Religion and Literature MTh, MSc

This programme, housed within the School of Divinity, draws on the strengths of one of the most distinguished centres of religious and theological studies in the country. It offers deep and broad study of the relationship between all genres of literature and religious traditions, history, thought and practice.

The programme will equip you to engage in this growing field from a variety of starting points and to understand the interaction between literature and religion from a range of wider contexts, including those of theology and the textual, historical and social scientific study of religions.

In the programme’s core course, you will cover the history of the field as well as current issues in both areas of study and in their interaction. Optional courses from which you may choose (although not all may be available each year) include courses on Scottish Literature, Imagination and Faith; Science and Religion in Literature; Islamic Literature; Peacebuilding, Theology and the Arts; and Buddhist Literature.

With the agreement of the Programme Director, you may select a course from the School of Divinity's level 10 courses and/or other taught masters programmes, including those in English Literature, where available.

You will have the opportunity to research and write a substantial dissertation, with the support of an academic supervisor, which will reflect your own interests and expertise.

The programme is aimed at students and professionals with an academic background in Literary Studies, Religious Studies or Theology who are keen to acquire a more in-depth knowledge of both disciplines in dialogue.

The programme offers you the opportunity to study and collaborate with established academics, with a view to tailoring a personalized path to doctoral study or to other relevant careers.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

A UK 2:1 honours degree, a minimum US 3.25 GPA, or its international equivalent, in a relevant humanities subject such as theology, religious studies, or english literature.

Students from China

This degree is Band C.

• Postgraduate entry requirements for students from China

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Trinity ISE, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality. (Revised 14 January 2025 to include Oxford ELLT.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

Possible fields for employment after completion of this programme include:

• Academia
• Teaching
• Academic Publishing
• Religious Leadership
• Creative Arts