Theological Studies BA (Hons)

Course code V600

What is special about this course?

The BA (Hons) Theological Studies* gives you a broad knowledge and understanding of the main disciplines of Christian theology, and the personal and professional capabilities required for a variety of ministries or general employment.

The degree is led by HTC, a non-denominational college recognised by the Church of Scotland, the Associated Presbyterian Churches, the United Free Church of Scotland and other denominations as a training provider.

You will read a wide range of theology across all main traditions and have access to special collections in HTC's impressive library.

A work placement will enable you to relate your acquired theoretical knowledge to real life situations. Visiting speakers will give you a flavour of the different areas of service that may be of interest for future employment or volunteering, for example: churches, youth work, hospital chaplaincy, army chaplaincy, seminaries and mission agencies in the UK and abroad.

Please see our FAQ sheet for further information on this course.

*subject to revalidation

Special features

  • You can study at HTC's main campus in Dingwall, or in Paisley, or at another university campus. Alternatively you can access lectures and course materials from home
  • The ideal course for prospective ministers and pastors, ordained local ministers, readers, missionaries and religious studies teachers
  • You will have access to HTC's impressive library of 65,000 volumes
  • A work placement is available in year three which will enable you to relate the theoretical knowledge you have acquired to real life situations
  • It is possible to include modules from a range of our degree programmes, or even take a joint degree with Archaeology, Criminology, Culture and Heritage, History, Literature, Philosophy, Politics, Scottish History or Sociology
  • You can study full-time or part-time to suit your personal circumstances.
  • You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, and exit at the end of each of the levels with a recognised qualification

Entry requirements

  • 3 Scottish Highers at grade C or above OR 
  • 2 A levels at grade C or above
  • Applicants with other qualifications or experience will be considered on an individual basis

Access routes

SWAP Access courses
If you are eligible to undertake Scottish Wider Access Programmes (SWAP), please visit our SWAP access list for further information on grade profiles and available subjects.

Access to Christian Theology at HTC.

 

 

Year 1 - CertHE

Subjects may include:

  • Jesus and the gospels
  • Introduction to systematic theology
  • Introduction to practical and pastoral theology
  • The Pentateuch
  • Greek grammar 1
  • Protestant Reformation
  • Worship *
  • Evangelism *

*these modules run on alternate years

Year 2 - DipHE

Subjects may include:

  • Old Testament prophets
  • Greek grammar 2
  • Hebrew grammar
  • Early church history
  • Biblical theology of mission*
  • Mission in the contemporary context*
  • Introduction to youth ministry*
  • Pauline theology
  • Person and work of Christ
  • Exploring other faiths*
  • Introduction to counselling theory
  • Introduction to chaplaincy
  • Sacramental theology*

*these modules run on alternate years.

Year 3 - BA

Subjects may include:

  • Hebrew texts
  • Hebrews
  • Scottish church history
  • Homiletics
  • Christian spirituality
  • Wisdom literature
  • Greek texts
  • Doctrine of God
  • Counselling in a pastoral setting
  • Project (arranged by student)
  • Work placement

Year 4 - BA (Hons)

Subjects may include:

  • Christian ethics
  • Luke/Acts
  • Holy Spirit and the word
  • Hermeneutics
  • Exploring psalms
  • Medieval church history
  • Guided reading (on a topic agreed with your supervisor)

You must also complete a dissertation.

How will I study my course?

  • Full-time
  • Part-time (structured)
  • Part-time (unstructured)
  • You will learn through a combination of scheduled video conference lectures and tutorials, and online study via the university’s virtual learning environment (VLE), with support from your tutors. There is normally a weekly two-hour timetabled video conference lecture for each module.
  • International students requiring a Student Route visa to study in the UK should apply to HTC and must be based there during their studies.

How long will my course last?

  • Full-time: 4 years taking 6 modules per year
  • Part-time (structured): 8 years, taking 3 modules per year
  • Part-time (unstructured): undertaking 1-2 modules per year 

You should set aside approximately 14 hours per module per week. This includes time spent in lectures and your own time spent on individual study and research.

Where can I study my course?

