Modern History and Theological Studies

Modern history and theological studies at St Andrews is a pairing that raises fundamental questions about how human societies have understood themselves, their origins, their obligations, and their ultimate concerns. Modern history covers the past five hundred years of human affairs, tracing how political, economic, social, and cultural transformations have shaped the world we inhabit. Theological studies explores the intellectual tradition of religious thought, the diversity of religious experience, and the ethical and philosophical questions that religion raises.

The two disciplines together ask both what has happened and what it means, which is an unusually searching combination.

The MA (Hons) in modern history at St Andrews teaches you to analyse historical events from a present-day context, drawing on a range of optional classes with very broad chronological, geographical, and thematic coverage. Theological studies complements this by developing your ability to engage with primary religious texts, to reason about ethics and metaphysics, and to understand how religious traditions have shaped and been shaped by historical change. The four-year degree, which follows the Scottish honours model, includes a year abroad that gives you the opportunity to study these disciplines in a different academic environment.

The typical entry tariff of 200 points reflects the high demand for places and the academic calibre of the student body at St Andrews.

Graduates of modern history and theological studies go on to careers in a wide range of fields. Education, the civil service, journalism, broadcasting, heritage, museums, international organisations, NGOs, and chaplaincy are all common destinations. The combination of historical rigour and theological literacy is particularly valued in organisations concerned with ethics, interfaith relations, and understanding cultural and religious diversity.

Postgraduate study in history, theology, philosophy of religion, ethics, or international relations is a natural continuation for those who wish to specialise further or pursue academic research.