“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 and Minimum entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.
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- Standard entry grades:
- AAAB
- Minimum entry grades:
- AABB
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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
- Lifeskills Mathematics (A grade)
- 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.
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.
Do I need to have studied this subject before?
No previous knowledge is required.
Course details
The Religion in Society element of a four-year Honours course is run by the School of Divinity. The course focuses on the use of religion in and by contemporary societies, as well as how it is understood and practiced in the wider, non-Christian world.
In your first three years, you will take compulsory modules focusing on a broad knowledge of Theology, World Religions, the Bible and Religious practices. These modules aim to prepare you for the modules your will take in your final year. Each year of the programme, you will take modules from your other subject as well.
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 one or two compulsory modules per year in Religion in Society along with modules from your other chosen subject.
Alongside Religion in Society, in the first year of your studies, you will be required to study an additional two subjects. One of these will be your other chosen subject and you will have the opportunity to explore a third subject as well. Find out more about how academic years are organised.
During your third and fourth years (known as Honours) you will take one Religion in Society module per year. The balance of your modules will be in your chosen other subject.
Students take one of the following modules:
- 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.
- Introducing World Religions: 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 analysises rituals through film and video making use of social medial with the inclusion of guest lecturers.
- From Adam to Apocalypse: The Bible and Western Culture: surveys the Bible from start to finish to provide a basic biblical literacy; and examines the Bible’s reception throughout history and its role in modern day culture.
Students will take the following compulsory second-year module:
- Reading Religion(s): Understanding the Dimensions of Religion and the Religions of the 21st Century: examines the tradition of a religion, some main concepts, the impact on ethics and politics, the internal structure and how religion shapes the understanding of being human. It looks at fundamentalist phenomena as the downsides of religious illiteracy.
And one of:
- Old Testament: Writings and Beyond A (English Texts): the literature and theology of the period of Israel's history from exile to the consolidation of the canon.
- Christ, Paul, and the Origins of Christianity A (English Texts): examines the 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.
In third year, students will take the following compulsory module, and the modules from the other subject in your Honours programme.
- Religious Practices in Socio-Political Contexts: offers an introduction to the study of religious practices in different areas of life, investigating the ways in which religious practices are influenced by social and political environments and, in turn, shape their contexts is the main focus of the module.
Fourth year students will choose one module for the Religion in Society element of their degree. Modules available in previous years have included:
- Christian Ethics and Contemporary Society
- Christian Mysticism through the Ages
- Christianity and Politics: Patriotism, Republicanism, and Cosmopolitanism
- Ecotheology and the Arts
- God in Ancient Thought
- Native American Religions
- Themes and Texts in Christian-Buddhist Dialogue
- The History of the Bible
- Theology and Literature
The compulsory modules listed here must be taken in order to graduate in this subject. However, most students at St Andrews take additional modules, either in their primary subject or from other subjects they are interested in. For Honours level, students choose from a range of Honours modules, some of which are listed above. A full list of all modules appropriate to the programme for the current academic year can be found in the programme requirements.
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.
Sub-honours modules are assessed by a mixture of coursework and examinations, or just coursework. 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 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.
Fees
Scotland
£1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
£9,250
Channel Islands, Isle of Man
£9,250
EU and overseas
£30,160
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 students each year.
Careers
A degree that includes 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 biblical studies or theology 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:
- journalists with the national and religious press
- a trainee manager at a national bank
- an art gallery assistant
- a solicitor
- a theatre director
- a college principal
- a business consultant
- a social worker
- a 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