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The University of Edinburgh: Science and Religion
| Institution | The University of Edinburgh View institution profile |
|---|---|
| Department | School of Divinity |
| Web | https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying |
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD
Summary
The Science and Religion programme at Edinburgh offers a unique opportunity to investigate how scientific discoveries and religious traditions intersect, challenge, and enrich one another.
You will engage critically with topics including the origins of the universe, evolution and human distinctiveness, the laws of nature, consciousness and the soul, and the role of theology in public debates on science.
Research students are supported by experts in theology, philosophy, history of science, and religious studies, with supervision available across Christianity, Islam, and comparative traditions.
If you have an area of study in mind, please send your transcript and draft proposal to a member of staff (see the Research Supervisor section below). You will need to demonstrate that you are ready for PhD study and your topic fits the research interests of a staff member.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
The Science and Religion programme at Edinburgh offers a unique opportunity to investigate how scientific discoveries and religious traditions intersect, challenge, and enrich one another.
You will engage critically with topics including the origins of the universe, evolution and human distinctiveness, the laws of nature, consciousness and the soul, and the role of theology in public debates on science.
Research students are supported by experts in theology, philosophy, history of science, and religious studies, with supervision available across Christianity, Islam, and comparative traditions.
If you have an area of study in mind, please send your transcript and draft proposal to a member of staff (see the Research Supervisor section below). You will need to demonstrate that you are ready for PhD study and your topic fits the research interests of a staff member.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 12 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MPhil (Res)
Summary
The Science and Religion programme at Edinburgh offers a unique opportunity to investigate how scientific discoveries and religious traditions intersect, challenge, and enrich one another.
You will engage critically with topics including the origins of the universe, evolution and human distinctiveness, the laws of nature, consciousness and the soul, and the role of theology in public debates on science.
Research students are supported by experts in theology, philosophy, history of science, and religious studies, with supervision available across Christianity, Islam, and comparative traditions.
If you have an area of study in mind, please send your transcript and draft proposal to a member of staff (see the Research Supervisor section below). You will need to demonstrate that you are ready for PhD study and your topic fits the research interests of a staff member.
| Study type | Research |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
MSc
Summary
This dedicated masters programme in science and religion is intended for students who wish to engage in the advanced interdisciplinary study of science and religion, including those who wish to prepare for PhD work.
This is one of the world’s very few science and religion programmes.
Much of the science and religion debate in the public sphere has taken place within a poorly informed view of the history and philosophy of science and its relationship with religion. This programme aims to inform and engage with the debate in depth, looking at it from scientific, philosophical, historical, ethical and theological perspectives.
The history of science is studied from ancient times through the modern scientific revolution, together with philosophical trends in our understanding of reality. The programme also looks at current trends in the study of science and religion, and optional modules allow students to look at science and religion in Islam, and at expressions of the relationship between science and religion in Western literature.
The main areas of dialogue between science and religion are explored in depth, including:
-
cosmology
-
evolution
-
divine action and miracles
-
consciousness
-
the human person
-
Islam and Science
-
current trends in the field of science and religion
-
science and religion in literature
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Summary
This dedicated masters programme in science and religion is intended for students who wish to engage in the advanced interdisciplinary study of science and religion, including those who wish to prepare for PhD work.
This is one of the world’s very few science and religion programmes.
Much of the science and religion debate in the public sphere has taken place within a poorly informed view of the history and philosophy of science and its relationship with religion. This programme aims to inform and engage with the debate in depth, looking at it from scientific, philosophical, historical, ethical and theological perspectives.
The history of science is studied from ancient times through the modern scientific revolution, together with philosophical trends in our understanding of reality. The programme also looks at current trends in the study of science and religion, and optional modules allow students to look at science and religion in Islam, and at expressions of the relationship between science and religion in Western literature.
The main areas of dialogue between science and religion are explored in depth, including:
-
cosmology
-
evolution
-
divine action and miracles
-
consciousness
-
the human person
-
Islam and Science
-
current trends in the field of science and religion
-
science and religion in literature
| Study type | Taught |
|---|---|
| Level | SCQF Level 11 |
| Entry requirements | Entry requirements for individual programmes vary, so please check the details for the specific programme you wish to apply for on the University of Edinburgh website. You will also need to meet the University’s language requirements. |
| Location | Central area campus George Square Edinburgh EH8 9JZ |
Edinburgh. Extraordinary futures await.
The University of Edinburgh is one of the world's top universities, consistently ranked in the world top 50, and placed 34th in the QS World University Rankings 2026.
Our position as one of Britain’s leading research universities was reaffirmed by the results of the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). The University of Edinburgh is one of the world’s top research-intensive universities, ranked 4th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, Overall Ranking of Institutions), with 90% of our research activity classified as world leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research …
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