Understanding our programme changes

The University of Edinburgh is shaping a renewed academic offer in Theology and Religion as part of the wider College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences portfolio. Our focus is on developing programmes that reflect how the field is evolving, strengthening areas of long‑standing excellence, and creating new opportunities for students and researchers. As part of this work, we will be developing elements of our programme portfolio to ensure it reflects the needs of students and the wider discipline. 

Our core programmes in theology, religion, philosophy and ethics remain and are strong, with one of the largest undergraduate intakes in the UK and one of the largest PhD communities in the field. More than 200 new students joined us this year from Scotland, the UK and around the world. We are designing new programmes for launch in 2027 and 2028, shaped around areas of growing student interest, particularly philosophy, religion and ethics

At undergraduate level we will strengthen programmes with sustained student interest and clear academic pathways, retiring joint honours degrees that have declined in demand over many years. At postgraduate level, several specialist courses will be brought together into a newly designed single postgraduate programme in Theology and Religion, alongside our research Masters. These changes reflect national trends in postgraduate study and supports a more coherent and flexible route into advanced work in the field.

Changes in ministerial training across Scotland led to the closure of the B.Div and M.Div programmes, after the Church of Scotland chose to concentrate training in a single institution. Our relationship with the Church remains active through postgraduate opportunities, short courses and ongoing collaboration in areas of shared interest.

Studying Theology and Religion in Edinburgh 

Edinburgh remains the only Scottish university offering the widest range of religious traditions and subject choices, and is one of the UK’s major centres for the study of theology and religion. Theology and Religion will continue to speak from a city shaped by Reformation and Enlightenment to Scotland, the UK and the world, offering insight for the challenges of our times.

These changes will influence the next generation of study in theology and religion, ensuring the subject continues to contribute important insights to debates on history, meaning, belief, values, culture and society. These skills are increasingly needed in a world that requires critical, ethical and interpretive understanding. Together, they represent a period of renewal and future‑focused development for the subject.