Introduction
Theology 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.
BTh Theology is also available to study in September or January, full-time or part-time online.
Study Information
At a Glance
- Learning Mode
- On Campus Learning
- Degree Qualification
- BTh
- Duration
- 48 months
- Study Mode
- Full Time
- Start Month
- September
- UCAS Code
- V612
Theology and Divinity 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.
Theology 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 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, 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 will have gained, media and journalism, public service and administration, the NGO sector, business, government service, publishing, education and research.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
View the Aberdeen Global ScholarshipWhat You'll Study
Theology at Aberdeen is a diverse programme that offers a range of fascinating courses. The analytical and comparative skills that you will develop will help prepare you for a wide variety of careers. Some of the topics that you will study on this course include the Hebrew Bible; The Founders of Christianity, the New Testament, Ancient Israel, Christian Doctrine and Practice, Anthropological Theories of Religion, The Origins of Christology and The Reformation in Scotland.
- Year 1
-
Compulsory Courses
- 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, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
Optional Courses
Plus further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credit points.
Plus at least 60 credit points from level 1 courses in Divinity or the following approved courses
- Latin 1 (LT1009)
-
15 Credit Points
Latin 1 is an introductory, intensive course for those with little or no previous exposure to Latin. Students completing this course should have a Latin vocabulary of about 400 words and a basic understanding of Latin grammar and syntax. Students successfully completing this course will be adequately prepared to attend Latin 2. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin. The etymological roots of many English words can be traced to the Latin language.
- Latin 2 (LT1507)
-
15 Credit Points
Latin 2 picks up where Latin 1 finished in first term. By the end of this course students should have a more or less comprehensive understanding of Latin syntax and grammar, a Latin vocabulary of 700-800 words, and should be capable of translating simple Latin texts into idiomatic English. Students will very likely discover that their knowledge of English vocabulary and grammar/syntax is improved by their study of Latin.
- Year 2
-
Compulsory Courses
At least 60 credit points from level 2 courses in Divinity.
Optional Courses
Plus further credit points from courses of choice to gain a total of 120 credits.
- Year 3
-
Compulsory Courses
120 credit points worth of courses of which 90 credit points must be from level 3 courses in Divinity.
- Year 4
-
Optional Courses
Select ONE of the following dissertation options:
- DR4044 Dissertation
- DR4544 Dissertation
Plus a further 90 credit points from level 4 courses in Divinity.
- 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 change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page. In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips.
How You'll Study
The School of Divinity, History and Philosophy emphasises a flexible approach to teaching and assessment, utilising a combination of small and large group teaching assessed through examinations, essays and presentations. Honours students write a dissertation on a subject of their choice approved by a supervisor.
Learning Methods
- Individual Projects
- 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 Theology?
- Divinity and Theology at Aberdeen received 100% for overall student satisfaction by the National Student Survey (NSS) 2021.
- The University of Aberdeen has a tradition of theological study and excellence dating back to when it first opened in 1495.
- This programme offers a vast array of courses, including Biblical languages, the history of the Church in the West and the Reformation in Scotland.
- You will benefit from having the opportunity to study courses that particularly interest you, ensuring that you achieve the highest grade you can.
- Our department is host to an international community of scholars who study all aspects of theology and ministry.
- You will benefit from the department's close links to religious studies specialists.
- You will have access to excellent library facilities, beautiful surroundings, and a warm welcome.
- At Aberdeen, we keep our class sizes small, so that you can share your thoughts and ideas with teaching staff and other students.
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
- 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.
- 2026 Entry
-
SQA Highers
Standard: Applicants that present with BBBB, will usually receive an unconditional offer. Where we have more applicants than places we may need to ask for more than the minimum so continued engagement in school is recommended.
Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies is preferred.
Widening Access: Applicants who meet one or more of our widening access metrics and present with BBC, are guaranteed an unconditional offer.
Foundation Apprenticeship: One FA is equivalent to a Higher at A. It cannot replace any required subjects.
Note: We do not double count a Higher and Advanced Higher in the same subject, but we do consider that a B grade at Advanced Higher is equivalent to an A grade at Higher.
National 5 in English (or equivalent) at Grade C or above is also required.
A LEVELS
Standard: BBC.
Religious Studies is preferred.Widening Access: Three A Levels at CCC for applicants who meet one or more widening access criteria.
GCSE English or English Literature at Grade C/4 or above is also required.
BTEC LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA
DMM in related subjects.
Note: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (Subsidiary Diploma), achieved at Distinction level, is normally acceptable in lieu of one ALevel at grade B.
GCSE English or English Literature at Grade C/4 or above is also required.
IRISH LEAVING CERTIFICATE
Five subjects at Higher at H3.
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
32 points or above at HL 5, 5, 5.
SL English is also required.
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.
Fees and Funding
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
| Fee category | Cost |
|---|---|
| EU / International students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £20,800 |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year (Self-funded Students *) | £14,800 |
| Home Students | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £1,820 |
| England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland | |
| Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year | £9,535 |
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
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.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.Funding Database
View all funding options in our Funding Database.
Careers
Studying Theology at Aberdeen will help you prepare for a wide range of careers. The University places a strong emphasis on applied learning and the skills that you learn will help you meet the requirements of top employers. Many of our graduates continue their studies at postgraduate level and go on to be involved in internationally recognised research programmes. Other graduates have found employment in a wide range of areas, including the churches, media and journalism, teaching, public service and administration, the NGO sector, business, government and publishing.
Accreditation
This degree holds accreditation from
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
Aberdeen’s Department of Divinity and Religious Studies is one of the highest ranked departments in the United Kingdom for research. Many of our Theology graduates have gone on to study at postgraduate level and are now involved in internationally recognised research. The School of Divinity, History and Philosophy is home to one of the largest populations of postgraduate students at the University of Aberdeen.
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Get in Touch
Contact Details
- Address
-
Student Recruitment & Admissions
University of Aberdeen
University Office
Regent Walk
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX