Undergraduate Divinity opportunities 2020 www.ed.ac.uk 02 Divinity at the University of Edinburgh 03 Why choose divinity at Edinburgh? Divinity of School 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 (theology, inclusive and wide divinity and religious studies) 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 Divinity of School 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 Latin 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 Divinity of School 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 of School 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.