MA Biblical Studies and Economics
About this course
Biblical studies is a discipline that takes seriously the literary, historical, and cultural significance of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, two bodies of writing whose influence on Western civilisation has been profound and lasting. Studying them at university level means engaging with the texts themselves in their original languages, their historical contexts, and the rich scholarly traditions of interpretation that surround them, as well as with related Jewish and Christian writings from antiquity. Combined with economics, biblical studies gains a surprising but productive counterpart, one that addresses the rational analysis of human decisions about scarce resources with its own rigorous methods and frameworks. At the University of St Andrews, this four-year full-time programme takes both disciplines seriously. The biblical studies component draws on the depth of St Andrews' divinity tradition, engaging with Old and New Testament texts, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other early Jewish and Christian writings within the wider context of ancient history and culture. The economics component develops your analytical and quantitative skills, building the capacity for rigorous reasoning about how markets, institutions, and policy choices shape human welfare. The degree includes a year abroad, broadening your perspective in both fields. The typical entry tariff of 232 points reflects the highly competitive nature of entry to St Andrews. You will develop critical textual analysis alongside quantitative reasoning, historical scholarship alongside economic thinking, and the communication skills that both disciplines demand. Graduates pursue careers in academia, theology, education, the voluntary and charitable sector, international organisations, economic research, policy, and the civil service. The combination is unusual and produces genuinely distinctive graduates. Postgraduate study in theology, economics, or religious studies is a well-established continuation.
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