Bachelor of Theology

The Bachelor of Theology is a three-year undergraduate degree for people who want to study the Christian faith seriously, its texts, its history, its ideas and its practice. It sits at level 7 on the Australian Qualifications Framework, the same level as any other bachelor degree in Australia. You will work through the core disciplines: biblical studies in both Old and New Testaments, church history, systematic and moral theology, and the study of religion in its social and cultural setting. Along the way you pick up the tools of the trade, how to read a text closely, how to weigh an argument, how to write clearly about things that matter.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees are built from units of study, each carrying a set number of credit points. A full-time load is usually four units a semester, and you need a set total of credit points to graduate. Most institutions run two semesters a year, some run three trimesters, and the exact pattern varies. The first year tends to be broad, you sample the main areas before choosing where to go deeper. Later years let you specialise, often through a major sequence in one field such as biblical studies or theology. Many students finish with a capstone unit, a supervised research project or a longer essay that pulls their learning together. Confirm the unit list, credit point totals and any majors on the official course page, because these details are set by the institution.

Skills you build

You learn to read ancient texts in translation and in their historical context. You learn to trace how ideas developed over centuries and how they shape institutions today. You learn to construct an argument, use evidence, and write it up properly. You also learn to listen, to different traditions, to people who disagree with you, and to the communities you might later serve. These are transferable skills. They are the same skills that make good teachers, researchers, writers, counsellors and community leaders.

Who it suits

This degree suits school leavers with an interest in religion, history or philosophy, and it suits mature-age students preparing for ministry, chaplaincy or further academic work. It also suits people already working in churches, schools or community organisations who want formal grounding in the tradition they work within. If you are considering ordained ministry, check with your denomination about which units it requires, the degree gives you the academic base, but the church body sets its own requirements. International students should note the English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common standard for undergraduate study, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself, so you need to meet both. While studying, a student visa generally allows work of up to 48 hours per fortnight during the term. After graduating, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may be available, depending on your circumstances. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register under course code 054676J. Check the official page for current fees, unit details and intake dates.

• Ministry and pastoral roles, churches, parishes and faith communities across Australia, including positions that require theological training.
• Chaplaincy, schools, hospitals, aged care, defence and prisons, where chaplains provide pastoral care alongside other staff.
• Religious education teaching, in faith-based schools, usually with a teaching qualification added on top.
• Community and not-for-profit organisations, welfare agencies, charities and mission organisations that value theological literacy.
• Writing, editing and communications, religious publishers, denominational media, and general publishing where research and clear writing matter.
• Research and further study, honours, master's and doctoral work in theology, biblical studies or religious studies, leading to academic and research careers.
• Counseling and pastoral care, often with further training in counselling or social work.