Bachelor of Theology (Korean)

The Bachelor of Theology (Korean) is a three-year undergraduate degree taught in Korean at Iona Trinity College of Higher Education. It sits at AQF level 7, the same level as any Australian bachelor degree, so it carries the same weight for further study and for professional recognition. You study theology in your own language, which means you can engage seriously with biblical texts, church history and Christian doctrine without the extra cognitive load of doing all of it in English. That matters for students preparing for ministry in Korean-speaking congregations in Australia, and for students who want a theological education that stays connected to Korean church life.

What you actually study

Over three years full-time, you take units of study across the main theological disciplines. Expect biblical studies, Old and New Testament, exegesis, the languages and historical settings of the texts. Expect systematic and historical theology, the development of Christian doctrine, key thinkers and debates, and how the church has understood its faith across centuries. Expect practical theology, preaching, pastoral care, worship, mission and church leadership. Most Australian theology degrees also include some study of ethics and of the church in its social and cultural setting, and a research or capstone unit in the final year where you work on a sustained piece of writing under supervision. Each unit carries credit points, and you need to pass a set number to graduate. The exact unit list, credit point values and any majors or streams are set by the college, check the official course page and the CRICOS register entry for 116935M.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees run on semesters or trimesters. You enrol in a set number of units each study period, usually four per semester for full-time study, and the academic year runs from late February to November with a mid-year break. Assessment is typically a mix of essays, exegesis papers, exams, tutorials and practical assessments such as preaching or leading worship. Some units may include field education or supervised ministry placement, which is common in theology degrees because pastoral work is learned by doing it under someone experienced. If your goal is ordination, you will also need to meet the requirements of your denomination, which are separate from the degree itself.

Who it suits

This degree suits people who want to serve Korean-speaking churches in Australia as pastors, chaplains, missionaries or lay leaders. It also suits students who want a grounding in theology before further study, an honours year, a master's, or a research degree, and people who simply want to think carefully about Christian faith at university level. If you are coming from overseas, note that international students on a Student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, depending on the visa rules at the time. English proficiency is required for admission; the college publishes its accepted tests and scores, and the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the visa. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. Confirm all details, entry requirements, unit structure, fees and English scores, on the official page before you apply.

• Pastor or minister in Korean-speaking congregations in Australia
• Chaplain in hospitals, aged care, schools or the defence force
• Missionary or mission worker with churches and mission organisations
• Church administrator or ministry coordinator
• Youth or community worker in faith-based organisations
• Teacher or educator in religious settings, subject to any further qualification required
• Further study, honours, master's or research degrees in theology or related fields