  • Argyll
  • HTC - Dingwall or Paisley campus
  • Moray
  • North, West and Hebrides
  • Perth

Applicants choosing to study from their home location should apply to HTC - you will be supported by staff at our Dingwall campus.

Start date

  • September

 

Fees

For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

This includes

  • EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
  • EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
Degrees 2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £1,820 £1,820
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £915 £915
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £305 £305

Rest of UK students

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term-time address in Scotland studying this course full time, the following fees apply:

  Level 2023-24 2024-25
Year 1 CertHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 2 DipHE £9,250 £9,250
Year 3 Degree £9,250 £9,250
Year 4 Honours free free

4th year free only for students studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

Part-time (per 20 credit module) - £1,542

Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.

There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.

EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK

Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Scottish Government confirmed that EU/EEA and Swiss nationals, who do not have settled or pre-settled status, will be considered as international for fee purposes. Students will get an automatic scholarship of £3,000 per annum and the 4th year of study will be free for those studying full-time, on continuous study, who have paid for the previous three years at the University of the Highlands and Islands.

This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.

  Level 2023-24 Full-time With scholarship 2024-25 With scholarship
Year 1 CertHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 2 DipHE £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 3 Degree £13,980 £10,980 £14,988 £11,988
Year 4 Honours £13,980 free £14,988 free

Students will need Student Route visa sponsorship to study on the UK.

International students

For students who do not normally reside in the UK or European Union and with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:

  2023-24 2024-25
Full-time (120 credit modules) per year £13,980 £14,988
Part-time (structured) (3 x 20 credit modules) per year £6,990 £7,494
Part-time (unstructured per module) (per 20 credit module) £2,330 £2,498

Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK

Further information on international course fees.

A no fee increase guarantee is available for self-funding full-time and structured part-time rest of the UK, EU and international undergraduate students for continuous study for the same award, up to the permitted standard time limit for the relevant award.

Rest of the UK, EU/EEA and international students studying online

For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland), EU/EEA or Switzerland and international students, without a term-time address in Scotland, ie studying from their home country, the following fees apply:

2024-25 Rest of the UK/EU International
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,120 £6,960
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,020 £1,160
2023-24 Rest of the UK/EU International
Full-time online per year (120 credit modules) £6,120 £6,540
Part-time online (per 20 credit module) £1,020 £1,090

Funding

UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.

Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.

What can I do on completion of my course?

Once you have successfully completed your BA (Hons) Theological Studies course, you might like to consider careers in the following:

  • Churches
  • Chaplaincy
  • Mission agencies
  • Colleges and seminaries
  • Research

Can I progress into further study?

With an appropriate honours degree, you may be able to progress on to the MRes or PhD programmes.

Is there more information available online?

QR Code - scan to visit course page

You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.

The lectures are fantastic. The style and structure is easy to follow: you will learn a lot and there's plenty of time for discussion which is good. This is an absolutely great place to study. My university experience could not be any better. Staff and students know each other well and help each other out.

Cate Ramos is studying on the BA (Hons) Theology at our HTC campus.

My favourite aspect of the course is the week-to-week work. We’re given a list of tasks – books and articles to read, lectures to watch, sometimes even music to listen to – relating to the theme that week, to do before we discuss this in our seminar. I love doing the research for the history essays and becoming absorbed in the question, deciding how to argue my point and pushing myself to try and do better each time.

Everything is flexible in this university: location, access and programme of study which I couldn’t get anywhere else and this approach to supporting students has meant I’ve been able to keep going even when personal circumstances have made study hard.

Beth is currently in her second year of the BA (Hons) History and Theology at HTC, Dingwall.

Starting as a parish minister at a new church is always an adventure. Each day is different and it’s a privilege and a joy to walk alongside people of faith or none. My roles are varied from leading Sunday worship, acting as a school chaplain, conducting
baptisms, weddings and funerals to visiting those
who need a prayer and a little support. 

Rev Andrea Boyes graduated with a BA (Hons) Theological Studies from our HTC campus in Dingwall

Apply for Theological Studies BA (Hons)

I want to start in Aug/Sep 2024

We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.