the ninth centuries.
- Philosophical Theology: introduces students to the relations between philosophy and theology in thought about God, including themes in metaphysics, epistemology, and the philosophy of language.
- Religion Today: despite their predicted death religions are a significant feature of living in the 21st century. The module familiarises student with the anatomy and the dynamics of religious traditions and of religious phenomena in the contemporary world.
- Reading the Women of the Old Testament A (English Texts): this module introduces students to Old Testament literature and ancient Israel through exploring the representation of women. Students read significant biblical texts in Hebrew and scholarship in English.
- Christianity and Modernity in Global Perspective: this module examines the experience of Christianity within a changing world starting with the encounter between Europe and indigenous peoples in the Americas, slavery and theological conceptions of the soul, secularism.
- New Testament Greek 2: continues from New Testament Greek 1 and introduces the second half of the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek.
- New Testament Greek 1: introduces the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek which will continue into New Testament Greek 2.
Students will also take two modules from the following:
- God and the World: Introducing Theology: addresses a variety of themes within Christian theology. Each theme will be approached with a view to its biblical roots and historical development, its critical reception and restatement in the modern period, and its significance for contemporary theological reflection.
- The Art of Biblical Literature: Introducing the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament: introduces the life, literature and religion of Ancient Israel, with particular consideration of the main literary types of the Old Testament literature.
- Hebrew 2: aims to extend students' skills in reading the Hebrew Bible and in the techniques of textual criticism and of exegesis.
- Hebrew 1: Introduction to Hebrew Language: aims to give students a sufficient knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew to be able to read and analyse prescribed texts.
- New Testament Greek 2: continues from New Testament Greek 1 and introduces the second half of the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek.
- New Testament Greek 1: introduces the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek which will continue into New Testament Greek 2.
- Jesus and the Gospels: considers the historical contexts of the New Testament texts; then studies the Gospels with a view to determining the particular interests of their authors, and with a view to assessing their portraits of Jesus in relation to the historical Jesus.
- Introduction to World Religions: the module also includes a one-week study of different methodologies for the study of religion and a short introduction to African religions and the expansion of Indian religions within other continents outside Asia. While primarily textual and historical, this module also analyses rituals through film and video making use of social media with the inclusion of guest lecturers.
- The Good Life: Christian Ethics and Human Flourishing: what makes life good? What is it to be good? With a focus on Christian thought (including queer, feminist, black, disability theology), this module explores how leading historical and contemporary theologians and philosophers tackle this.
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In the second year of study, students take the following compulsory module:
- The Bible Through the Ages: History, Theology, and Hermeneutics: this module traces the history of the Bible from the formation of biblical canons around the beginning of the common era to the present day. In each era, it explores the various physical forms and social contexts in which the Bible was encountered
Students will also take two modules from the following list:
- Religious Practices in Socio-Political Contexts
- Medieval Monastic Spirituality
- Johannine Literature and Theology: English Text
- Johannine Literature and Theology: Greek Text
- Epistle to the Hebrews: English Text
- God and Morality: Faith and Philosophy in the Scottish Enlightenment
- Prophetic Books
- Hebrew Readings
- Creation and Chaos in the Hebrew Bible and the Ancient Near East
- Themes and Texts in Christian-Buddhist Dialogue
- Christian Ethics and Contemporary Society
- A Quest for God: The Religious World of Dante
- Native American Religions
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In third year, students also undertake a 10,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice.
The School provides significant support for the dissertation, with a breakdown of the assessment into different stages and a programme of seminars to assist in the development of advanced research and communication skills.
Fees and funding
- Scotland: Tuition fees are yet to be confirmed by the Scottish Government.
- England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man: £9,535 (yet to be confirmed by the UK Government)
- EU and overseas: £33,250
More information on tuition fees can be found on the undergraduate fees and funding page.
Accommodation fees
Find out about accommodation fees for University accommodation.
Funding and scholarships
The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.
Entry requirements
The University offers different entry requirements, depending on your background. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject-specific entry requirements as outlined on their pages.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB
- Gateway entry grades:
- Applicants who have narrowly missed the minimum entry grades, but meet the University's contextual criteria, may be interested in one of the University’s Gateway programmes.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAA
- Minimum entry grades:
- ABB
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- Standard entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,6,5)
- Minimum entry grades:
- 36 (HL 6,5,5)
General entry requirements
All applicants must have attained the following qualifications, or equivalent, in addition to the specific entry requirements for individual programmes.
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SQA National 5 (B) in English and one SQA National 5 (B) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing science
- Geography
- Applications of Mathematics
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
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GCSE (5) in English language or English literature, and one GCSE (5) from the following:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Computing Science
- Geography
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology.
Other qualifications
We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry on to our programmes. Please see our entry requirements for more information.
More information on how to apply via other entry routes or accreditation of prior learning and experience can be found on the University's entry requirements web page.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No previous knowledge of divinity is required, but applicants must already hold an undergraduate degree from a higher education institution.
Alternative study options
Study abroad
Divinity students can apply to participate in the University-wide St Andrews Abroad programme. You may also have the opportunity to participate in the School Abroad exchange programme. For information about study abroad options, please see the study abroad site.
International applicants
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. Find out more about approved English language tests and scores for this course.
Joint Honours degrees
You can also take Divinity BD as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| French and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | VRP1 |
| German and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVF6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Classical Studies and Theological Studies | QV86 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) English and Theological Studies | QV36 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies and Theological Studies | PV36 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) French and Theological Studies | VR61 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Geography and Theological Studies | LV76 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) German and Theological Studies | RVG6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) International Relations and Theological Studies | LV26 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Mathematics and Theological Studies | GV16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Medieval History and Theological Studies | VVD6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Modern History and Theological Studies | VVC6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Philosophy and Theological Studies | VV56 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Psychology and Theological Studies | CV86 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Russian and Theological Studies | R7V6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Social Anthropology and Theological Studies | LV66 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Spanish and Theological Studies | RV46 |
| Russian and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RV10 |
| Spanish and Theological Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | VR64 |
"With" degrees
You can take Divinity BD as part of a "with" Honours degree in which the majority of the course deals with the first name subject. St Andrews offers the following "with" degrees in Divinity BD:
- Master of Arts (Honours) International Relations with Religion in Society - UCAS code LT27
- Master of Arts (Honours) Management with Religion in Society - UCAS code LT28
- Master of Arts (Honours) Philosophy with Religion in Society - UCAS code LT29
- Master of Arts (Honours) Social Anthropology with Religion in Society - UCAS code LT30
Careers
Most graduates from the BD take the course as part of their preparation for ordination. That said, graduates from the theological and biblical disciplines develop key transferable skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication, which make them highly attractive to potential employers. Accordingly, employment prospects are usually wide ranging.
Recent graduates from the School of Divinity have become:
- religious studies teachers
- lay chaplains at schools
- ordained ministers
- journalists with the national and religious press
Others have gone on to become lawyers, corporate bankers, marketing managers, social workers, language therapists, and even wine tasters.
The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students to build their employability skills.
What to do next
Online information events
Join us for one of our information events where you can find out about different levels of study and specific courses we run. There are also sessions available for parents and college counsellors.
Undergraduate visiting days
We encourage all students who are thinking of applying to the University to attend one of our online or in-person visiting days.
Contact us
- Phone
- +44 (0)1334 46 2850
- divinity@st-andrews.ac.uk
- Address
- School of Divinity
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU
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