The Combined Institution will offer several  programmes of study in 2020:

Bachelor of Theology: A structured award taking a minimum of three years to complete.

Graduate Diploma in Theology: A more flexible programme for students who have already attained a degree level qualification.   The Graduate Diploma takes at least one year of full-time study or the equivalent part-time.

Both programmes are at undergraduate level (Level 7) and both offer a variety of ways you can undertake your studies; full-time or part-time, on-campus or by-distance.

 Diploma (Level  6) with 3 strands :

The Diploma is 120 credits which is equivalent to one year study full-time (1.0 EFTS).

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (Level 6) Christian Leadership)

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (Level 6) Pastoral Ministry

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies (Level 6) Religious Education

Certificate (Level 5) with two strands

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry (60 credits)

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies -Religious Education (80 credits)

What is a programme of study?

A programme of study leads to a qualification.  You can study towads

A Bachelor of Theology  (Level 7)

Graduate Diploma in Theology. (Level 7)

Diploma (Level 6) – see various diplomas above

Certificate (Level 5) – see various certificates above

Each qualification is made up of a number of courses that are referred to as papers.  You must be admitted to a programme to take papers.  If you want to complete individual papers and are not interested in working towards a full qualification, you may be able to enrol in a Certificate of Personal Interest which, it is hoped, will be announced later in 2019.

How long do the awards take to complete?

The time  to complete a qualification is dependent upon the number of papers (Link perhaps) you can take each semester.

Bachelor of Theology degree generally take three years of full-time study, although there are other options. It is a level 7 award of 360 points or 24 papers. A full-time student does 120 credits in a year.  That is four papers each semester.  All of our papers are the same size, 15 credit points.  4 papers x 15 credits = 60 credits in a semester.  There are two semesters in a year 60 + 60 = 120 credit points. Part-time or distance students will take longer to complete the degree.  Refer to the mode of study table for more details both for Bachelor and Graduate Diploma Programmes.

Graduate DIPLOMA in Theology – which is a Level 7 award:  The eight papers that make up the diploma can be completed in:

• • • One year of full-time study as an on-campus student,  or
    • Minimum of 2 years if studying by-distance, or
    • Minimum of 18 months if a part-time student studying on-campus

Please note that papers are completed each semester.The tertiary year consists of two semesters. Programmes can be commenced in either semester one (February) or semester two (July)

Diplomas (Level 6)  The Diploma is 120 credits which is equivalent to one year study full-time (1.0 eft).

Certificates (Level 5). These papers are 10 credits each

What background do I need?

The Graduate Diploma in Theology requires a degree-level qualification to gain admission.

The Bachelor of Theology Degree requires a University Entrance qualification or  special admission if 21 years of age or over.

New Zealand Diploma in Christian Studies

(strands in Christian Leadership; Pastoral Ministry; Religious Education; Theological Studies)
Intending students must have either the New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry or Religious Education; or a Level 5 Certificate in a similar area of study; or evidence of equivalent work experience and learning at level 5.

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Christian Ministry

Open-entry to all students over the age of 17, who have left school and display a proven ability to cope with tertiary education.

New Zealand Certificate in Christian Studies – Religious Education

This is open to students enrolled in University Colleges of Education (or equivalent) and practising teachers. There is a pre-service component for teacher trainees and an in-service component for qualified teachers.

While general admission is based on your previous qualifications and results, special admission to the degree is available if you are 21 years or over and do not have a recognised University Entrance qualification, but have relevant work and life experience.

Papers>>