Divinity BD BD (Hons)

University of St Andrews

The BD (Hons) in Divinity is a three-year course run by the School of Divinity. The course is only available to those who already hold an undergraduate degree and are now interested in focusing on theological and biblical studies. There is a four-year option for students who wish to also study biblical languages.

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 year, you will take modules covering both the Old and New Testaments, systematic theology, philosophy of religion, theological ethics, and the history of the early church.

Throughout all three years of your degree, you will take the required modules in Divinity only.

The skills you gain in detailed analytical study will prepare you for your second and third year, 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-word dissertation on a divinity topic chosen in consultation with teaching staff.

Careers

Most graduates from the BD take the course as part of their preparation for ordination. That said, 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.

Recent graduates from the School of Divinity have become:

• religious studies teachers
• lay chaplains at schools
• ordained ministers
• journalists with the national and religious press.

Others have gone on to become lawyers, corporate bankers, marketing managers, social workers, language therapists, and even wine tasters.