Earn a postgraduate qualification in New Testament and Early Christianity, 100% online.
Join our world-class department of Divinity and Religious Studies online for this flexible postgraduate diploma (PgDip).
Undertake research-driven courses in advanced biblical studies with experts in ancient Judaism, New Testament, and Patristics, wherever you are in the world.
This PgDip provides an excellent foundation for research degrees, as well as continuing development for professionals seeking to enrich their knowledge.
Outstanding expertise
You’ll be joining an ancient UK university where Divinity has been taught for more than five centuries.
Today, we’re a major centre of Christian theological study, carrying out cutting-edge research in New Testament and Early Christianity that seeks to both advance the field and support faith communities.
Research excellence
We’re rated 1st in the UK for the quality of our research in Theology in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
Choose the University of Aberdeen for online Theology courses
1st in Scotland for Theology
We’re rated 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for Theology by the Complete University Guide 2025.
25th in the world
We’re rated 25th in the world for Theology, Divinity and Religious Studies (QS World University Rankings 2024).
Over 525 years of excellence
Join a university founded in 1495, where Divinity has been taught for more than five centuries.
Who is this online PgDip in New Testament and Early Christianity for?
This distance-learning postgraduate diploma is ideal for anyone interested in studying: early Christianity, the New Testament, Theology, Divinity, biblical studies, church history, and patristics.
Academic development
This PgDip and its courses provide an essential foundation for further academic work in New Testament Studies or Patristic Studies.
Professional development
The PgDip and its courses are also ideal continuous professional development (CPD) for leaders in religious communities and professionals working in faith-based organisations, such as schools or charities.
You can study with us online from anywhere in the world, no student visa required.
By the end of this degree, you’ll be able to...
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Read early Christian literature closely, including scripture, with an advanced knowledge of historical, literary, and thematic elements.
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Assess the range and significance of various modes of scriptural interpretation in antiquity among Jews and Christians.
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Explain the principal factors that gave rise to particular theological developments in early Christianity and their later trajectories.
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Engage with significant scholarly debates in the field of New Testament studies and early Christianity to develop your own emergent, informed position.
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Evaluate the relative merits of various approaches to interpreting early Christian literature.
What you’ll study
You can choose to study for a:
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits), or
- exit early with a Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits).
Try our degree scheduler
Choose your courses
See all the courses that are part of this degree and choose what you want to study.
Manage your study schedule
Control the pace and cost of your degree. Decide how much you want to study each term.
Save to your wishlist
Save your schedule to your wishlist so you can view and edit anytime.
How you’ll study
Online learning
This distance-learning postgraduate diploma in New Testament and Early Christianity is delivered flexibly, 100% online.
You can learn with us anywhere, no student visa required, and manage your study hours to suit you.
Your teaching
Teaching is delivered through MyAberdeen, our online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). It holds all the materials, tools and support you’ll need in your studies. Take a look around MyAberdeen.
You can access your learning materials on computer, smartphone and laptop, 24 hours a day. You’ll find a range of online resources available, including:
- reading materials
- seminars
- discussion boards with your tutors and peers
- access to hybrid postgraduate research seminars
- access to our award-winning Sir Duncan Rice Library.
Biblical and Classical Greek texts
Your studies will feature texts transmitted in Biblical and/or Classical Greek, in their original languages and in translation. In studying these texts, you can develop your applied language skills.
You do not need to have any previous training in these languages to join this PgDip. If you’re interested in additional language training while you study, introductory courses may be available at an additional cost.
Your tutors
This PgDip is delivered by our School of Divinity, History, Philosophy and Art History (DHPA).
You’ll learn from academics who are active researchers in the fields of New Testament and Early Christianity.
Our Department of Theology is recognised internationally as one of the foremost research institutions in Theology.
Dr Katherine Hockey
Katherine is a Lecturer in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen. She has published on ancient philosophy of emotion and 1 Peter.
