Theology MTheol (Hons)
2017 entry

The MTheol (Hons) in Theology is intended for those who wish to focus their university career on topics directly related to theological and biblical studies. You will study the history of Israel, the person of Jesus of Nazareth, Paul’s letters and the rapid growth of the early church, and contacts between Christianity and Greek and Roman philosophy.

In addition, you will examine Christian thought in depth, including church history and Christian ethics. Through your optional choices, you also have the opportunity to specialise within Divinity by studying subjects like world religions, Greek, Hebrew, the anthropology of religion, the Dead Sea Scrolls, pastoral care or moral reasoning, or to pursue interdisciplinary interests by taking advantage of the variety of subjects offered through the Faculties of Arts or Science.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

UCAS code

V618

Course type

Master of Theology (single Honours degree)

Course duration

Four years full time

Entry requirements

SQA Highers AAAB
GCE A-Levels AAA
IB points 36

For degrees combining more than one subject, the subject with the higher entry requirements determines the grades you need. You will also need to meet any further subject specific entrance requirements as outlined on their pages.

Find out more about international entry requirements.

Applications for 2017 entry for this course have now closed, see which courses are available for the upcoming academic year.

Do I need to have studied this subject before?

No previous knowledge of Biblical Studies or Theology is required.

Faculty entry requirements

You must also meet the Faculty of Divinity minimum qualifications. These vary depending on which qualifications you hold.  

Other qualifications

Passes in other examinations at equivalent levels and subjects may be accepted by the Dean of the Faculty.

Find out more about Faculty of Divinity entry requirements.

Course information

The MTheol (Hons) in Theology is a four-year course run by the School of Divinity. The course focuses on the teachings and practices of the Christian faith as rooted in biblical and theological studies, and considers the significance of faith today as well as the challenges to it. Students can expect to have the opportunity to engage with a number of specialist topics including, for example, the study of the biblical text in its original languages or the interactions of Christian theology with current scientific and philosophical developments.

During your first two years, you will take modules covering both the Old and New Testaments, systematic theology, theological ethics, and the history of the early church. You will also be able to choose optional modules which allow you to either consolidate your Divinity interests or to develop interdisciplinary ones. Students are encouraged to take New Testament Greek or Hebrew, but it is not required.

The skills you gain in detailed analytical study will prepare you for your final two years, during which you will take reading-centred modules intended to bring you into close contact with the primary texts of Christian theology and biblical studies. These modules provide transition from the broader thematic study of subjects to a more detailed analysis of texts and traditions.

Final year students must also complete a 10,000 to 12,000-word dissertation on a Theology topic chosen in consultation with teaching staff. 

Find out more about studying Divinity at St Andrews.

Modules

In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in Theology alongside additional Divinity modules or modules offered by the Faculties of Art or Science.

Typically, you will take two Theology modules per semester during your first two years, and two to four modules during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:

  • Theology: Issues and History: 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.
  • Introduction to Practical Theology and Theological Ethics: introduces students to the work of a number of practical theologians as well as key concepts from the history of Christian ethics, such as natural law, divine command, virtue ethics, the relation of scripture to ethics, and political theology.
  • Old Testament 1: Torah and Prophets: an introduction to the life, literature and religion of Ancient Israel, with particular consideration of the main literary types of the Old Testament literature.
  • New Testament 1: Jesus and the Gospels: consideration of the historical contexts of the New Testament texts, including political, socio-economic and religious factors within the Greco-Roman world and Early Judaism.

Students are encouraged to choose one of the following modules:

  • Hebrew 1: Introduction to Hebrew Language: aims to give students a sufficient knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew to be able to read and analyse prescribed texts. Continues on to Hebrew 2.
  • New Testament Greek 1: introduces the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek which will continue into New Testament Greek 2.

Students will take at least three of the following compulsory second-year modules: 

If you decide to take Theology in your third and fourth years, you choose from a wide variety of advanced options focusing on primary biblical and theological texts.

