Master of Theology

The Master of Theology at Australian University College of Divinity is a 1.5-year postgraduate degree for people who want to think seriously about Christian faith and its place in the world. You will study biblical texts in their original languages and historical settings, wrestle with systematic and moral theology, and examine how the church has thought and spoken across two thousand years. Most students choose a specialisation, such as biblical studies, church history, pastoral theology or theology and society, and build the degree around it.

How the degree is structured

Australian master's degrees by coursework usually run over three or four semesters, and this one is no exception. You take units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, and you need to accumulate the total the college requires to graduate. A typical semester means two or three units, with lectures, tutorials, seminars and a good deal of reading. Some units are assessed by essays, some by exams, and some by a mix of both. If you are heading towards doctoral study or want to research a question in depth, you can usually take a research pathway that includes a supervised thesis instead of more coursework units. The college will tell you which pathway you are on when you enrol, because the credit points and the assessment differ.

What you actually learn

By the end you can read a biblical passage closely, place it in its ancient context, and explain what it might mean for a congregation or a secular workplace. You can trace how a doctrine developed, argue a theological position with evidence, and write at a standard that would satisfy a journal editor. You also learn to listen: to people whose views differ from yours, to the questions a community is actually asking, and to the tradition you are interpreting. Classmates come from parishes, schools, hospitals, chaplaincy and ordinary jobs, and the discussion is part of the education.

Who it suits

This degree suits three groups. First, graduates in theology or ministry who want to go deeper before ordination, further study or teaching. Second, professionals in education, health, counselling or community work who want a formal grounding in theology for the roles they already hold. Third, people who simply want to understand their faith at a postgraduate level. If you have a bachelor's degree in another field, you can often enter with a qualifying semester or two, which the college will map out for you. International students should check the English requirement: IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common coursework-postgraduate standard, though some fields ask for higher. Confirm the exact entry requirements, tuition and unit list on the official page before you apply.

Graduates work across churches, schools, hospitals and community organisations. Typical roles include:

• Minister or pastor in a local congregation
• Chaplain in a hospital, aged care facility, prison or university
• Religious education teacher or coordinator in a faith-based school
• Lecturer or tutor in theology or religious studies
• Ethics officer or mission coordinator for a church agency
• Writer, editor or researcher for a religious publisher or think tank
• Pastoral carer in a health or community service
• Further study towards a doctorate

In Australia, theology graduates are hired by churches and dioceses, independent and Catholic school systems, public and private hospitals, aged care providers, defence and emergency services chaplaincy, and non-profit organisations. Some roles require ordination or accreditation by a church body; others do not. If you are an international student, the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream may let you stay and work after you finish, and while you study your visa normally allows 48 hours per fortnight during term. Check current conditions with the Department of Home Affairs.