Program Overview

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Divinity

Introduction

Steeped in history, the study of Divinity and Theology has been undertaken since the foundation of the University in 1495.

Study Information

At a Glance

• Degree Qualification: MTh or PhD

Research Area Navigation

Overview

• Our Research
• Our Experts
• Entry Requirements
• Fees
• Careers
• Contact Us

Our Research

Research opportunities encompass all the major sub-disciplines of theology.

Research Interests

• Systematic Theology
  • The sources and norms of Christian doctrine and scripture, including creation, providence, soteriology and ecclesiology, public theology, patristic, Reformation and post-Reformation historical theology, and modern German Protestant thought, especially Barth, Bonhoeffer and Tillich.
  • Specialists: Professor Tom Greggs, Professor Paul Nimmo, Professor Philip Ziegler, Professor David Clough, Dr Daniel Pedersen and Dr Bruce McCormack
• Theological Ethics
  • Scripture and ethics, the ethics of the Lutheran tradition, political ethics, medical, social and economic ethics, ethical questions concerning disability, and animal and environmental ethics.
  • Specialists: Professor Brian Brock and Professor David Clough.
• Church History and Historical Theology
  • Research in Church History concentrates on patristic history and theology, Augustine and Augustinianisms, Medieval church and theology, female spirituality, the Reformation, Scottish church history, the history of missions, and the interactions between literacy, perceptions of monastic space and religious practices.
  • Contact Professor John Behr, Dr Marie-Luise Ehrenschwendtner, Dr Kenneth Jeffrey
• Practical Theology
  • Disability studies, healthcare, liturgics, homiletics, Christian responses to historical traumas and the critical theory of religion.
  • Specialists: Professor Brian Brock, Dr Katie Cross, Dr Kenneth Jeffrey, Dr Leon van Ommen, Professor John Swinton.
• Old Testament and Hebrew Bible
  • Deuteronomistic history, exilic and post-exilic prophecy, and texts such as Leviticus, the minor prophets, the psalter, monotheism, the Wisdom of Solomon and the Septuagint.
  • Specialists: Professor Joachim Schaper, Dr Nathaniel Greene, Dr Jakub Zbrzezny
• New Testament
  • New Testament theology, Second Temple Judaism, Apocalyptic, Philo, the Johannine corpus, Pauline literature, Christianity in the classical world, and early Christian writing practices.
  • Specialists: Dr Katherine Hockey, Professor Grant Macaskill, Dr Sam Newington
• Divinity research centres
  • Centre for Early Modern Studies brings together early modern scholars and fosters collaboration.
  • Aberdeen Centre for Protestant Theology facilitates, coordinates and promotes advanced research in the field of Christian theology.
  • Centre for the Study of Autism and Christian Community hosts interdisciplinary research into the blessings and challenges associated with the presence of persons with autism in the Christian church.
  • Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability has a dual focus on the relationship between spirituality, health and healing and the significance of the spiritual dimension for contemporary healthcare practices and the theology of disability.
  • Centre for Ministry Studies (CMS) endeavours to be a centre of excellence that seeks to facilitate world class education and training for people involved in Christian ministry at home and internationally, and offers supervision in research relating to Christian ministry, homiletics, mission studies and pastoral care.
• Philosophical Theology and Religion
  • The study of philosophical sources and concepts that inform theological and religious discourse over the centuries, the study of theology and science, the study of key figures in the history of thought as it relates to theology and religion, including Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Seneca, Lucretius, Leibniz, Spinoza, German idealists, Kierkegaard, and 20th-century phenomenology.
  • Specialists: Prof. John Behr, Prof. Beth Lord, Prof. Phil Ziegler, Dr Sam Newington, Dr Daniel Pedersen

Research Projects

Aberdeen Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability

The Centre for Spirituality, Health and Disability focuses on the relationship between spirituality, health and healing, and the significance of the spiritual dimension for contemporary healthcare practice.

Kairos Forum

The Kairos Forum focuses on the spiritual and religious needs of people with cognitive or intellectual disabilities, facilitating the crafting and empowerment of ‘communities of belonging’, both within religious and secular settings.

Christ's College

The principal role of Christ's College in Aberdeen is to oversee the preparation of ministerial candidates for the Church of Scotland.

Christian Ethics of Farmed Animal Welfare (CEFAW)

The CEFAW project is an AHRC-funded interdisciplinary research project exploring the implications of Christianity for the ethics of farmed animal welfare.

Our Experts

At Aberdeen you join a vibrant international research community with world-leading expertise.

Entry Requirements

Normally, the minimum entrance requirement for admission to the PhD is a degree with Second Class Honours (Upper Division) in an appropriate field, or equivalent. It is preferable that you hold a Masters in the chosen area of study as well.

Fees and Funding

View the tuition fee rates

Scholarships

Eligible self-funded international Postgraduate Research Masters' students starting in September 2025 will receive the Aberdeen Global Scholarship.

Careers

Aberdeen graduates have the benefit of a wide choice of career, taking advantage of the transferable skills and personal growth gained during their student experience at Aberdeen.

Features

At Aberdeen you'll be inspired, guided and supported by world-leading thinkers, authors and teachers, taking advantage of their unique expertise and deep knowledge in areas of interest which have great significance in our world today.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one of the most prominent voices in modern theology and at Aberdeen we have special expertise in his work, which continues to be at the centre of important theological developments and debates.

Karl Barth

The theology of Karl Barth continues to provoke vigorous discussion and engagement. Our library holds the David Lewis collection of Karl Barth literature and we have a unique concentration of Barth scholars.

500 Years of Divinity and Theology

Bishop Elphinstone founded the University in 1495. The study of Divinity was a major subject innovation at that time. Aberdeen is now widely considered to be a world-leader in the study of Divinity.

25th in the World

We rank 25th in the World for Divinity, Theology and Religious Studies.

1st for Research in Theology

We rank 1st in the UK for Research in Theology.