25/09/2026
The University of Edinburgh has announced it is cutting its Divinity and Master of Divinity degrees, ending a tradition of theological education that dates back to the university's founding in 1583. The move is part of a broader effort to address a £140 million shortfall, with 90 courses being cut across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The university says the cuts reflect "student demand" and a changing jobs market. The University and College Union has announced a five-week strike in response, seeking to protect staff from compulsory redundancies.
Edinburgh is not alone. Bath Spa University has already closed its theology department, and Exeter announced significant cuts to its own department earlier this summer. The retreat from theology at the university level comes as the Church of England struggles to recruit enough clergy. After four years of decline, 442 people entered ordination training last September, up from a low of 329 the year before. But that is still far short of the 630 new clergy the Ministry Council estimates the Church needs annually. Save the Parish has pointed to a lack of confidence in ministry as a major obstacle to recruitment.
Despite the closures, some see reason for hope. Dr. Michael Tang, who earned his PhD in Theology from Birmingham University, told Premier Christian News that interest among Gen Z remains strong, just not on campus. He described young people gathering in coffee shops during church hours to read the Bible together, suggesting theology is increasingly happening outside university settings. "Don't read it as a sign that theology doesn't matter... it still matters," Tang said. He argued that universities need to revisit their mission for teaching theology, rather than treating it as a purely academic pursuit.
Tang's own experience illustrates the challenges of pursuing theology academically. After completing his PhD, he was unemployed for a year and now works as a barista. His advice to prospective students is to question their motivations before signing up. "If people are very scholarly and want to become a theologian, of course going down the academic path is right for them," he said. "But not everyone wants to become a theologian. So figuring out why you want to study theology in the first place is very important." As Christians, we know that theology matters. The study of God and His Word is not just an academic exercise but a pursuit of truth that shapes how we live and love. Please pray for the students and faculty affected by these cuts, and for the Church to raise up faithful teachers and pastors for the days ahead.
