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The University of Notre Dame Australia

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Bachelor of Divinity

  • Bachelor

The Bachelor of Divinity is taught by the Catholic Institute of Sydney and accredited by the University of Notre Dame Australia. The Program provides students with a grounding in philosophy, Sacred Scripture, Catholic theology and associated disciplines.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time
Course Code
3574
Study Mode
Online

About this course

School of Philosophy & Theology

The Bachelor of Divinity is taught by the Catholic Institute of Sydney and accredited by the University of Notre Dame Australia. The Program provides students with a grounding in philosophy, Sacred Scripture, Catholic theology and associated disciplines. You will graduate with broad knowledge and skills in at least one theological discipline, excellent oral and written communication skills, and research skills.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

OR

  • International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

* Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Entry requirements NSW

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly - your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

  • Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

  • Successful completion of 4 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

  • Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

  • Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Study locations

Sydney

Online

What you will learn

The Bachelor of Divinity offers students a unique opportunity to study at an Ecclesiastical Faculty recognised by the Holy See. This foundational degree is designed to introduce students to the breadth and beauty of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition by providing them with a grounding in philosophy, Sacred Scripture, Catholic theology and associated disciplines.

Through critical engagement with the tradition that is at once both appreciative of its intellectual patrimony and sensitive to contemporary issues, students in the Bachelor of Divinity will gain the knowledge and skills to effectively communicate their beliefs to a variety of audiences.

The Bachelor of Divinity represents an ideal qualification for those seeking to engage in ministry and leadership within the Church, as well as a pathway to further study which would build upon this foundation.

Career pathways

A Bachelor of Divinity can lead to careers in teaching (with additional training), chaplaincy (hospitals, prisons, schools, defence), public service, non-government organisations, writing, communications, advertising, education support, pastoral work, or Church agencies.

Course structure

The Bachelor of Divinity, as a comprehensive foundational qualification, introduces students to both the breadth and depth of the Catholic Intellectual Tradition. The degree is structured so that students select courses across the various theological disciplines.

Students in the Bachelor of Divinity will normally pursue studies in the Humanities (Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Church History and Patrology) before engaging the disciplines of Sacred Scripture (Old Testament and New Testament) and Theology (Spiritual, Fundamental, Dogmatic and Moral), which the Humanities naturally serve to support and contextualise. Students are also required to undertake courses in Pastoral Studies, allowing candidates to pursue electives in Pastoral Theology and Ministry, Liturgical Studies, and Canon Law as they approach the end of the degree.

To fulfil the requirements of this award, students must complete 600 units of credit comprised of:

  • At least 50 units of credit in Philosophy
  • At least 100 units of credit in Sacred Scripture (including 25 units of credit in each of Old and New Testament Studies)
  • At least 100 units of credit in Dogmatic Theology
  • An additional 50 units of credit in either Sacred Scripture or Dogmatic Theology
  • At least 25 units of credit in Moral Theology
  • At least 50 units of credit in Pastoral Studies and Practice
  • At least 25 credits in Church History and Patrology, and
  • 200 units of credit in electives

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements. For further information about this degree, please consult the Academic Dean of the Catholic Institute of Sydney

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Humanities, Culture & Social Sciences courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
87.9%
Overall satisfaction
90.9%
Skill scale
85.5%
Teaching scale
65.3%
Employed full-time
$62.6k
Average salary