Undergraduate Divinity opportunities 2020

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Why choose divinity at Edinburgh? School of Divinity Studying at the I fell in love with the programme, School of Divinity • We are ranked top 20 in the world by QS which is progressive, World University Rankings by Subject (, inclusive and wide divinity and ) 2020 School of Divinity of School ranging. The School of Divinity at the University of Theology investigates the Christian • We achieved an overall score of 95 per cent in Ellie Ashton Edinburgh is one of the largest centres religious tradition, and offers the the Complete University Guide (UK, 2020). 1st year MA (Hons) for the teaching and research of theology opportunity to concentrate on specific • You will become part of a vibrant, tight-knit Religious Studies and religious studies in the UK. We offer areas such as Biblical Studies, Theology community (450 students and 40 staff) based in degree programmes across a number and Ethics and the History of Christianity one of Edinburgh’s iconic buildings – New College. of related fields and seek to develop an in a Global Context. Our degrees allow understanding of the main phenomena of you to acquire a profound knowledge • Our small class sizes and an inspiring religion, such as belief systems, rituals, of your subject, as well as providing and highly qualified teaching community mythology, iconography, practices and opportunities for interdisciplinary study ensure you will get the most out of your degree ethics through a variety of methodologies. in language, philosophy, cultural studies, programme (average class size at pre-honours history, social ethics, sociology, the arts level is around 60, whilst at honours level average The discipline of Religious Studies is and geopolitics. class size is around 20). concerned with all aspects of religion, with all religions, and with the integral part they Our degrees address the big ideas that • We are one of the largest centres for teaching play in human culture. Religions influence cut across time and culture, and explore and research in theology and religious studies in most human endeavours, for good or ill, the way people’s beliefs influence the way the UK and have one of the largest religion and and a degree in Religious Studies provides we live. theology libraries on one site in the UK. insight into the various religious traditions Professor Helen Bond • You do not require any prior qualifications in that have shaped contemporary culture. Head of School, religious studies to take up the study of religion. School of Divinity Theology and religious studies at university are broader than religious studies or religious education at school. Our students come from backgrounds in arts, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. • The world needs people who are good at thinking about religion. Globally, nationally and locally – religion makes a difference to the world. Coronavirus update: April 2020 It affects politics, society, families, education, We intend to begin the 2020-21 culture and economics. Studying at Edinburgh, academic year as usual in September. with world class academics, will allow you to This brochure reflects these intentions. investigate religion at a time when its influence and We will let you know of any changes, importance have never been greater. and confirm start dates in our pre-arrival communications. 04 Divinity at the University of Edinburgh Divinity at the University of Edinburgh 05

Our degree programmes Studying a joint degree School of Divinity programme from the

School of Divinity of School Single Honours School of Divinity Four-year MA (Hons) Religious Studies V627 undergraduate MA (Hons) Theology QVV6 Joint degree programmes are a great way • The divinity and classics joint honours degree programme to study two subjects at the same time, degree programme brings together Bachelor of Divinity (BD) (Hons) V600 and Edinburgh offers several joint degree subjects that complement each other programmes with religious studies, with regard to the historical period Joint Honours theology and divinity. A joint degree covered, and to the Greek and programme can offer many benefits: heritage of Christianity in Europe Four-year MA (Hons) Religious Studies & English Literature VQ63 and North Africa. This joint degree • A joint degree qualification shows undergraduate programme gives you expertise in MA (Hons) Religious Studies & Scottish Literature V6Q3 employers that you can work across a degree programme handling the complex and diverse range of disciplines. MA (Hons) Divinity and Classics VQ68 approaches to reading classical cultures, MA (Hons) Philosophy and Theology VV56 • You get to study two subjects and and in assessing their continued can choose courses from across both contributions to contemporary culture. areas. Bachelor of Divinity (General and Honours) Watch our video about joint degree • Belief systems and religions underpin programmes at Three- or four-year BD (Ordinary) Three years much human narrative since the www.edin.ac/joint-degrees beginning of storytelling itself. undergraduate degree BD (Hons) Four years programme. Graduate entry For this reason studying religious option available. MDiv Graduate Entry (Hons) Three years studies alongside either English or Scottish literature can enhance your understanding and enjoyment of both. • Philosophy and theology overlap in many significant ways, both with regard to philosophers who have asked questions about the nature of existence and agency, and to theologians who have written theology with a firm eye on the development of the various philosophical traditions. Studying both develops analytical skills across the metaphysical, ethical and theological traditions that have shaped contemporary thinking. 06 Divinity at the University of Edinburgh Divinity at the University of Edinburgh 07

