Bachelor of Philosophy/ Bachelor of Theology

This is a five-year double degree that pairs philosophy with theology. You study both disciplines side by side, which means you spend your undergraduate years asking two sets of questions at once: what can we know, and what does it mean to believe? The philosophy half covers logic, ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and the history of ideas from the ancient Greeks through to contemporary debates. The theology half covers scripture, church history, systematic theology, moral theology and the study of religion in its cultural setting. Because the two fields overlap constantly, arguments for the existence of God, the problem of evil, faith and reason, the ethics of human life, you get to work on those questions from both directions rather than in isolation.

How the degree is structured

Australian bachelor degrees normally run three years full time. A double degree like this one takes five years because you complete the requirements of two separate awards. Study is organised into semesters, and you enrol in units of study, each worth a set number of credit points. You need to accumulate the required credit points in both philosophy and theology, plus any core units the university sets for all students. Assessment is usually a mix of essays, tutorial participation, exams and, in later years, longer research papers. The final year typically includes a substantial research project or thesis unit in one or both disciplines, where you work closely with an academic supervisor. If you want to keep going after this, an honours year adds a fourth year to a single bachelor degree; a master's takes one to two years; a doctorate three or more.

Skills you build

You learn to read difficult texts slowly and carefully, to spot a weak argument, to write clearly about abstract ideas, and to hold your own in a tutorial where everyone disagrees with you. Theology adds another layer: you learn to interpret religious texts in their historical and cultural contexts, and to think about how belief systems shape societies. By the end you can research a question, weigh competing answers, and present a reasoned case in writing and speech. Those are the skills employers actually notice.

Who it suits

This degree suits students who want to think seriously about religion and philosophy without choosing between them. It is a good fit if you are considering teaching, ministry, law, journalism, public policy or further academic study, and you want a qualification that trains you to reason and write. The University of Notre Dame Australia has campuses in Fremantle, Sydney and Broome, and its philosophy and theology programs sit within a Catholic intellectual tradition while welcoming students of any background or belief. Some graduates go on to professional accreditation in teaching or ministry, depending on the units they choose, so check the official page for the current structure and any accreditation pathways. International students should confirm English language requirements, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 is the common undergraduate standard, higher for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work, and note that the Student visa has its own English threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs. While studying, student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during 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; check the official course page for the current fees and intake details.

• Secondary school teacher, with a teaching qualification, in government, Catholic and independent schools across Australia
• Policy officer or analyst, in federal and state public services, think tanks and NGOs
• Journalist or editor, in newsrooms, publishing and digital media
• Legal professional, after further study, in law firms, community legal centres and government
• Minister or pastoral worker, in churches, chaplaincy and faith-based organisations
• University researcher or academic, after honours and postgraduate study
• Ethics officer or compliance adviser, in health, research and corporate settings
• Writer or communications specialist, in publishing, public relations and the arts