Admission

Applications for admission to the research degree programs can be made online and are sent to the Director of Research in the Office of the Dean and are processed by the Research Committee under guidelines set down by the Academic Board. Normal entry is determined on the basis of completed accredited postgraduate study and GPA, depending on the course being considered, as well as an appropriate IELTS score for overseas students. The SCD Graduate Research School may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in their proposed field of research.

Entry requirements

Master of Philosophy
AQF level 9

Satisfactory completion of a four year Bachelor (Honours) with results at Class II, Division 1or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Satisfactory completion of a Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 cpt research unit at Distinction level or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Qualification from another university or tertiary institution deemed to be equivalent to or higher than those above, with English Proficiency ¹;
In all cases, the prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed research in a theologically related area.
In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theological study in which they wish to pursue research;
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the College may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the College;
In addition, Overseas students ³ must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses.

Doctor of Ministry
AQF level 10

Satisfactory completion of a four year BTh(Hons) degree with results at Class II or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Satisfactory completion of a Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 2.8+ and one 18 cpt research unit at High Credit level or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Qualification from another university or tertiary institution deemed to be equivalent to or higher than those above, with English Proficiency ¹; and
Shall have at least four years full-time, or equivalent part-time, certified experience of ministry.
In all cases, prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed coursework and research related to Christian Life and Ministry.
In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theological study in which they wish to pursue research;
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the College may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the College;
In addition, Overseas students ³ must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 33.3% distance or online learning.

Doctor of Philosophy
AQF level 10

Satisfactory completion of a four year BTh(Hons) degree with results at Class II, Division I or better, from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Satisfactory completion of a Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 cpt research unit at Distinction level or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Qualification from another university or tertiary institution deemed to be equivalent to or higher than those above, with English Proficiency ¹;
In all cases, prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed research in a theologically related area.
In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theological study in which they wish to pursue research;
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the College may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the College;
In addition, Overseas students ³ must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses.

Doctor of Theology
AQF level 10

Satisfactory completion of a four year BTh(Hons) degree with results at Class II, Division I or better, from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Satisfactory completion of a Graduate Diploma with a GPA of 3+ and one 18 cpt research unit at Distinction level or better from the Sydney College of Divinity or an equivalent institution, with English Proficiency ¹; or
Qualification from another university or tertiary institution deemed to be equivalent to or higher than those above, with English Proficiency ¹;
In all cases, prior studies should include sufficient preparation to undertake the proposed research in a theologically related area.
In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theology in which they wish to pursue doctoral work.
Notwithstanding the provisions above, the Sydney College of Divinity may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the Sydney College of Divinity;
In addition, Overseas students ³ must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses.

¹ English Language Proficiency

This policy applies to all students, except those entering Australia to study on a student visa. These students are Overseas Students ³and requirements are listed below.

If students have undertaken their previous studies in an overseas country, they may have to provide proof of proficiency in English to gain entry into a Sydney College of Divinity award.

Students do not have to provide proof of proficiency in English if they have:

completed an accredited award in English at one AQF level below the award that they are seeking admission into; or
have successfully completed senior secondary study in English; or
have successfully completed at least one year of full-time university study in English in the field of Humanities.

Students must provide proof of proficiency in English if they have undertaken all their qualifications in a language other than English.

Those students who have not completed previous studies in English may demonstrate proficiency in English by completing an IELTS test (or equivalent). The test results required for admission into a postgraduate research award is 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test.

³ Overseas Students

(Students who are entering Australia to study on a student visa. This does not include students who are residing outside of Australia during their course of study)

The SCD welcomes overseas students but admission to the SCD is governed by the requirements of the Australian Government and the SCD requirements (as set out above).
Once the overseas student makes an application, the student’s academic qualifications are matched against the entry criteria to confirm their potential admission. Student’s previous academic qualifications are evaluated with the help of AEI Country Education Profiles (CEP) online data. The students English language proficiency is determined by an IELTS test (or equivalent).
Overseas students may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 33.3% distance or online learning.
All relevant documents must be submitted with the application, as applications which are inadequately documented cannot be considered.
When enrolling in SCD courses in English language:
1. students are expected to be proficient in English;
2. assessment tasks shall be set and examined in that language unless special permission to do otherwise is granted by the Academic Board;
3. students who gained their qualifications for admission to any of the SCD’s postgraduate awards from the level of research Master in a language other than English, must accompany their application for admission with an IELTS (or equivalent) result of normally not less than 7.0 in all bands of the test;
4. applicants already in Australia who are required to take an English test shall be advised;
The information contained in this policy is communicated to the overseas student at the point of initial contact. Hard copy is included in the application package sent to the prospective student prior to them making application.

Overseas University Qualifications

The equivalence of Overseas University and Tertiary Institution qualifications is determined by the Student Administration Committee and Research Committee using the AEI Country Education Profile (CEP – NOOSR) on-line data as provided by the Australian Government.

Restrictions on Admission

There are no quotas placed on entry into Postgraduate Research Degree candidature. However, students are only permitted to enrol formally once a thesis topic has been approved and appropriate Supervisors have been found.

Admission Process

Students can enrol online after they have contacted the Research Director to discuss their proposed study. Prior to enrolment and before tuition fees are paid, students are informed of their rights and obligations including –

All changes and proposed changes to their course of study over the duration of their course
Policies, arrangements and potential eligibility for credit for prior learning
Policies on tuition protection and refund of charges

General Regulations

Admission