Introduction to your degree The benefits of a four year School of Divinity programme degree programme School of Divinity of School Award Studying abroad As a Scottish university, Edinburgh offers a flexible four-year honours degree programme*. The four-year degree programme offers a range of advantages. MA Honours, Bachelor of Divinity (MDIV), We offer undergraduate students the Bachelor of Divinity (BD Hons) (See page opportunity to undertake a wide range 4 for a full list of single and joint honours of international experiences. Living In Years 1 and 2, you can study subjects the culmination of your degree and the degree programmes) and studying abroad can broaden outside your key discipline, before demonstration of your abilities as an your horizons, enhance your academic Location specialising in Years 3 and 4. This allows independent scholar. perspective and help make the most of you to develop a breadth as well as a The added experience and intellectual Central Area your time as an undergraduate student. depth of knowledge, expanding your depth acquired over four years is widely academic range and enhancing your Awarding body The University of Edinburgh is currently recognised and greatly valued by participating in the Erasmus programme student experience. The University of Edinburgh employers. which enables students to access funding Your final ‘honours’ Years 3 and 4 allow for a period of study or work abroad * The above does not apply to the MDIV Duration you to focus on your subject in depth, and (Bachelor of Divinity) degree which is a Four years (full time) for Honours degrees in Europe. The UK’s participation in the fourth year dissertation – comprising three-year degree. and three or four for the graduate entry Erasmus beyond 2021 will depend on a piece of original research – represents MDIV (Bachelor of Divinity) negotiations between the EU and the UK. However, we will continue to offer students Academic year opportunities to study abroad in Europe Comprises two semesters: regardless of the outcome of these September to December negotiations but there may be a change to Everything you need to know January to May currently available exchange destinations and number of exchange places available Timetables if the UK is no longer part of Erasmus. about option courses These are usually available after As these are on-going negotiations we consultation with your Personal Tutor will regularly update our webpages on For most of our degrees, because of be interested in before you arrive. In and option course selection in Week developments. the four-year degree structure, you get Welcome Week, the Academic Fair is a 1, Semester 1. Scheduled teaching For degree programmes starting in 2020 the chance to take a number of option chance to see all the courses on offer can take place on any day of the week, that have a compulsory period of study or courses outside your key discipline in and discuss them in more depth. Your but Wednesday afternoons are usually work abroad in Europe the University will your first and second year. There are a Personal Tutor can also advise you on reserved for sport and cultural activity. guarantee funding equivalent to current wide range of courses to choose from. your choices when you meet him/her in Erasmus grants, with the exception of Your choice might be based on enhancing the first weeks of semester one. students studying in Switzerland. or complementing your degree – or you Please note the Bachelor of Divinity may choose something totally unrelated For further information www.ed.ac.uk/ (Hons) (BD) and the MDIV Bachelor of – based purely on interest. It’s a good global/go-abroad Divinity do not offer option courses. idea to consider courses you might 08 Divinity at the University of Edinburgh Divinity at the University of Edinburgh 09 School of Divinity Detailed degree Year 4 Philosophy & Theology (MA Hons) You will choose further advanced courses programme content on one or more religious traditions and Year 1 and 2 complete a supervised dissertation. You will study courses in philosophy and School of Divinity of School Students who took combined options in choose further courses from Theology Divinity (BD and MDiv) Religious Studies (MA Hons) Years 1-3 may continue with these. and Ethics, Biblical Studies, History of Christianity, and Religious Studies. You Year 1 and 2 Year 1 can also choose courses from a broad Theology (MA Hons) range of university subject areas. You will choose from courses in Biblical You will study two compulsory Studies, the History of Christianity and religion courses, covering a range of Theology and Ethics. In Year 2, you can contemporary international traditions, and Year 1 and 2 Year 3 also choose a course in Religious Studies. also choose from a range of additional You will choose courses from Biblical You will choose advanced level courses in courses on particular religious traditions Studies, the History of Christianity, Philosophy, Theology and Ethics. including Asian religions, Christianity and Religious Studies, and Theology and Year 3 Islam. You can also choose courses from Ethics. You will also have the option to In Years 3 and 4 you will choose from a ancient history, history of art, classics, choose courses from a broad range of Year 4 range of advanced level courses in Biblical music, Scottish history, politics, social university subject areas. You will continue to choose advanced level Studies, the History of Christianity, and anthropology, social policy and sociology courses in Philosophy and Theology and Theology and Ethics. You may choose as combined options, or courses from Ethics and will also write a dissertation to focus on one subject area in depth, or other university subject areas. Year 3 chosen from either of the two fields, with continue to study several subject areas. You will choose advanced courses from academic supervision. On the BD (Hons), you may choose to Year 2 your area(s) of interest within Biblical graduate after Year 3 with an ordinary Studies, the History of Christianity, degree. On the MDiv (Hons) you will write You will study two compulsory religion Religious Studies and Theology and your supervised dissertation and graduate courses and other courses following on Ethics. You have the option of graduating at the end of Year 3 with an honours from your first year. after Year 3 with an ordinary degree. degree.

Year 3 Year 4 Year 4 You will choose advanced courses on You will continue to choose advanced You will continue to take advanced level one or more religious traditions and will courses from Biblical Studies, the History courses, and also write a supervised take other courses in the study of religion. of Christianity, Religious Studies and dissertation on a subject of your choice. Students who took combined options in Theology and Ethics. You will also write Years 1 and 2 may continue with these. a supervised dissertation on a subject of You have the option of graduating after your choice. Year 3 with an ordinary degree. School of Divinity areas. courses fromotheruniversitysubject Scottish Literature2.You canalsochoose courses andEnglishLiterature2or You willstudytwocompulsoryreligion Year 2 broad rangeofuniversitysubjectareas. 1. You canalsochoosecoursesfroma English Literature1orScottish contemporary internationaltraditions,and religion courses,coveringarangeof You willstudytwocompulsory Year 1 Scottish Literature(MAHons) Religious Studies&English/ 10 Divinity attheUniversityofEdinburgh academic supervision. in eitherreligioustraditionsorliterature,with and willcompleteadissertationonsubject You willchoosefurtheradvancedcourses Year 4 literature coursesatanadvancedlevel. cross-cultural contextsandwilltake religious traditionsininternationaland You willcontinuetostudyoneormore Year 3 Support Teaching gym facilitiesintheUK. Some ofthebestuniversitysports and 2,300 studyspacesand24hour access. The UniversityLibraryhasmore than class studentsupport. close byandasocialisinghallfirst- taught courseswithfurthercollections library ofessentialreadingmaterialfor community, theSchool offersaonsite As wellasavibrant,tight-knit, student based intheiconicNewCollegebuilding. As aSchoolofDivinitystudent,youwillbe Facilities will havethechancetodiscusstopics meetings calledtutorials,whereyou conducted inlecturesandsmallgroup In Years 1and2teachingismostly Types ofteaching work. when personalcircumstancesaffectyour you needtotaketimeout,oradvice your optioncourses,whattodowhen journey, includingadviceonchoosing and advicethroughoutyouracademic Personal Tutor whocanofferassistance When youarrivewillbeassigneda one-to-one supervision. one-to-one supervision. research andproduceadissertation,with your finalyearyouwillconductown participation inseminarbasedcourses.In assessed byamixofessays,examsand youwillbe 4 and exams.InYearsand 3 a mixofcontinuousassessment,essays youwillbeassessedby 2 In Yearsand 1 Assessment courses andindependentstudy. shifts tomorespecialised,seminar-based course. InYears 3and4theemphasis around 4contacthoursperweek in greaterdetail.Usuallyyouwillhave Divinity attheUniversityofEdinburgh

11 School of Divinity of School School of Divinity • • • www.ed.ac.uk/careers • www.ed.ac.uk/careers/schools • Our services achieve asatisfyingandrewardingfuture. gain theskillsandexperiencethatwillensureyouareaswellpreparedpossibleto In anincreasinglycompetitiveemploymentenvironment,weoffermanyopportunitiesto development andemployability, alongsideyouracademicstudies. your potential.We supportyoutogainexperiencethatwillenhanceyourpersonal We are here toinspireandempoweryoubethebestcanfullydevelop the momentyouarrive,notjustinyourfinalyear, souseusfromdayone. The University’sCareerServicelookstoenhanceyouruniversityexperiencefrom The CareersService 12 IT, andmuchmore. creative careers,sustainability, themed events,volunteering, Careers events;jobfairs, advice. CV andapplications Careers consultations. and socialmedia. 24/7 viaourwebsites,blogs the MainLibrary, andavailable person viaourdrop-incentrein advice;in Information and and one-to-ones. information resources,sessions targeted offering School your for A dedicatedcareersconsultant Divinity attheUniversityofEdinburgh • • • • Information andadvice

