Program Overview

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History and Theology & Religion, MA

Introduction

History and Theology & Religion at Aberdeen is a great combination to add to your wide and deep study of all aspects of human activity in the past with a fascinating exploration of the origin, function, and meaning of religion, studying and comparing the major religions across the world, and with special focus on Christian faith in historic and contemporary contexts. You’ll graduate with language and highly-developed academic skills applicable in many careers.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Learning Mode: On Campus Learning
• Degree Qualification: MA
• Duration: 48 months
• Study Mode: Full Time
• Start Month: September
• UCAS Code: VVC6
• Pathway Programme Available: Undergraduate Foundation Programme

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Making History (HI1027)
  • Getting Started at the University of Aberdeen (PD1002)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus 30 credit points from level 1 History or History of Art courses.
  • Plus at least 60 credit points from level 1 courses in Divinity or the following approved courses:
    • Latin 1 (LT1009)
    • Latin 2 (LT1507)
  • Plus further courses of choice to make up 120 credit points

Year 2

• Optional Courses:
  • 60 credit points from level 2 courses in Divinity.
  • Plus 60 credits from available level 2 courses in History.

Year 3

• Compulsory Courses:
  • Thinking History (HI356J)
• Optional Courses:
  • Plus a further 30 credit points from level 3 courses in History, or one of the following approved courses:
    • (AH 3014) Architecture and Power
    • (AH 3517) Painting in Tudor and Early Stuart England
    • (ME 33HM) History of Medicine
  • Plus, 60 credit points from level 3 courses in Divinity.

Year 4

• Optional Courses:
  • Special Subject (from list below)
  • PLUS EITHER:
    • Dissertation (DR4044)
  • OR:
    • Dissertation (DR4544) AND History in Practice II (HI4518)
  • OR:
    • Dissertation in History (HI4516)
  • Plus further credit points from level 4 Divinity courses to gain 60 in the discipline.

How You'll Study

Learning Methods

• Individual Projects
• Lectures
• Research
• Tutorials

Assessment Methods

Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:

• Coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
• Practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
• Written examinations at the end of each course.

Why Study History and Theology & Religion?

Why History

• Particular strengths in Irish and Scottish studies, Scandinavia, late medieval/early modern period, and research centres studying global empires, history and philosophy of science, technology and medicine, and Russian and Eastern European history.
• The inspiration of our beautiful historic campus in Old Aberdeen, where King’s College Chapel, begun in 1495 by University founder Bishop Elphinstone, is a treasure-house of history and religious turbulence.
• Major international treasures including 7,000 early printed books, the magnificent 12th century Aberdeen Bestiary, large Jacobite collection, works of the Scottish Enlightenment, and fascinating local records dating from the middle ages.
• A packed campus programme of student and public events, exhibitions, seminars, invited speakers and the annual WayWord literary festival.
• Spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, combining top-class study facilities with state-of-the-art technology, and an online catalogue giving you access to thousands of books and millions of journal articles on the web.

Why Theology

• A wide variety of courses: from biblical languages to the Reformation in Scotland, and from Buddhist philosophy to the stories of the prophets in Islam.
• An international community of eminent professors, including leading author and influential thinker Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics.
• Specialist research and teaching centres include the Aberdeen University Centre for Ministry Studies, the Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability, and the Kairos Forum for people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities.
• The inspiration of the beautiful King's College Chapel, begun in 1495 by University founder Bishop Elphinstone, a treasure-house of history and religious turbulence and today a precious interfaith space for a multifaith University community.
• Major historic treasures of national and international significance, including the archives of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland pre-1878 and fascinating local records of local estates and families through 500 years of religious turmoil.
• Spectacular, award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library, combining top-class study facilities with state-of-the-art technology, and our beautiful Divinity Library with an extensive collection of theological material.
• A packed programme of events, including theological lectures, café discussions, exhibitions and the annual WayWord literary festival.

Entry Requirements

Qualifications

• SQA Highers:
  • Standard: AABB
  • Minimum: BBB
  • Adjusted: BB
• A LEVELS:
  • Standard: BBB
  • Minimum: BBC
  • Adjusted: CCC
• International Baccalaureate: 32 points, including 5, 5, 5 at HL.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 5H with 3 at H2 AND 2 at H3.

Fees and Funding

• Tuition Fees:
  • England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,535
  • EU / International students: £20,800
  • Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme
  • Home Students: £1,820

Careers

• There are many opportunities at the University of Aberdeen to develop your knowledge, gain experience and build a competitive set of skills to enhance your employability.
• The Careers and Employability Service can help you to plan your career and support your choices throughout your time with us, from first to final year – and beyond.