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University of Otago
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Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) Endorsed in Biblical Studies

This course is available

On-Campus, Online

Level of Study

Bachelor's Degree

Duration

3 years

Next start date

Expected Feb 2025

Campus

University of Otago

Summary

The Bachelor of Theology (BTheol) requires three years of full-time study. The degree can also be completed via Distance Learning. Students are required to take papers in various Theology subjects areas and are also able to include up to five papers from outside Theology in their degree programme.

The degree does not have provision for major or minor subjects, but may be endorsed in Biblical Studies.

Students are taught by research-active scholars, are expected to undertake a variety of learning experiences and are challenged to develop their intellectual independence. Graduates of the programme are well-informed about the key themes of and approaches to the different areas of study which are encompassed by the subject areas of Theology and have the ability to integrate learning across the range of subject areas of Theology.

An endorsed BTheol degree is an possible qualification for the BTheol(Hons) or PGDipTheol programme in the subject of endorsement.

Papers

Every BTheol programme must include the following core papers:

  • BIBS 112 Interpreting the Old Testament
  • BIBS 121 Interpreting the New Testament
  • CHTH 102 The History of Christianity
  • CHTH 111 Doing Theology
  • CHTH 131 God and Ethics in the Modern World
  • At least one of RELS 101 or RELS 102
  • CHTH 218 or CHTH 318
  • PAST 215 or PAST 315
  • At least one of BIBS 211 or BIBS 311, or BIBS 218 or BIBS 318
  • At least one of BIBS 221 or BIBS 321, or BIBS 226 or BIBS 326
  • At least one of CHTH 206 or CHTH 306, or CHTH 233 or CHTH 333

A programme may be endorsed in Biblical Studies if it includes a total of eight BIBS papers, including three at 300-level.

The BTheol may be completed without endorsement

Bachelor of Theology with Honours also available

The aim of the BTheol(Hons) degree is to help students become highly skilled, versatile, independent thinkers with the research experience, information literacy and communication skills necessary for an advanced professional career in Theology or further academic study at the Masters or PhD level.

Entry criteria

We recognise many other qualifications as equivalent to the New Zealand qualification for entrance.

We also accept the following international qualifications:

  • International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma with a minimum of 24 points.
  • Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) GCE Advanced Levels: minimum Numerical Score of 8

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) - Overall score of 6.0, no individual band below 5.5.
  • TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 80 and a writing score of 20.
  • C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) or C2 Proficiency (previously Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 169 (with no individual band below 162)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 50 with no communicative skills score below 42.
  • LanguageCert - International ESOL: C1 Expert (LRWS) with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill
  • NZCEL - NZCEL 4 Academic endorsement
  • English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 2 (with no skill lower than Level 1)
  • APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 3 or higher

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