Entry requirements
Domestic and international students can enrol anytime for the Higher Degree by Research courses. All MPhil, PhD and ThD candidates proceed to the award by research and thesis alone. For DMin candidates 20% of the award is by coursework and 80% by research and thesis.
Below is a brief summary of the entry requirements. The detailed entry requirements are found under the General Regulations of the Handbook. A complete picture about a course can be found in the course award summary.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
Entry into the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Research Program requires one of these three pathways:
- A Bachelor (Hons) degree or equivalent with results at Class II, Division 1, from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- A Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 credit point research unit research unit at Distinction level from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution;
- Qualifications deemed by the College to be equivalent to those above.
Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction will be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS result of 7.0 in all bands of the test and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
Applicants who have not undertaken an 18 credit point research unit may either enrol in such a unit at Sydney College of Divinity member institute or at an equivalent institution. Alternatively, Applicants may complete a Qualifying Essay through the Sydney College of Divinity by application to the Research Director.
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Entry into the Doctor of Ministry (DMin) Research Program requires one of these three pathways:
- A Bachelor (Hons) degree or equivalent with results at Class II from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- A Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 2.8+ and one 18 credit point research unit research unit at High Credit level from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- Qualifications deemed by the College to be equivalent to or higher than those above,
AND have at least four years’ full-time or equivalent part-time certified experience in ministry.
Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction will be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS result of 7.0 in all bands of the test and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
Applicants who have not undertaken an 18 credit point research unit research unit may either enrol in such a unit at Sydney College of Divinity member institute or at an equivalent institution. Alternatively, Applicants may complete a Qualifying Essay through the Sydney College of Divinity by application to the Research Director.
Before candidates can progress to the thesis proper, there is coursework component which consists of two 18 credit point research units (R10001 and R10002), each relevant to the theology and methodology of ministry research and scholarship and, consequently, the development of the Thesis Proposal. Each must be completed with at least a High Credit average.
- R10001 Pastoral and Practical Theology: Hermeneutics and Methodological Paradigms
- R10002 Research Settings in Pastoral and Practical Theology
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Entry into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Research Program requires one of these three pathways:
- A Bachelor (Hons) degree or equivalent with results at Class II, Division 1, from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- A Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 credit point research unit at Distinction level from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- Qualifications deemed by the College to be equivalent to or higher than those above.
In all cases, prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed research in a theologically related area.
Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction will be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS result of 7.0 in all bands of the test and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
Applicants who have not undertaken an 18 credit point research unit may either enrol in such a unit at Sydney College of Divinity member institute or at an equivalent institution. Alternatively, Applicants may complete a Qualifying Essay through the Sydney College of Divinity by application to the Research Director.
Doctor of Theology (ThD)
Entry into the Doctor of Theology (ThD) Research Program requires one of these three pathways:
- A Bachelor (Hons) degree or equivalent with results at Class II, Division 1, from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- A Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 credit point research unit at Distinction level from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution; or
- Qualifications deemed by the College to be equivalent to or higher than those above.
In all cases, prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed research in a theological discipline.
Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction will be required to demonstrate competency in English by an IELTS result of 7.0 in all bands of the test and may be required to attend such English language courses as prescribed by the Sydney College of Divinity.
Applicants who have not undertaken an 18 credit point research unit may either enrol in such a unit at Sydney College of Divinity member institute or at an equivalent institution. Alternatively, Applicants may complete a Qualifying Essay through the Sydney College of Divinity by application to the Research Director.