Recent Alumni stories

We caught up with our recent graduates to find out which career paths they have taken and how they found life at the School of Divinity.

Antonia Church

We interviewed Antonia, a newly qualified solicitor, who started her journey studying Philosophy and Theology at Edinburgh. Find out how the skills and knowledge she gained at New College play an important part in her current work!

New College is pretty spectacular. It’s almost romantic studying in such a historical and special place. It made me fall in love with my subject, being surrounded by a piece of history. The New College library is a great place to work.

Colour head and shoulders photo of Antonia Church looking at the camera

Caleb Warren-Smith

Caleb tells us how he channeled his passion for culture and Islamic Studies into his current role in the Department for Business and Trade as Head of Cross-Government Strategy.

New College has a collegiate feel – it’s small and I loved the intimacy of it when studying. The closeness between students and academics was quite special and that sense of community was something that I wasn't getting in other parts of my university life.

Colour head and shoulders photo of Caleb Warren-Smith

Eliza Light

Eliza Light graduated with an MA in Philosophy and Theology and is now a Production Coordinator at Daydreamer VFX. She shares how important it is to trust in your instincts and be confident in yourself.

If you told me a year ago when I was graduating back in July 2024 that I would be producing the post on music videos for artists like Fontaines DC, Little Simz, and Lorde, I wouldn’t have believed you!

Colour head and shoulders photo of Eliza Light

Jamilla Mohammed

Jamilla Mohamed graduated with an MA Religious Studies and is now on a Leadership Development Programme with Management Development Service (MDS). Being the first in her family to go to University, she tells us about her love and passion for religious studies and how she found her unexpected career path.

My one take away for anyone reading this article is that it’s not so much about your degree title, it's the skills that you develop from that degree.

Colour head and shoulders photo of Jamilla Mohammed

Mireia Vidal i Quintero

Former PhD student Mireia was appointed as a Professor of Bible (New Testament) at the Universidad Iberoamericana (IBERO).

I have a picture we took one day during lunch in Rainy Hall with some good friends.... we shared similar experiences during our years in New College. That experience still connects us.

Colour photo of Mireia Vidal i Quintero stood in front of a sign outside of a building. The sign reads "ibero".

Beth Jones

Philosophy and Theology graduate Beth works as Co-Director for charity Lead UK.

I loved New College. Lovely building but what really struck me was the people... that was really like oh goodness this is somewhere I feel like will welcome me.

Colour head and shoulders photo of Beth Jones speaking at a lectern in the Assembly Hall. The words "How did T.R.S help?" are visible on a projector behind her.

Sophie

Sophie graduated with an MA (Hons) in Theology in 2020 and now works on a Leadership Development Programme with Unlocked Graduates. We caught up with her to find out more.

When I came to visit New College, everyone was so friendly and there really felt like a community feel here at New College in a way that I hadn't really experienced at some of the other departments in different unis.
Colour head and shoulders photo of Sophie stood looking back at the camera and smiling
Colour head and shoulders photo of Marc Livingstone sat in a computer lab looking at a computer screen

Marc Livingstone graduated with an MA (Hons) in Religious Studies 2020. He is now a Teacher of Religious Education at St David's RC High School, Dalkeith, Edinburgh.

PhD at the School of Divinity. Now a Church of Scotland minister

PhD in Science and Religion and Lecturer at St Andrew's University

Founder of Express Employment Professionals in the USA

MSc in Science and Religion. Now doing data analytics at a subsidiary of Amazon

MTh in Biblical Studies. Now coordinator of the Asylum Seeker and Refugee Project at Parkhead Nazarene in Glasgow

MA in Religious Studies. Now Managing Director at First State Investment.

Founder and Head of the Michael Gott Evangelistic Association

MA in Theology. Now Chief Executive at The Elders, the human rights group founded by Nelson Mandela.

Student at New College 1962-63

MA Religious Studies

PhD (2012) and MTh (2008) Historical Theology

MSc Comparative Literature and MTh Systematic Theology

Bachelor of Divinity (Honours)

MA Religious Studies

MA (Honours) Religious Studies

Student at New College