https://mycareerhub.ed.ac.uk dedicated jobssite: graduate jobs,andmore,viaour information, internships, Part-time andvacationjobs with us. been partofduringyourtime extracurricular activitiesyou’ve transcript foradditionalworkand recognition onyourfinal The EdinburghAward -get Go Abroadopportunities. the Universityandbeyondit. Volunteering opportunitieswithin Alumni profiles Investment, MAReligious Studies Managing Director atFirstState Chris Turpin of thoughtintheirbusinesses. tofosterdiversity academic backgrounds withalternative looking forgraduates andemployersof careers are increasingly forawide range are excellentplatforms Studiesdegrees Theology andReligious developed at inmy timeat Edinburgh. thatfrom I thestrong senseofcuriosity my ofcareer, choice but Ibenefitedmost College have definitely mewell served in The analytical skillsIacquired at New tohavefortunate hadthisopportunity. andIfeelextremelycultural experience Archaeology. This was anunforgettable studyingJerusalem Biblical Hebrew and a summermonthat theUniversity of the endofmy thirdyear whenIspent building. The highlightformecameat significant beautiful andhistorically a tostudy insuch genuine privilege ofNew College.memories Itwas a University andhave many happy atI hadafantastic fouryears Edinburgh interests. perfectly myMA programme matched Studies andtheReligious childhood I’ve beenfascinated by since religions andLanguages. Religions Near Eastern at New Collegespecialisingin Ancient I completedmy degree undergraduate Philosophy andTheology Manager atPwC,MA(Hons) Ellie Williams unfamiliar environments. ofworkingme forthechallenge innew, time at New Collegedefinitely prepared that itbrings.office andthecomforts My days onclientsite–away from my home PwC and, of my aspart role, I work most I work asaManagementConsultantwith skills nearly every day inmy job. always thinklike Idid. Idraw onallthese cultures andbeliefswhere peopledidn’t workingto experience withdifferent It provided asafeenvironment forme arguments. ideasandconstruct challenge how toadaptmy communication style, time at New Collegehelpedmelearn foundations fortheworking world. My University provided mewithessential in Australia. Ihadtostudy the fantastic opportunity had inRainy Hall, year lectures first and asallthefun timesI time there –such and Ihave ofmy many fondmemories from NewI graduated Collegein2013 Divinity attheUniversityofEdinburgh

13 School of Divinity of School School of Divinity at ApplePodcasts. contemporary studyofreligion.Available and methodologiesinthefascinating important concepts,traditions,scholars and reliableaccountsofthemost fields. Itprovidesengaging,concise scholars ofreligiousstudiesandrelated featuring aweeklyinterviewwithleading An internationallyfocussedpodcast The ReligiousStudiesProject 2016). (Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell, Theology: AnIntroduction,6thedition McGrath,Christian Alister E. you arrive: We’ve puttogetheralistofresourcestogetyouthinkingaboutoursubjectsbefore Religious Studies Get readyforTheologyand 14 Divinity attheUniversityofEdinburgh September. reading listswillbeavailablein interest only, yourcourseacademic Please notetheseresourcesare for http://trs.ac.uk institutes ofhighereducation. of theologyandreligiousstudiesin A nationalforumforscholarsandteachers Theology andReligiousStudiesUK research/centres See https://www.ed.ac.uk/divinity/ • • • • • • Christianity: can findoutmoreabouttheologyand specialist researchnetworkswhereyou We have threecentresandanumberof School ResearchCentres Literature and Scottish NetworkforReligion StudiesNetwork Edinburgh Buddhist StudiesNetwork Christian-Muslim Origins Centre fortheStudyofChristian Issues andPublic Centre forTheology Christianity Centre fortheStudyofWorld www.edin.ac/student-life What dostudentsthink? http://transportforedinburgh.com Transport inandaroundthecity www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/sport Sports www.ed.ac.uk/student-disability-service Student DisabilityService www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/facilities Facilities andsupportservices www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding Financial Support www.UCAS.com Where doIapplyandtrackmyapplication? www.ed.ac.uk/studying/my-offer My offer www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply How doIapply? www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/accommodation Where canIfindoutaboutAccommodation? www.ed.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees Degree programmelistings Useful links

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©The University of Edinburgh 2020 No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the University. The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336