Master of Arts (Honours) Biblical Studies

at University of St Andrews

Modules
In the first two years of your degree (known as sub-honours) you will take the required modules in biblical studies alongside modules in at least one other subject.

Typically, you will take one to two biblical studies modules per semester during your first two years, and three or four biblical studies modules per year during your third and fourth year (known as Honours). Find out more about the modular Scottish degree system.

First year
Students take the following compulsory first-year modules:

• Old Testament 1: Torah and Prophets: introduces the life, literature and religion of Ancient Israel, with particular consideration of the main literary types of the Old Testament literature.
• New Testament 1: Jesus and the Gospels: considers the historical contexts of the New Testament texts, then studies the Gospels with a view to determining the particular interests of their authors, and with a view to assessing their portraits of Jesus in relation to the historical Jesus.

And at least one of:

• Hebrew 1: Introduction to Hebrew Language: aims to give students a sufficient knowledge of the grammar and vocabulary of Old Testament Hebrew to be able to read and analyse prescribed texts.
• New Testament Greek 1: introduces the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek which will continue into New Testament Greek 2.

Second year

Students will take the following compulsory second-year modules:

• Old Testament 2: Wisdom, Psalms, Apocalyptic and Apocryphal Literature: an introduction to the literature and theology of the period of Israel’s history from exile to the consolidation of the canon.
• New Testament 2: Paul and the Epistles: examines the literature and developing theology of the New Testament, paying particular attention to the issue of unity and diversity, and to the themes of Christology and soteriology.
• And at least one of:
• Hebrew 2: aims to extend students' skills in reading the Hebrew Bible and in the techniques of textual criticism and of exegesis.
• New Testament Greek 2: continues from New Testament Greek 1 and introduces the second half of the essential grammar, morphology, and vocabulary of New Testament Greek.

These grades are the overall standards required to consider you for entry. Find out more about Standard, Minimum and Gateway entry requirements using academic entry explained and see which entry requirements you need to look at using the entry requirements indicator.

• Home-funded  -  £1820
• RUK (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) and Republic of Ireland  -  £9250
• Islands (Channel Islands, Isle of Man)  -  £9250
• EU and overseas  -  £26350

A degree in divinity gives you the opportunity for significant intellectual and personal development, and you will acquire a wide range of transferable skills. Those who have studied theology or biblical studies have learnt a range of skills including:

• textual
• historical
• analytical
• creative
• interpersonal.