Her current research interests include the Catholic epistles, emotion studies and the New Testament, and Christian identity construction.
Katherine is co-chair of the Later Epistles seminar of the British New Testament Society, and she is the Coordinator for PgDip New Testament and Early Christianity.
View Katherine’s profile
Reverend Professor John Behr
John is Regius Chair in Humanity at the University of Aberdeen. He has written a wide range of books on Patristics as well as the Gospel of John.
His current research interests include scriptural interpretation and anthropology, questions of life and death, and the hermeneutics of reading texts.
John serves on a number of editorial boards of the International Journal of Orthodox Theology.
View John’s profile
Professor Grant Macaskill
Grant Macaskill is the Kirby Laing Chair of New Testament Exegesis at the University of Aberdeen.
He has published on a wide range of historical and theological topics, including union with Christ in the New Testament, and autism and theology. He has published a book on Enochic literature in ancient Jewish and Christian traditions.
Grant is joint editor of Brill’s Studia in Veteris Testamenti Pseudepigrapha.
View Grant’s profile
Dr Logan Williams
Logan is the Kirby Laing Research Fellow in New Testament. He has published on ritual purity and eschatology in the Gospel of Mark, and Christology and ethics in Galatians.
His current research explores the relationship between ritual and human transformation in Jewish and Christian antiquity.
Logan was winner of the 2022 Paul J. Achtemeier Award for New Testament Scholarship.
View Logan’s profileYour support team
Our friendly team are here to answer any queries you have before, during and after your studies.
Dr Katherine Hockey
Katherine is the degree coordinator. She’ll be on hand to answer any questions about degree content before you start and to help you throughout your studies.
Kate Smith
Kate is part of the School’s support team. She’ll be there throughout your studies to answer any of your non-academic queries.
Get in touch
The online education team is here to answer any questions you have right now about this qualification, or about studying online.
Ask us a questionWhere this will take you
Your PgDip qualification
On successful completion of this programme, you’ll earn a respected PgDip in New Testament and Early Christianity from the University of Aberdeen, one of the UK’s six ancient universities.
You’ll receive exactly the same qualification online as you would on campus. Your PgDip title will not mention online or distance learning.
Towards a Masters in Theology
You’ll earn 120 credits at Masters level (SCQF Level 11) with this PgDip.
You can use these credits towards our Masters in Theology (180 credits), which may also serve as preparation to undertake a PhD.
Careers
All of the courses that are part of this PgDip are ideal continuing professional development (CPD) courses for those working in:
Faith communities
- including ministers, priests, and volunteers in churches or faith-based organisations.
Educational settings
- including teachers providing religious and moral education in non-denominational schools, and teachers in private faith-based schools.
Lifelong career support
Our career support doesn’t stop when you graduate.
You have access to our free careers service while you study, and beyond.
- 1:1 appointments
- CV checks
- Interview prep
- Job opportunities
Fees and funding
Postgraduate Diploma
120 credits
£7,220
This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
The fee quoted above is based on you starting your studies with us in the 2025/26 academic year.
Our indicative cost includes a 5% fee rise each year.
Pay as you go
This is a pay-as-you-go qualification.
You do not have to pay the full tuition fee upfront.
You can spread the cost and pay as you go, term by term.
How it works
- You decide how many credits to study for each term.
- At the start of term, you pay only for the credits you’re taking that term.
- This gives you control over your costs and workload for each term of your qualification.
Your personalised cost breakdown
Use the degree scheduler to plan your studies and see your cost breakdown, term by term.
Entry requirements
PgDip
- 2:1 UK honours degree in a relevant discipline, or
- equivalent qualifications (normally a 3.0 GPA in North America).
You’re also welcome to apply if you have:
- other relevant qualifications, and
- professional experience with supportive references.
Apply for this programme
- Start month
- September or January
- INDICATIVE COST
- £7,220
This indicative cost is based on 120 credits of study over two years, starting in September 2025.
Apply via our Applicant Portal
