“I love the fact that students are given the room to explore options before concentrating on specific areas of studies. I have been exposed to topics that I did not know would interest me so much. They provoke my interest, satisfy my curiosity, and make me think. This University isn’t just four years of your life, it is a life in four years!”
- Hong Kong
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 biblical studies or theology is required.
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 website.
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.
Course details
The MA (Hons) in Biblical Studies is a four-year course run by the School of Divinity. The course is designed to introduce you to the complexities and wonders of reading biblical texts: contexts, content, methods and hermeneutics (the reading of ancient texts in a modern world).
In your first two years, you will take compulsory modules focusing on both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament modules focus on the history, religion and culture of Israel, and incorporate a wide range of texts from prophetic, hymnic, wisdom and apocalyptic literature.
The New Testament modules focus on Jesus and the Gospels, Paul’s letters and the rest of the New Testament writings in the context of the history and theology of early Christianity. In addition, you will study at least one biblical language – either Hebrew or Greek, or both – which will provide a basis for Honours-level exegesis courses.
Alongside biblical studies, in the first year of your studies you will be required to study an additional two subjects. In the second year, you will usually carry on at least one of these subjects, sometimes two. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
The skills you gain in detailed analytical study will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will take advanced exegesis and hermeneutics modules. You will also be able to choose from a range of specialist subject modules in areas including (but not limited to):
- biblical themes such as monarchy
- extra-biblical texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls
- further languages such as Biblical Aramaic
- New Testament texts in Greek or English
- Old Testament texts in Hebrew or English
Final year students must also complete a 10,000-word dissertation on a biblical studies 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. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
The University of St Andrews operates on a flexible modular degree system by which degrees are obtained through the accumulation of credits. More information on the structure of the modules system can be found on the flexible degree structure web page.
Modules
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours), you will take the required modules in biblical studies alongside modules in at least one other subject.
Typically, you will take one to two biblical studies modules per semester during your first two years, and three or four biblical studies modules per year during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.
Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:
- 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.
- 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.
And either Hebrew 1 and 2 or Greek 1 and 2 from these modules:
- 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.
- Hebrew 2: aims to extend students' skills in reading the Hebrew Bible and in the techniques of textual criticism and of exegesis.
- New Testament Greek 1: introduces the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek which will continue into New Testament Greek 2.
- 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.
Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:
- Christ, Paul, and the Origins of Christianity A (English Texts) or Christ, Paul, and the Origins of Christianity B (Greek 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.
- Reading the Women of the Old Testament A (English Texts) or Reading the Women of the Old Testament B (Hebrew Texts): examines depictions of women and the feminine in the Old Testament, including female characters in narrative, women in legal texts, female characters in Wisdom Literature, and the metaphorical depiction of cities as women in prophetic texts, as well as the use of female imagery for God and the religious roles of women in ancient Israel.
If you decide to take Biblical Studies in your third and fourth years, you will take the following compulsory module:
- The Bible Through the Ages: History, Theology, and Hermeneutics: takes students through the history of the Bible and its interpretation from the formation of the canon to postmodernism considering, for each time period, what the Bible was for the people of the time, and how people encountered and interpreted the Bible.
In addition, you will take two modules from the following list:
- Readings in Early Christian Greek Texts
- 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
In fourth 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.
The modules above are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. Please see the module catalogue for more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment.
Teaching
Teaching in the first and second years is mainly by lectures (10 to 100 students), supplemented by regular small-group tutorials (8 to 12 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).
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
All sub-honours modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% written examinations. 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.
You will be taught by a research-led teaching team with expertise and knowledge of biblical studies. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken tutor training may also contribute to the teaching of tutorials under the supervision of the module leader.
You can find contact information for all divinity staff on the academic support is available.
In addition to your studies in the School of Divinity, optional students with disabilities web page through practical study skills courses and workshops hosted within the University.
The University's student services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the School of Divinity website.
The University's Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
The University’s Student Services team can help students with additional needs resulting from disabilities, long-term medical conditions or learning disabilities. More information can be found on the students with disabilities web page.
Fees
Scotland
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands, Isle of Man
Following the decision of the UK Government to raise undergraduate tuition fees and maintenance loans in line with inflation from April 2025, we are reviewing the consequences of that decision for fees payable by students from the rest of the UK who have chosen to study in Scotland. We will update the information on this page as soon as possible.
EU and overseas
£31,670
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.
Joint Honours degrees
You can also take Biblical Studies as part of a joint Honours degree in which you will take core modules of your chosen subjects.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Master of Arts (Honours) Ancient History and Biblical Studies | VV16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and Biblical Studies | ABS1 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Arabic and Biblical Studies (With Integrated Year Abroad) | TV85 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Art History and Biblical Studies | VV36 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Classical Studies | VQ68 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Comparative Literature | VQ62 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Economics | LV16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and English | QVH6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Film Studies | VP63 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and French | RV16 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and French (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVC6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and German | RV26 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and German (With Integrated Year Abroad) | RVFP |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Greek | QV76 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Hebrew | QV46 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and International Relations | VL62 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Mathematics | VG61 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Medieval History | VVP1 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies and Philosophy | VVM6 |
| Master of Arts (Honours) Modern History and New Testament | VV61 |
"With" degrees
You can take Biblical Studies 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 Biblical Studies:
- Master of Arts (Honours) Art History with Bible and Culture - UCAS code AB01
- Master of Arts (Honours) English with Bible and Culture - UCAS code BA01
- Master of Arts (Honours) Film Studies with Bible and Culture - UCAS code FB01
- Master of Arts (Honours) Medieval History with Bible and Culture - UCAS code MB02
- Master of Arts (Honours) Modern History with Bible and Culture - UCAS code MB01
- Master of Arts (Honours) Philosophy with Bible and Culture - UCAS code PB01
- Master of Arts (Honours) Scottish History with Bible and Culture - UCAS code SB01
Careers
A degree in divinity gives you the opportunity for significant intellectual and personal development, and you will acquire a wide range of transferable skills. Those who have studied theology or biblical studies have learnt a range of skills including:
- textual
- historical
- analytical
- creative
- interpersonal
Graduates are in demand with employers who need rigorous but flexible thinkers with a broad knowledge base and an understanding of people and their religious and social contexts.
Recent graduates from the School of Divinity have, for example, become:
- graduate students in the UK and abroad
- religious studies teachers
- lay chaplains at schools
- ordained ministers
- journalists with the national and religious press
Other divinity graduates have gone on to become:
- trainee manager at a national bank
- art gallery assistant
- solicitor
- theatre director
- college principal
- business consultant
- social worker
- wine taster
Graduates have also gone on to postgraduate degrees in related areas here and at other top universities in the UK and across the world.
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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