Scottish History/Theology & Religious Studies

Scottish history and theology and religious studies is a pairing that addresses two of the most distinctive and enduring dimensions of Scottish cultural and intellectual life. Scottish history is a rich and contested field, engaging with the country's medieval kingdoms and alliances, the Reformation and its consequences, the union with England, the Enlightenment, industrialisation, emigration, the Highland Clearances, and the political developments of the modern era. Theology and religious studies examines the beliefs, practices, and institutions through which human beings have sought to understand the ultimate, covering Christianity, other world religions, and the philosophical and ethical questions that religious traditions raise.

At the University of Glasgow this four-year MA programme includes a year abroad and benefits from renowned researchers at the cutting edge of Scottish history across all periods, from medieval to modern. The Centre for Scottish and Celtic Studies at Glasgow addresses Scottish history in a genuinely cross-disciplinary environment, and students are encouraged to engage with that broader intellectual community. You will develop skills in archival research, historical argument, and the interpretation of theological and religious texts, working across two disciplines that share a commitment to careful reading and well-grounded analysis of complex evidence.

Graduates from this combination work in education, heritage, archives, the church and other religious organisations, journalism, broadcasting, and public policy, as well as in roles that draw on the cultural knowledge and analytical skills the degree develops. The Scottish history component is particularly relevant for careers in Scottish cultural institutions, heritage tourism, and the growing sector of Scottish studies. Further study at postgraduate level in Scottish history, theology, religious studies, or heritage management is a natural next step for those with an appetite for advanced research or specialist professional development.