The University of Edinburgh - Postgraduate Discovery Day
18 Mar 2026, 09:00
Edinburgh
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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:
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chaplaincy
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the creative arts
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teaching
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counselling
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the voluntary sector
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the private sector
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the armed forces
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government
Why study this programme
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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.
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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.
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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.
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We offer a rich and stimulating formation in Christian theology, with emphases on theology and ethics, Church history, biblical languages, and practical theology.
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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:
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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.
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To provide understanding of Christianity as a world religion. Our historical approach takes account of Christianity in various cultures.
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To provide opportunities to reflect on Christianity’s historic and continuing encounter with other major world religions
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To develop your experience and abilities in research, comprehension, analysis, critical thinking, and oral and written communication.
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To equip students for ordained ministry or a variety of other appropriate careers or further academic study.
Programme benefits
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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.
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Our friendly and approachable teaching staff consist of internationally respected scholars in a wide range of specialisms.
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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
Apply by
14 January
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
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
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - Not accepted
Scottish Higher - Not accepted
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.
Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
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Find out more about minimum qualification requirements for this course.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 | Total 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each component. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 92 | Total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | Total 176 with at least 162 in each component. | |
| Trinity ISE | ISE II with distinctions in all four components. | |
| PTE Academic | 62 | Total 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
Contextual admissions
Universities and colleges consider more than grades when assessing applications and may make offers based on a range of criteria. Learn more about contextual offers.
The University of Edinburgh welcomes students from the UK and all over the world. We accept a wide range of qualifications and our policies support students with diverse backgrounds and experience. UCAS entry grade data is currently not available for our degrees but we publish admissions statistics on our website. We also provide information on widening access offers and entry requirements.
Historical entry grades data BETA
This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
Not available
Historical entry grades data is not currently available for The University of Edinburgh - we are working with them to try and make it available soon - learn more.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £1820 | Year 1 |
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| EU | £29600 | Year 1 |
| International | £29600 | Year 1 |
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.
England/Wales/Northern Ireland - The Rest of UK (RUK) students commencing or continuing their studies in September 2026, the tuition fees will be £9,790. This is subject to Parliamentary approval and is an increase of £255 on the fee rate for academic year 2025-2026.
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
The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh
Old College
South Bridge
Edinburgh
EH8 9YL
Visit our website Visit our course page
Course contact details
Student Recruitment & Admissions
Have a question about undergraduate study?
Email:futurestudents@ed.ac.uk
Phone:0131 650 1000
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