Bachelor of Theology (Korean)

The Bachelor of Theology (Korean) is a three-year degree taught in Korean at the Australian University College of Divinity. It sits at AQF level 7, the same level as any Australian bachelor degree. You study the Bible, Christian doctrine, church history and pastoral practice, with the language of instruction and assessment being Korean. That matters if you want to train for ministry in a Korean-speaking congregation in Australia or overseas, or if you want to study theology without first having to write essays in English.

How the degree is structured

Like most Australian bachelor degrees, it runs over three years of full-time study, usually across two semesters a year. You accumulate credit points by passing units of study, core units in biblical studies, theology and church history, plus electives and practical ministry units. There is normally a capstone unit or supervised ministry placement in the final year, where you work in a church or ministry setting under supervision and reflect on the experience in Korean. Some students spread the degree over more years part-time, which suits people already working in a congregation.

What you actually study

Expect to read and interpret the Old and New Testaments in Korean translation and in the original languages where the course includes them. You will work through systematic theology, ethics, church history and worship. Pastoral units cover preaching, counselling, pastoral care and leadership in a congregation. Assessment is a mix of essays, exegesis papers, exams and practical evaluations of your ministry work. The Korean-language delivery means you engage with Korean theological texts and Korean church traditions alongside Western scholarship.

Who it suits

This degree suits people preparing for pastoral ministry, chaplaincy or church leadership in Korean-speaking communities, and people who want a theological education grounded in their own language. It also suits students who have completed secondary school in Korea or another Korean-language setting and want to study in Australia without meeting a high English threshold for admission. If you are an international student, you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream after you finish, depending on your circumstances. English requirements for entry are published by the institution; confirm current details, tuition and intake dates on the official page or the CRICOS register (course code 063705A).

• Pastor or associate pastor in a Korean-speaking church in Australia or overseas
• Chaplain in hospitals, aged care, schools or the defence forces
• Church planter or ministry worker
• Youth or community ministry coordinator
• Religious education teacher in a faith-based school (additional teaching qualification may be required)
• Missionary or cross-cultural worker
• Pastoral counsellor within a church or faith-based organisation
• Roles in faith-based charities and community organisations