- All students, whether enrolled in the BD or the BTh, undertake a common program in the first three years of the College course. At the beginning of the course students must enrol in either the BD or the BTh However, they may apply to the Board of Studies to transfer to the other award at any time.
- The broad structure of the four-year course reflects a commitment to the principle of integration both within and across the theological disciplines. Accordingly, first year units generally take the form of overviews of each field of study which provide a context for detailed examination of the parts in years two and three. The fourth year introduces some specialist electives but normally as a means of drawing together the knowledge and skills acquired in the earlier years.
- Students normally progress to successive years of the College course if they pass all of their units and complete their vacation assignments.
- First year students who fail one unit may progress to second year as BD/BTh candidates. However,
- Old Testament 1 is a pre-requisite of Old Testament 2;
- Hebrew 1A is a pre-requisite of Hebrew 2;
- A pass in Hebrew 2 is a pre-requisite for Old Testament 2 (Hebrew option);
- New Testament 1 and Greek 1 are prerequisites of New Testament 2;
- A pass in Greek 2 is a pre-requisite for New Testament 2;
- Doctrine 1 is a pre-requisite of Doctrine 2; and
- Philosophy 1 is a pre-requisite of Philosophy 2.
- Students who fail Hebrew 1 must undertake a ‘bridging course’ in lieu of the assessments for Biblical Set Books. Details may be obtained from the Registrar’s Department.
- Entry into third year is restricted to those who pass all first year and at least four second year units. However,
- Hebrew 2 is a pre-requisite of Hebrew 3;
- A pass in Hebrew 3 is a pre-requisite for Old Testament 3 (Hebrew option);
- Old Testament 2 is a pre-requisite of Old Testament 3;
- New Testament 2 and Greek 2 are prerequisites of New Testament 3;
- Doctrine 2 is a pre-requisite of Doctrine 3; and
- Doctrine 2 and Philosophy 2 are both pre-requisites of Christian Ethics 3;
- The fourth year of the B.D. is a demanding one, and students wishing to embark upon it will probably struggle if their average over the first three years of the course has been less than 60%. B.D. students falling into this category are normally advised to transfer to the B.Th. at the end of second year, and B.Th. students advised not to transfer into the B.D. In any case, entry into fourth year is restricted to those who pass all second year and at least four third year units. However:
- Old Testament 3 and Hebrew 3 are pre-requisites for Old Testament 4 (Hebrew);
- New Testament 3 is a pre-requisite for New Testament 4;
- Doctrine 2 is a pre-requisite for Bible in the 3 rd Millennium;
- Doctrine 2 & 3 are pre-requisites for Issues in Theology and Shapers of Contemporary Theol.;
- Church History 2 is a pre-requisite for Australian Evangelical Movement; and
- Christian Ethics 3 is a pre-requisite of Social Ethics 4;
- Students who fail two or more units may need to repeat the year concerned. This requires the special permission of the Board of Studies.
- Government regulations mean that the College may not allow overseas students (holders of student visas) to repeat a unit more than once.
- The Board of Studies reserves the right to make exceptions to the above rules.
