Admissions – Institution information set

1. About the Australian College of Theology

The Australian College of Theology (ACT) exists as a partnership between the Anglican Church of Australia and a confessionally diverse, national network of Bible and theological colleges delivering the awards of the College on its behalf. The ACT offers specialist qualifications in ministry, theology, and Christian studies, ranging from undergraduate diplomas through to doctoral degrees. ACT’s courses are delivered through the a network of independent affiliated colleges.

Colleges affiliated with the Australian College of Theology are represented at all levels of ACT governance. Affiliated colleges are in a consortium which exists to strengthen all members. The affiliation relationship between a college and the ACT is expressed in the Institutional Approval Criteria and an Affiliation Agreement signed by each affiliated college and the Board of Directors, the governing body of the ACT.

Prospective students can view information about the courses offered by the ACT, and the colleges approved to deliver those courses.

2. Student Profile

The table below provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study in the most recent full year of intake, including students admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.

3. Admission requirements

A: Australian secondary studies

Recent Australian Year 12 students (within the past two years)

Students entering the following courses require the completion of Year 12, with an ATAR of 65.0.
Undergraduate Certificate of Ministry, Undergraduate Certificate of Theology, Diploma of Christian Studies. Diploma of Ministry, Diploma of Theology, Diploma of Ministry / Diploma of Theology, Advanced Diploma of Ministry, Advanced Diploma of Theology, Associate Degree of Ministry, Associate Degree of Theology, Bachelor of Christian Studies, Bachelor of Ministry, Bachelor of Theology, Bachelor of Ministry / Bachelor of Theology.

ATAR-related adjustments

ACT does not have any adjustments to ATAR-based admissions (e.g. ‘bonus points’).

Requirements that may apply in addition to ATAR

ACT does not impose any denominational or religious restrictions in relation to enrolment in any ACT Course. However, the affiliated colleges of the ACT are free to impose any denominational or religious restrictions in relation to enrolment in an ACT course. Affiliated colleges are also free to require enrolling students to:

1. give an account of their Christian commitment;
2. express their willingness to conduct themselves in accordance with the affiliated college’s Christian ethos and requirements;
3. affirm the affiliated college’s statement of faith; and/or
4. show evidence of prior experience in Christian leadership

Language Requirements

The ACT seeks to ensure that all students enrolled in an ACT course undertaken in English have the English language proficiency required in order to likely be successful in their course of study. Prior to admission into any course delivered in English, applicants are required to prove their level of English language capacity in order to be admitted to their chosen course. This can be done in one of the following ways.

• The applicant holds an Assessable Qualification completed in one of the Approved Countries, completed within the last ten (10) years; OR
• The applicant has been resident in Australia for ten (10) or more years, with English being the language primarily spoken both at home and work; OR
• The applicant provides proof of English Language Proficiency:
  • For undergraduate courses, the IELTS requirement is an overall score of at least 6.5, with no subtest score below 6.0.
  • For postgraduate coursework courses, the IELTS requirement is an overall score of at least 7.0, with reading and writing subtests of at least 7.0, and with listening and speaking subtests of at least 6.5.
  • For postgraduate research degrees, the IELTS requirement is an overall score of at least 7.5, with reading and writing subtests of at least 7.5, with listening subtest of at least 7.0, and with speaking subtest of at least 6.5.

Other admission options

Applicants who do not have an ATAR or do not meet the normal entry criteria for undergraduate courses are invited to make an application for admission to a course based on other grounds. Admission may be granted by the Registrar of the Australian College of Theology, subject to a decision about likelihood of successful completion of the course.

Previous Australian Year 12 studies

Applicants who completed year 12 some time ago, but have no tertiary study experience, will be subject to the same ATAR requirements as recent school leavers.

Interstate Year 12

Applicants from Queensland will be assessed by their OP score, matched to the appropriate ATAR score for entry to undergraduate courses. Applicants from all other Australian states and territories will be assessed by their ATAR.

