Aberdeen University has partnered with Zomba Theological College in Malawi and will teach church leaders in the African nation.
Rev George Cowie of South Holburn Parish Church, said: "The developing relationship between the college and university is to be welcomed and celebrated.
"By sharing our heritage of education we deepen the longstanding relationship between our two countries."
The university has made admission easier by reducing its fees by 85 per cent. Students can also apply for funding from a £20,000 scholarship programme set up by the World Mission Council of the Church of Scotland.
A total of 14 students have been accepted onto the two year, part-time Mth in Ministry Studies, which starts in September.
The initiative is supported by the Church of Scotland which is partnered with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian.
Rev Dr Kenneth Jeffrey, co-ordinator of the Centre for Ministry Studies at Aberdeen University who is responsible for the MTh Ministry Studies programme, said: "This is a new and exciting partnership."
He added that before the creation of the programme "ministers from Malawi had to travel beyond the country to other African nations, the UK and USA to undertake post graduate study".
Rev Alex Benson Maulana, General Secretary of the Synod of Blantyre, also welcomed the new partnership.
He said: "Africa as a whole is growing, from an education point of view, and we need to upgrade the way we do things.
"I think the church in Malawi is going to benefit a lot."
