Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Philosophy
Course information for - 2023 entry
Offered at 5 locations
- Study mode
- Multi-mode
- Duration
- 4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
- VTAC code
- 1200210171
- ATAR
- 58.50 for Melbourne
- Fees (first year)*
$15136 CSP
- Start dates
-
Semester 1 intake: Not availableMidyear (Semester 2) intake: Beginning July 2023Applications open April 2023
Overview
This unique double degree provides students with the broad knowledge, skills and flexibility offered by a liberal arts program, but enhanced by a specialised focus on theology and philosophy. Studying theology and philosophy will equip students with an understanding of the foundations of the modern world and Western civilisation, enhancing their ability to critically engage with and respond to the key challenges faced by today's societies, governments and organisations.
Global experience is strongly encouraged, with study abroad opportunities available at the ACU Rome Centre, with one of our partner institutions in Europe or the United States, or in Israel with a study tour.
Students develop the skills necessary to become attentive and careful interpreters of historical and contemporary texts and contexts, and to critically examine complex and confronting issues. Students also enhance their capacity to evaluate and discriminate between multiple viewpoints, and to develop and articulate compelling arguments – both orally and in writing.
Professional experience
You will be required to complete a minimum of 70 hours of Community Engagement through the Christian Community Engagement unit.
Community engagement
As part of your degree, you will undertake Christian Community Engagement, which involves 150 hours of focused learning, or the equivalent of 10 hours per week for 15 weeks. This includes a minimum of 70 hours placement, together with up to 10 hours in class with a School of Theology appointed mentor and other students enrolled in the unit. The remaining time will include completing an online module on Working with Children and Vulnerable Adults, preparing a learning contract, writing a reflection paper on the placement and giving an oral report to the class.
Careers
Graduates are prepared for careers across a wide variety of professions, such as:
- lecturing, research or academia
- journalism or writing
- ethics consultancy to business
- bioethics/health care ethics
- public policy
- chaplaincy, ministry and other church related careers (including lay ministry)
- youth and social work
- pastoral work
- community work and advocacy
- education, teaching, curriculum design (with further study)
- psychology (with further study)
Course details
Course structure
To complete the Bachelor of Theology/Bachelor of Philosophy, a student must complete 320 credit points (cp).
Sample program map
| Year - Study period | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 - Semester 1 | *THBS100 Introduction to the Bible 10cp | *THEL103 Christianity Established: From Sect to Society 10cp | PHIL100 Philosophy: the Big Questions (PM) 10cp OR THEL100 Biblical Hebrew A 10cp OR THEL101 New Testament Greek A 10cp | Philosophy Major 1 10cp (100 level unit) | |
| Year 1 - Semester 2 | *THCT100 What Christians Believe 10cp | *THCP105 Prayer and Liturgy 10cp | Philosophy Major 2 10cp (100 level unit) | *UNCC100 Self and Community: Exploring the Anatomy of Modern Society 10cp OR *PHCC102 Being Human 10cp OR *PHCC104 Ethics and the Good Life 10cp | |
| Year 2 - Semester 1 | *THCT220 Theological Thinking and Methods 10cp OR Elective 10cp | THCT212 Jesus the Christ 10cp OR THCT213 The Triune God 10cp | Elective 10cp | Philosophy Major 3 10cp | |
| Year 2 - Semester 2 | *THBS220 Critical Approaches to the Bible: Interpretation and Exegesis 10cp OR Elective 10cp | *THCT202 Christian Symbol, Ritual and Sacrament 10cp | Elective 10cp | Philosophy Major 4 10cp | |
| Year 3 - Semester 1 | THBS209 New Testament Letters 10cp OR THBS210 The Canonical Gospels 10cp | THCT212 Jesus the Christ 10cp OR THCT213 The Triune God 10cp | Elective 10cp | Philosophy Major 5 10cp | |
| Year 3 - Semester 2 | THBS205 Narratives of Ancient Israel 10cp OR Elective 10cp | THBS303 Biblical Prophets 10cp OR THCT316 Introduction to Moral Theology 10cp | Elective 10cp | Philosophy Major 6 10cp | |
| Year 4 - Semester 1 | THBS209 New Testament Letters 10cp OR THBS210 The Canonical Gospels 10cp | *UNCC300 Justice and Change in a Global World 10cp OR *PHCC320 The Just Society 10cp | Elective 10cp | Philosophy Major 7 10cp (300 level unit) | |
| Year 4 - Semester 2 | THBS205 Narratives of Ancient Israel 10cp OR Elective 10cp | THBS302 Johannine Literature 10cp OR THCT307 Church: Its Nature and Mission 10cp | THCP304 Christian Community Engagement 10cp | Philosophy Major 8 10cp (300 level unit) |
This is a sample program only and units will vary depending on your campus and mode of study. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
*This unit is offered annually. All other units are offered on a two-year cycle.
Note: Unit offerings vary across all campuses. Philosophy Major (PM) units are flexible. Students can select from a broad range of philosophy units to complete their major (the listed units are examples of available units).
A blank cell indicates that there are no additional units required for that study period.
This is a sample program only and units will vary between states. Please refer to the handbook for the prerequisite units and the current listing.
AQF framework
Exit Points
A student who has completed 40 cp in Philosophy units may exit with the Non-Award Certificate in Philosophy.
A student who has completed 40 cp in Theology units, including THBS100 Introduction to the Bible and THCT100 What Christians Believe, may exit with the Non-Award Certificate in Theology.
A student who has completed 80 cp in Philosophy units may exit with the Diploma in Philosophy.
