History and Theology

History and theology are disciplines that have been in conversation for as long as both have existed as fields of inquiry. History provides the tools for understanding how human societies and institutions have developed over time, reading the evidence of the past critically and constructing accounts of events and processes from the traces they have left. Theology brings the resources of systematic thought about belief, text, tradition and ultimate questions into contact with those historical processes, asking how religious thought and practice have shaped and been shaped by the societies in which they exist.

This four-year degree at the University of the Highlands and Islands develops your understanding of both disciplines in combination, drawing on the institution's distinctive position in the Scottish Highlands and Islands, where the intersection of religious tradition and historical experience is particularly rich. You will study historical periods, methods and debates alongside theological and religious texts, traditions and arguments, developing skills in critical reading, archival research, textual analysis and extended academic writing. The programme is delivered in a mode that suits the university's dispersed regional character, with structured weekly study that can be adapted to suit individual circumstances.

Graduates bring a combination of historical and theological knowledge to careers in education, church and religious organisations, heritage, archiving, chaplaincy, community development, social work and the voluntary sector. The analytical, research and communication skills the degree develops are also applicable in journalism, public policy and a wide range of other professional contexts. Many graduates go on to postgraduate study in history, theology, religious studies or a related field, and some pursue ordination or professional ministry training in parallel with or following the degree.