 He then studied practical theology and Christian ethics at the University of St Andrews, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity (BD) in 1992.From 1992 to 1995, Holdsworth was a layman working with St Benet's Chaplaincy, the inter-denominational Christian chaplaincy of Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London.In 1995, he entered the Theological Institute of the Scottish Episcopal Church to train for ordination.