Application deadline

Thursday 7 August 2025

Applicants should apply as early as possible to be eligible for certain scholarships.

“The professors and lecturers – world-class scholars in their own right – are well-connected in the theological world and have brought distinguished minds from across the world to engage with the students. A seminar of five students will have two-three scholars who engage the frontiers of current research providing an exceptional learning experience. ”

Cameron
- Massachusetts, USA

Entry requirements

A 2.1 undergraduate Honours degree in Theology, Philosophy (with a religious component) or Biblical Exegesis. If you studied your first degree outside the UK, see the international entry requirements.
English language proficiency. See English language tests and qualifications.

The qualifications listed are indicative minimum requirements for entry. Some academic Schools will ask applicants to achieve significantly higher marks than the minimum. Obtaining the listed entry requirements will not guarantee you a place, as the University considers all aspects of every application including, where applicable, the writing sample, personal statement, and supporting documents.

Application requirements

CV or résumé. This should include your personal details with a history of your education and employment to date.
personal statement (optional)
sample of your own, single-authored academic written work (2,000 words)
two original signed academic references
academic transcripts and degree certificates.

For more guidance, see supporting documents and references for postgraduate taught programmes.

English language proficiency

If English is not your first language, you may need to provide an English language test score to evidence your English language ability. See approved English language tests and scores for this course.

Course details

The MLitt in Analytic and Exegetical Theology is a one-year taught programme run by the Logos Institute in the School of Divinity. The programme is aimed at students who are interested in engaging central theological topics at a taught Masters level and are considering progressing to pursue doctoral research.

This is an intellectually rigorous programme which introduces students to interdisciplinary engagement with major theological themes at an advanced level. The course draws on research in biblical studies and analytic philosophy while embodying the methodological commitments and intellectual ideals that characterise analytic theology.

Highlights

Introduces students to a new development in the field of theology, 'analytic theology', while developing skills in the critical assessment of theological doctrines in dialogue with key constructive developments in biblical scholarship and analytic philosophical theology.
A research component allows students to apply the skills, academic principles and methods of analytic theology learned in the course to explore a key area in the contemporary debate.
Equips students with high-level general intellectual and theological training to allow them to enter challenging careers in research and elsewhere.

Modules

The modules published below are examples of what has been taught in previous academic years and may be subject to change before you start your course. For more details of each module, including weekly contact hours, teaching methods and assessment, please see the module catalogue.

Compulsory
Dissertation

Analytic Theology: God, History and Revelation: provides an overview of analytic theology, focusing on the field-changing developments that have taken place in Christian analytic philosophy over the last four decades.
The Good Life and the Good Death: Theological and Practical Ethics: explores how ethical concepts, and their practical application, relate to various (and often competing) theological and philosophical conceptions of the Good Life and the Good Death, using a range of important historical and contemporary moral theologians and philosophers.
Persons: Divine and Human: assesses the concept of the ‘person’ as used to describe the nature of God and the Trinity on the one hand, and the nature of human beings on the other.
Reconciliation: Divine and Human: explores the doctrine of reconciliation and its implications for human relationships.

Student dissertations are supervised by members of the teaching staff who advise on the choice of subject and provide guidance throughout the research process.

Students begin their dissertations at the start of Semester 2, but will have time for particular focus during the three months in summer. The completed dissertation of 15,000 words must be submitted by a date specified in August.

If students choose not to complete the dissertation requirement for the MLitt, there are exit awards available that allow suitably qualified candidates to receive a Postgraduate Diploma. By choosing an exit award, you will finish your degree at the end of the second semester of study and receive a PGDip instead of an MLitt.

The MLitt comprises two semesters of taught modules. During Semester 2, but with particular focus during the summer months, you will begin researching and writing the final component of the MLitt, a 15,000-word dissertation.

Teaching methods include:

lectures
one-to-one discussions
seminars
class presentations.

Class sizes in the School of Divinity typically range from six to 12 students.

Assessment may include:

seminar presentations
extended essays
end-of-semester written examinations.

Events

MLitt students are encouraged to take full advantage of the Logos Institute which offers seminar discussions, conferences, dinners and other activities.

In addition, the School of Divinity regularly hosts international conferences and smaller symposia on themes across the field of biblical and theological studies.

Previous Divinity conferences.

Fees

Home
£12,030

Overseas
£25,900

Application fee

Before we can begin processing your application, a payment of an application fee of £50 is required. In some instances, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver. Details of this, along with information on our tuition fees, can be found on the postgraduate fees and funding page.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews is committed to attracting the very best students, regardless of financial circumstances.

15% Recent Graduate Discount

If you have graduated from the University within the last three academic years, you may be eligible for a 15% discount on postgraduate taught tuition fees. Terms and conditions apply.

Taught postgraduate scholarships Postgraduate loans

After your degree

Careers

Students on the MLitt programme are provided with the skills they need to succeed in an international job market, both academic and non-academic. 

Regular workshops, both general and subject-specific, in areas such as publishing, conference presentations, and job searches are offered by the School of Divinity and the University.

The Careers Centre offers one-to-one advice to all students as well as a programme of events to assist students in building their employability skills.

Further study

In addition to the MLitt, the School offers a two-year residential Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree option in Analytic and Exegetical Theology.

Many Divinity graduates continue their education by enrolling in PhD programmes at St Andrews or elsewhere in the UK and abroad.

Postgraduate research

What to do next

Information sessions

Meet our staff, learn more, and ask questions about how our courses can work for you.

Contact us

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2826
Email: divinitypg@st-andrews.ac.uk
Address: School of Divinity
St Mary's College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU

School of Divinity website

Analytic and Exegetical Theology (MLitt) 2025 entry