Theology Honours modules which have been offered in previous years include:

  • Christian Ethics and Contemporary Society
  • The Nature of Theology
  • Medieval Monastic Spirituality
  • Religious World of Dante
  • Creation and Chaos in the Old Testament and Ancient Near East
  • Book of Revelation and Apocalyptic Literature
  • Theology, Spirituality and Pastoral Care.

In fourth year, students also undertake a 10,000 to 12,000-word dissertation on a topic of their choice. The School provides significant support for the dissertation, with a breakdown of the assessment into different stages and a programme of seminars to assist in the development of advanced research and communication skills.

The modules listed here are the compulsory modules that students must take 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. A full list of all modules currently available can be found in the module catalogue.

Teaching

Teaching format

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).

Assessment

All sub-honours modules are assessed by 50% coursework and 50% written examinations. 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 provides feedback on every assessment, with a view to improving your performance in future.

Fees

Tuition fees for 2017 entry

Scotland and EU £1,820
Rest of the UK £9,250
Overseas £20,570

For overseas students, tuition fees will be fixed at this level for the duration of your programme.

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 in 2017.

Funding and scholarships

The University of St Andrews offers a number of scholarships and support packages to undergraduate students each year.

Find out more about undergraduate scholarships.

Your future

Careers

Graduates from the theological and biblical disciplines develop key transferable skills in critical thinking and in written and oral communication, which make them highly attractive to potential employers. Accordingly, employment prospects are usually wide ranging.

Previous graduates from the School of Divinity have found positions as:

  • graduate student in the UK and abroad
  • Religious Studies teacher
  • lay chaplain at school
  • ordained minister
  • journalist with the national and religious press
  • trainee manager at national bank
  • art gallery assistant
  • solicitor
  • theatre director
  • college principal
  • business consultant
  • social worker.                     

Others have gone on to become lawyers, corporate bankers, marketing managers, social workers, language therapists, even wine tasters, as well as vicars, chaplains and school teachers.

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.

Study abroad

The University is delighted to offer undergraduates a number of exciting opportunities to apply to spend a semester or year abroad as part of a St Andrews degree programme. St Andrews is partnered with large and small institutions, ancient and young, across the globe. What unites all of our programmes is the quality of the academic provision, ensuring that participation in a St Andrews Study abroad programme opens the door to a new and valuable academic experience at another world-class institution. Study Abroad for credit is permitted on existing University-approved programmes only.

Student life

From the outset, the University of St Andrews offers an array of events and opportunities which result in a truly unique student experience. Students participate in a range of traditions, notably, the red academic gown and the academic family, where older students adopt first year students as ‘children’ and help guide them in a system of mentoring. These traditions and the choice of over 150 sports clubs and student societies to choose from ensures a community feel amongst students from first year onwards.

Students of Theology may be interested in joining the St Mary’s College Society. The society organises social events for the staff and students of the School of Divinity. The Society is very active with Friday lunches, pub evenings, the annual dinner, the annual ball and the Christmas lunch. They also have a charitable and spiritual role within the college, raising money for different charities throughout the year.

The School of Divinity is located in St Mary’s College, one of the oldest and most historic parts of the University, where theology has been taught for over 500 years. Today, teaching takes place in seminar rooms and lecture theatres equipped with the latest technology both within St Mary’s and around the University. The Divinity library is housed in the historic King James Library, and students have their own common room in the former Principal’s House.

The town of St Andrews itself has lots to offer. As the campus is located around town, walking around you encounter ancient and modern buildings and areas of greenery and seaside which provide a rich, beautiful backdrop to learning. If you want a change of scenery, St Andrews' position near surrounding towns and cities such as Anstruther, Dundee and Edinburgh make it ideal for getting to know more about Scotland. Find out more about student life at the University of St Andrews.

Contact

School of Divinity
University of St Andrews
St Mary’s College
South Street
St Andrews
KY16 9JU

Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 2850
Email: divinity@st-andrews.ac.uk

Divinity website