A student who has completed 80 cp in Theology units, including THBS100 Introduction to the Bible and THCT100 What Christians Believe, may exit with the Diploma in Theology.
A student who has completed 160 cp in Philosophy units may exit with the Associate Degree in Philosophy.
A student who has completed 160 cp in Theology units, including THBS100 Introduction to the Bible and THCT100 What Christians Believe, may exit with the Associate Degree in Theology
Entry requirements
An applicant must also comply with the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
International students need to meet the English Language Proficiency requirements as defined in the Admission to Coursework Programs Policy.
To be eligible for admission to the course, an applicant must have completed the following prerequisites at year 12, or equivalent:
| State | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
New South Wales | Assumed knowledge: Nil |
Queensland | Prerequisites: English (Units 3 & 4, C) |
Victoria | Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 - a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English. |
Disclaimer: The course entry requirements above are for 2023 Admission. Refer to your relevant Tertiary Admission Centre website for future years' entry requirements.
View transparency admission information
Applicants with recent secondary education
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If your school result was affected by circumstances outside of your control, such as financial hardship, illness, disability or a challenging home environment, you may qualify for an access scheme. You can apply through your TAC as part of your application process.
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
For current year 12 students
If you’re a current Year 12 applicant you can be given a selection rank separate from, and in addition to, your ATAR if you’ve completed a competency-based and graded AQF Certificate III or above.
For non-school leavers
If you’ve completed, or are completing a competency-based AQF Certificate IV or AQF diploma you will be assigned a selection rank by your local Tertiary Admission Centre (TAC). This is an entry score based on your individual qualifications and achievements.
ACU has partnerships with ACU College, TAFE, and many private education providers. If you have completed a qualification with one of these partners, you may be eligible for guaranteed entry and/or credit into a related ACU degree. Please apply through your local TAC and then submit a credit application for your previous study.
Applicants with higher education study
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have completed at least two units of AQF-recognised study at bachelor level or above, you’ll be assigned a selection rank based on your study level, duration and grade point average that will be applied during the admission process.
If your previous study has equipped you with knowledge, skills or experiences that align with the learning outcomes of units in your new course you may be able to apply for recognition of prior learning and you may be able to complete your course sooner.
Applicants with work and life experience
You’ll need to meet the minimum entry requirements and subject prerequisites for your chosen course.
If you have no formal education qualifications you may be eligible for a selection rank based on your work, life or service experience.
- If you’ve been in paid employment, relevant to the course you’re applying for, for a minimum of six months full-time (or equivalent), this work may be assessed for your selection rank.
- If you’re 21 years or older you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) through your local TAC.
- You can apply for an ACU bridging course. Our bridging courses allow you to transition back into studying and can give you a head start on the relevant undergraduate degree.
- If you have served in the defence force, your rank and time in service may contribute to your selection rank.
Adjustment factors
If you’re currently completing Year 12 you may be eligible for adjustment factors that can boost your rank and help you get into your desired course.
Adjustment factors may be applied to your TAC application if you study particular subjects, attend schools geographically close to our campuses or in certain regional areas, apply as an elite athlete or performer or meet certain other criteria.
Inherent requirement
There are essential components of a course or unit that demonstrate the capabilities, knowledge and skills to achieve the core learning outcomes of that course or unit. You will need to be able to meet these inherent requirements to complete your course.
Learn more about inherent requirements for your course and how they affect you
Pathways
Pathways into course for current or recent Year 12 students
If you can’t meet the ATAR requirement for your choice of course and you’re currently completing Year 12 or finished Year 12 in the two years previously, we have entry programs to get you where you want to be.
Alternatively, you may be able to complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course:
- ACU non-award Certificate in Theology or Certificate in Philosophy
Pathways into course for applicants with previous study and/or life experience
Are you applying to ACU as a non-school leaver?
By that we mean, you’re not currently completing Year 12 and haven’t completed it in the two years previously. If the answer is yes and your selection rank isn’t enough to meet the requirements for your desired course you still have a number of options to help you achieve your study goals.
If you’re over 21, you can sit the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT), or you can complete a diploma or bridging course relevant to your desired course.
Articulation from another course
- ACU non-award Certificate in Theology or Certificate in Philosophy
Further study
High-achieving students can progress to honours study or a range of postgraduate coursework programs.
Fees
Course costs
$15136 CSP
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a full-time study load of 40 credit points (normally 4 units) per semester.
A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:
- the number of units studied per semester;
- the choice of major or specialisation; and
- elective units.
The University reviews fees annually.
Payment options
You should be able to concentrate on getting good marks instead of worrying about how you’ll pay your fees. We have a number of options that can help you ease the financial burden, including government assistance, scholarships and income support.
Scholarships
You could be eligible for one of the hundreds of scholarships we award each year to help students from across the university with the cost of studying, accommodation or overseas study opportunities. Some of our scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, but these aren’t just for the academically gifted; ACU also recognises excellence in community engagement and leadership. We also offer a range of scholarships for those who may be struggling financially or who have faced other barriers to accessing education.
How to apply
Domestic applicants
If you are a Year 12 student you must apply through VTAC, UAC or QTAC. Unfortunately, a Direct application cannot be considered.
You can apply Direct to ACU if you are not a recent school leaver and have not already applied through VTAC, UAC or QTAC.
Deferment
Deferment is available for one year. Find out more about deferment: Deferment Information.
Testimonial
“ACU’s staff are more helpful than I could have ever expected. I feel like my lecturers truly do want me to succeed with my studies. The depth of resources that are made available in all respects to pursue knowledge as far as it can go is what I really like about my degree. I hope to awaken a fresh understanding of the importance of theology and philosophy in a well-rounded life.”