Introduction
Divinity at Aberdeen focuses on the study of the Christian faith and tradition in the context of its history, institutions and its role today. Whether you have a personal, vocational or intellectual interest in learning more about the Christian faith, or want to explore the world's major religions, Aberdeen is the place for you. You will gain accreditation with the Church of Scotland and great transferable skills which open a wide range of career options, in addition to ministry.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- BD
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- V600
Divinity and Theology degrees at Aberdeen both concentrate on the study of Christian faith, life and doctrine in its historical, institutional and contemporary contexts, and both the Bachelor of Divinity and Bachelor of Theology degrees are accredited by the Church of Scotland.
Divinity has been taught at Aberdeen since the university was founded in 1495. You will join an international community of students and leading academics carrying forward this 500+ years of tradition in the highest-quality teaching and researching in all aspects of theology and ministry and with close links to experts in all the world’s major religions.
You will explore the history of the church, the Old and New Testaments, practical theology and theological ethics and choose from a vast array of courses including Biblical languages, the history of the Church in the West, the Reformation in Scotland, classical and contemporary Christian doctrine, the role of religion in ethical and political debates, and religious aspects of disability.
You will get to grips with the ancient languages of Hebrew, Greek and Latin, study the Quran, Confucian and Daoist sacred texts, explore the anthropology and sociology of religion and examine the links between spirituality, health and healing.
In addition to ministry and other roles in the church, your career options will be wide due to the intellectual skills you’ve gained, media and journalism, public service and administration, the NGO sector, business, government service, publishing, education and research.
What You'll Study
- Year 1
-
Compulsory Courses
- DR1091 History and Religion of Ancient Israel
- DR109E Jesus in History and Culture
- DR101E What it Means to be Dead!
- DR1599 Theology from Jesus to Calvin: the History of Christian Thought
- DR152A Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics
- Academic Writing for Divinity, History & Philosophy (AW1007)
-
This compulsory evaluation is designed to find out if your academic writing is of a sufficient standard to enable you to succeed at university and, if you need it, to provide support to improve. It is completed on-line via MyAberdeen with clear instructions to guide you through it. If you pass the evaluation at the first assessment it will not take much of your time. If you do not, you will be provided with resources to help you improve. This evaluation does not carry credits but if you do not complete it this will be recorded on your degree transcript.
- Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
-
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students (and articulating students who are in their first year at the University), is studied entirely online, takes approximately 5-6 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across a number of weeks.
Topics include orientation overview, equality and diversity, health, safety and cyber security and how to make the most of your time at university in relation to careers and employability.
Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Enhanced Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
Select 15 credit points from level 1 Divinity courses of choice, plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 2
-
Compulsory Courses
- DR2047 History and Religion of Ancient Israel
- DR202E Jesus in History and Culture
- DR201E What it Means to be Dead!
- DR2599 Theology from Jesus to Calvin: the History of Christian Thought
- DR250A Ancient Empires: Religion, Power and Politics
Optional Courses
Select 15 credit points from level 2 Divinity courses of choice, plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 3
-
Optional Courses
Select 90 credit points from Divinity courses of choice at level 3 or above, plus 30 credit points from courses of choice.
- Year 4
-
Optional Courses
Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
- DR4044 Dissertation (first semester)
- DR4544 Dissertation (second semester)
Plus select 90 credit points from courses of choice, at least 60 of which must be from Divinity courses at level 4.
- Dissertation (DR4044)
-
30 Credit Points
This course involves the writing of a dissertation in one of the sub-disciplines in Divinity and Religious Studies. Independent Research work is done under the supervision of a member of staff. The dissertation is an extended essay, of no more than 10,000 words inclusive of references. Please note the 10,000 words does not include the bibliography
- Dissertation (DR4544)
-
30 Credit Points
This course involves the writing of a dissertation in one of the sub-disciplines in Divinity and Religious Studies. Independent Research work is done under the supervision of a member of staff. The dissertation is an extended essay, of no more than 10,000 words inclusive of references. Please note the 10,000 words does not include the bibliography
We will endeavour to make all course options available; however, these may be subject to timetabling and other constraints. Please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
How You'll Study
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- Lectures
- Research
- Tutorials
Assessment Methods
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
- Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course.
- Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course.
- Written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Divinity?
- Bachelor of Divinity degree accredited by the Church of Scotland. If you'd like to learn more about Church of Scotland ministry vocations.
- An international community of eminent professors, including leading author and influential thinker Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics.
- A wide variety of courses: from biblical languages to the Reformation in Scotland and from Buddhist philosophy to the stories of the prophets in Islam.
- Specialist research and teaching centres include the Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology (ACPT), the Centre for Ministry Studies, the Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability and the Kairos Forum for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
- Aberdeen has produced many notable Aberdeen scholars and theologians, including John Forbes, George Campbell, William Milligan, William Robertson Smith, David S. Cairns, G. D. Henderson, Darrell L. Bock, Donald A. Hagner, Craig Blomberg, and Joel B. Green.
- The inspiration for the beautiful King’s College Chapel, begun in 1495 by University founder Bishop Elphinstone, a treasure-house of history and religious turbulence and today a precious inter-faith space for a multi-faith university community.
- Major international treasures in the Library’s Special Collections Centre, including the archives of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland pre-1878 and fascinating local records of local estates and families dating from the Middle Ages.
- Spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, combines top-class study facilities with state-of-the-art technology and the dedicated Divinity Library with an extensive collection of theological material.
- A packed campus programme of student and public events, including theological lectures, café discussions, exhibitions, seminars, and the annual May Festival, attracting thousands to discuss and debate with high profile speakers, scientists, authors and broadcasters the big issues facing our world today.
Entry Requirements
Qualifications
The information below is provided as a guide only and does not guarantee entry to the University of Aberdeen.
General Entry Requirements
- 2024 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: AABB
Applicants who have achieved AABB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who achieve BB over S4 and S5 and who meet one of the widening access criteria are guaranteed a conditional offer. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBB
Minimum: BBC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
- 2025 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: BBBB
Applicants who have achieved BBBB (or better), are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/ Advanced Highers may be required.
Minimum: BBB
Applicants who have achieved BBB (or are on course to achieve this by the end of S5) are encouraged to apply and will be considered. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will normally be required.
Adjusted: BB
Applicants who achieve BB over S4 and S5 and who meet one of the widening access criteria are guaranteed a conditional offer. Good performance in additional Highers/Advanced Highers will be required.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC
Minimum: BCC
Adjusted: CCC
More information on our definition of Standard, Minimum and Adjusted entry qualifications.
International Baccalaureate
32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
Irish Leaving Certificate
5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Divinity and Theology degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
IELTS Academic:
OVERALL - 6.0 with: Listening - 5.5; Reading - 5.5; Speaking - 5.5; Writing - 6.0
TOEFL iBT:
OVERALL - 78 with: Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing - 21
PTE Academic:
OVERALL - 59 with: Listening - 59; Reading - 59; Speaking - 59; Writing - 59
Cambridge English B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency:
OVERALL - 169 with: Listening - 162; Reading - 162; Speaking - 162; Writing - 169
Read more about specific English Language requirements here.
International Applicants
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| RUK | £9,250 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
| EU / International students | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year | |
| Home Students | £1,820 |
| Tuition Fees for 2024/25 Academic Year |
Scholarships and Funding
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
International Applicants
Further Information about tuition fees and the cost of living in Aberdeen
Additional Fees
- In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
- For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our InfoHub Tuition Fees page.
Our Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability. This is essential for your future career success. The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.
- More information on employability at the University of Aberdeen
- More information on the Careers and Employability Service
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. Staff changes will occur from time to time; please see our InfoHub pages for further information.
Discover Uni
Discover Uni draws together comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study. You can compare these and other data for different degree programmes in which you are interested.
Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX