The School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh

Why Study with us?

Our Graduate School offers you the chance to engage with cutting-edge research on theology and religious studies in a wide variety of areas. For us, learning is something that staff and students do together through our dedicated and diverse community.

We have around 150 postgraduate students and 300 undergraduates who are drawn from many parts of the world. Nearly 40 full-time academic staff include internationally respected scholars in a wide range of specialisms.

A vibrant intellectual and social community

Our Graduate School ethos is to promote excellence in postgraduate study, within a stimulating and supportive environment. We value equality and diversity in the School community, and an academic culture that is both critical and constructive.

We are one of the biggest centres in the UK for the study of theology and religion with the largest number of research-active faculty members in Scotland and the third largest in the UK.

Our research environment is enhanced by research seminars: Regular occasions enjoyed by academic staff, research and taught postgraduates. Students also benefit from gatherings with faculty members and fellow students, where we offer a supportive forum in which to discuss issues as diverse as work-life balance or publishing strategies.

Good to know...

We are ranked one of the top five places in the UK to study Divinity and joint 15th in the world by QS World University Rankings by Subject (theology, divinity and religious studies) 2022.

The School of Divinity was ranked 1st in Scotland and 5th in the UK for research power in Theology and Religious Studies in the Times Higher Education’s power rankings based on REF 2021 results.

New College

Theology and religious studies has been taught at the University of Edinburgh since its foundation in 1583. The School of Divinity is based at New College, an impressive gothic-style building dating from the 1840s, in the heart of the Edinburgh’s Old Town. It commands spectacular views over the city and is a distinctive feature on the Edinburgh skyline, close to the Castle, the National Gallery, Princes Street and Waverley Station.

World-class research libraries

New College Library has one of the largest collections for theology and religious studies in the UK. We hold more than a quarter of a million printed items, including many rare and historic books that will provide you with all you need to undertake cutting-edge postgraduate research.

Find out more about the diverse range of postgraduate programmes on offer at the School.