Personal Study Plan – Study Option
Friday Morning Systematics
Open to all, this study option offers a wonderful opportunity to explore what the whole Bible teaches about God, salvation, the church and the Christian life — helping you grow in knowledge, wrestle with big questions more confidently, and deepen your love for God.
Applications for the 2026–27 academic session will open once the timetable is confirmed.
Edinburgh Theological Seminary offers the opportunity for in-depth study of Systematic Theology every Friday morning throughout the academic year.
These courses are open to anyone and can be studied on a Personal Study Plan.
Flexible Learning
Participants do not need to study the whole BTh degree and they do not have to sit any assignments.
Classes meet on Fridays from 9am to 1pm during term time at ETS.
Systematic Theology aims to explore what the whole Bible teaches about any particular topic. It offers a wonderful opportunity to grow in knowledge of the what the Bible teaches, to grow in confidence for wrestling with big questions, and to grow in love for the God who has done so much for us through his Son.
Open to All
We are opening this study opportunity to all, no matter what age and stage you may be at. The focussed format of a Friday morning class means that this is an excellent opportunity for people who are retired, for students studying other subjects with a little space in their week, and for Christians whose work or other commitments allow them the flexibility to join us on a Friday morning.
Distance Learning
Students can attend in-person or via online distance learning. Find out more about distance learning here.
2026/2027
Term 1 – Autumn 2026
8 weeks from Friday 4th September
ST301 Christology
Dr Ben Castaneda
This class explores the Person and Work of Christ in the context of Covenant Theology. The class engages with key historical theologians and controversies while at the same time grappling with current questions and challenges for the church today.
Term 2 – Winter 2026-2027
4 weeks from Friday 20 November and 4 weeks from Friday 8 January
ST302 Soteriology
Dr Thomas Davis
Soteriology refers to the Doctrine of Salvation. This class examines how everything that Christ accomplished on the cross is then applied to his people. It walks through the Ordo Salutis (Order of Salvation), revealing more of the fulness and wonder of the gospel.
Term 3 – Spring 2027
8 weeks from Friday 26th February
ST303 Ecclesiology & Eschatology
with Principal Iver Martin (and other guest lecturers)
This course is in two parts. The first explores the doctrine of Church; her nature, purpose, government and practices. The second half looks to the End Times and examines what the Bible teaches about the return of Christ, the final judgment, and the glory of the New Creation.
2027/2028
Term 1 – Autumn 2027
ST201 Theology Proper
Dr Cory Brock
Theology Proper looks at the Doctrine of God. In particular, this class takes an in-depth look at the Doctrine of the Trinity, explore more of the majesty of the eternal, simple, unchangeable, glorious Triune God, Father Son and Spirt, as he is revealed in the Bible.
Term 2 – Winter 2027-28
ST202 Anthropology
Dr Thomas Davis
Anthropology covers a wide range of subjects. This module looks at Creation, Providence, Humanity as the Image of God, Angels and Spiritual Reality, the Covenant of Works, the Fall of Man and the Doctrine of Sin.
Term 3 – Spring 2028
ST203 Christian Ethics
Dr Thomas Davis
Christian Ethics explores the moral framework set out in the Bible, particularly in the Ten Commandments and seeks to apply these moral principles to the ethical challenges facing Christians today. As part of this course, there is specialist input exploring medical bioethics from a Christian perspective.
Further Information
No formal entrance qualifications are required for the Personal Study Plan.
Students intending to study at Degree Credit level, however, would normally require university entrance qualifications as detailed in the Bachelor of Theology section.
The Senate will take into account not only conventional academic qualifications, but vocational or professional experience, completion of appropriate access courses, or possession of the Seminary’s own Certificate in Theology or Diploma in Christian Studies, which are completed through the Saturday Courses.
Personal Study Plan
£200* per module (with academic credits, assessments required)
£132* per module (without academic credits, no assessments required)
*These fees are for students resident in Scotland for 2026/27. For the fees for the rest of UK and overseas, please visit this page. Fees may increase for 2027/28.
View and download the latest Academic Calendar here.
Students who are doing the Personal Study Plan at Degree Credit level (i.e with formal assessments), and for whom English is not their first language, are required to sit a Secure English Language Test (SELT) and achieve an equivalent of IELTS 6.5 prior to entry onto the programme.
Find out more here.
Applications for the 2026–27 academic session will open once the timetable is confirmed.
