2025-26
Degree of Bachelor of Divinity
RESOLUTION
The Degree of Bachelor of Divinity is governed by Resolutions of the University Court. The provisions of Resolution No. 582 supporting the Generic Undergraduate Regulations are set out with those Regulations. The provisions of Resolution No. 585 are as follows:
- The Degree of Bachelor of Divinity (BD) may be awarded by the Senate of the University of Glasgow in the College of Arts & Humanities (the College) as a Degree in such designations as may be prescribed by Regulations.
- The award of the Degree shall be governed by Resolution No. 582 - “Generic Regulations for the award of Degrees gained by the successful completion of Undergraduate Programmes” together with such Supplementary Regulations as are contained in this Resolution No. 585 - “Degree of Bachelor of Divinity”. The Supplementary Regulations are set out in the Schedule of Regulations attached to this Resolution.
- The Degree may be awarded as a General Degree in Theology & Religious Studies and as a Degree with Honours in such subjects as may be prescribed by Regulation. The early exit awards of Diploma of Higher Education and Certificate of Higher Education are also included in the Regulations.
REGULATIONS
1. Recognition of Prior Learning
1.1 An applicant holding a BD general Degree, BD (Min) general Degree or MA in Theology & Religious Studies ordinary Degree may, if they have fulfilled the requirements for admission to Honours, and at the discretion of the Head of School of Critical Studies, be admitted to Junior Honours.
1.2 An applicant who is a graduate in any discipline may be admitted to complete the BD general Degree in two years by receiving 120 prior credits at level 1 and completing the required 240 credits at levels 1, 2 and 3 from the list of qualifying courses in Theology & Religious Studies.
2. Maximum and Minimum Periods of Study
2.1 The maximum period normally permitted for a full-time candidate for the BD with Honours is six academic sessions from the date of first registration.
2.2 The maximum period normally permitted for a full-time candidate for the BD (General) is five academic sessions from the date of first registration.
2.3 The maximum period normally permitted for a part-time candidate for the BD Degree with or without Honours is 10 academic sessions from the date of first registration. Where both full-time and part-time study is involved, two sessions of part-time study shall be deemed equivalent to one session of full-time study.
3. Progress
3.1 Further to Generic Undergraduate Regulations §10 and §11, the following applies:
| After one session: | The candidate must have obtained at least 80 credits, of which at least 60 must be at grade D3 or above and achieved a grade point average[1] of at least 9.0. |
| After two sessions: | The candidate must have obtained at least 180 credits of which at least 100 must be at grade D3 or above and achieved a grade point average of at least 9.0. At least 40 credits must be at level 2. |
| After three sessions |
The candidate must have obtained: 240 credits with a minimum grade point average of 9.0; 160 credits at grade D3 or above; 80 credits at level 2 or above. |
3.2 Entry to Honours
In addition to the requirements set out in Generic Undergraduate Regulation §15.1, students wishing to progress to Honours must have completed:
a) 240 credits (or equivalent) including at least 80 credits at level 1 and at least 80 credits at level 2 from the list of qualifying courses in Theology & Religious Studies;
4. Courses Available to Candidates
4.1 A full list of the courses which qualify for the degrees of BD is to be found in the relevant Programme Specifications.
4.2 Details of the courses on offer in any given year are provided in the relevant School handbooks.
5. Programme Requirements for the Award of the Degree
The following requirements apply in addition to those set out in Generic Undergraduate Regulations §14 and §16:
5.1 Degree of BD
In the first and second year of study the candidate must complete 240 credits which must include at least 80 credits at level 1 and at least 80 credits at level 2 from the list of qualifying courses in Theology & Religious Studies. In year 3 the candidate must complete 120 credits at level 2 or above, which must include at least 80 credits at level 3 or honours level.
[1] The grade point average is determined with reference to the schedule of grades and grade points contained in Schedule A and Schedule B of the University’s Code of Assessment. The grade point average is calculated by taking the product of each course’s weight and the candidate’s grade points and dividing the sum of these products by the sum of the courses’ weights. The weights shall correspond to the courses’ credit ratings unless specified otherwise in the relevant programme documentation. The grade point average is expressed to one decimal place (§16.34(a) of the Code of Assessment). In determining whether a candidate has achieved a required grade point average, no further rounding is permitted. For example, a candidate achieving a grade point average of 8.9 would not satisfy a requirement for a grade point average of 9.0.