B: Applicants with previous higher education study

Applicants with a completed qualification from an Australian higher education provider are eligible for entry to undergraduate courses, regardless of secondary school completion or performance. Applicants with a complete or incomplete higher education qualification in Religious Studies are welcome to apply for advanced standing, in accordance with ACT’s Prior Learning Policy and Credit Transfer Rules. Up to one third of an ACT course can be completed via credit transfer or RPL. The study on which credit transfer is based must have been taken recently (no more than ten years ago). Applicants can approach the ACT directly or their chosen affiliated college Registrar to discuss possible credit transfer from previous studies when applying to study an ACT course.

Completed bridging or enabling course

Generally, a bridging or enabling course for which prior approval has be given, will grant a student entry to a course, but with no advanced standing.

C: Applicants with previous vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants with a complete or incomplete VET qualification in Religious Studies are welcome to apply for advanced standing, in accordance with ACT’s Prior Learning Policy and Credit Transfer Rules. Up to one third of an ACT course can be completed via credit transfer or RPL. Within that limit, ACT grants credit for VET studies into its undergraduate higher education courses at the rate of 48 credit points (0.5 years full time) for every year of full time study or equivalent at VET level. The study on which credit transfer is based must have been taken recently (no more than ten years ago). Applicants can approach the ACT directly or their chosen affiliated college Registrar to discuss possible credit transfer from previous studies when applying to study an ACT course.

D: Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications

Students with overseas qualifications will be assessed according to the same Prior Learning Policy and Credit Transfer Rules. Up to one third of an ACT course can be completed via credit transfer or RPL for overseas courses deemed at least equivalent in level and content to the course an applicant is seeking to enter.

E: Applicants with work and life experience

Students with overseas qualifications will be assessed according to the same Prior Learning Policy. Up to one third of an ACT course can be completed via RPL for previous work and life experience.

4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

There are no specific admission provisions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

5. Bridging and enabling courses

Generally, a bridging or enabling course for which prior approval has be given, will grant a student entry to a course, but with no advanced standing.

6. How to apply

Applications can be made to an ACT course by contacting a college affiliated with the Australian College of Theology which is approved to deliver the chosen course.

Each college has its own enrolment deadlines, and applicants are advised to contact the preferred affiliated college to find out enrolment deadlines and any additional information required.

Admittance to a course of the ACT is ultimately determined by the Australian College of Theology. Colleges affiliated with the ACT are permitted to advise students on eligibility criteria. If an applicant meets ACT’s course entry requirements, affiliated colleges can provisionally accept candidates in coursework awards subject to ACT enrolment confirmation.

7. Enrolment

Registrars and Course Advisors of the applicant’s chosen Affiliated College will be a student’s primary contact for course advice and unit selection throughout a course. Students are advised to consult their course regulations on the ACT website to ensure that the units they are enrolling in will contribute to their course. Enrolment in units is completed through affiliated colleges rather than directly with the ACT office. Upon enrolment in a unit, the student will be notified by the affiliated college. In addition, once the unit’s Census Date has passed (the date that tuition fees for a unit are incurred), the ACT will issue a formal Confirmation of Enrolment to each student. Students who have deferred the payment of their tuition fees to a FEE-HELP loan will be issued a Commonwealth Assistance Notice by the ACT.

Any student who has successfully applied for credit transfer or RPL will be notified in writing by the student’s home college. In addition, the credit transfer / RPL units will be available to view by the student on the student management system.

8. Appeals and grievances

Appeals and Grievances within the Australian College of Theology are resolved by following the steps outlined in the Grievance Resolution Policy for Students. Section 1.2 covers appeals and grievances relating to student enrolment or course admission decisions.

9. Where to get further information

Further information about the above information can be found at:

• Our courses
• Our colleges
• Overseas students
• TEQSA national register
• QILT website