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Admission to CIS, a Member Institution of the SCD
Students are accepted for enrolment on the basis of HSC (or its equivalent). The University Admittance Index is normally aligned to that of the Australian Catholic University. Adult entry students (over 21 years of age) and special entry students may be accepted for provisional enrolment. Special Entry is for those who, under the guidance of a supervisor, can show that they are capable of pursuing studies at a tertiary level. New students are required to seek an interview with the Academic Registrar before submitting their application for admission to CIS as award or non-award students. This status is confirmed after the student has been admitted.
Knowledge
- Applications for admission are to include all the required documentation
- Applicants should also arrange an interview with the Academic Registrar before submitting their application for admission to the Institute.
- CIS reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant; in certain cases, especially in the case of overseas students, it may require further details from applicants regarding their suitability to undertake studies at CIS.
- Applicants for whom English is not their first language must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. A grade of 6.5 in the IELTS test, or its equivalent, is required of all non-English speaking students enrolling in an undergraudate degree, though provisional entry is allowable on conditions stipulated in 1.3. A higher grade is required for the MTh programmme.
CIS reserves the right to refuse admission to any student who has failed a course twice at another Member Institute of the SCD. Students applying for admission to the Institute enrol as award, non-award or audit students. Enrolment commences in the thirteenth week of the previous semester, and is completed with payment of fees by the date set down in the academic calendar. A late fee will apply if appropriate.
Categories of Students
Award Students are enrolled in one of the SCD awards listed.
They must complete all requirements of their approved programme of studies (e.g. registration, attendance, assessment).
They receive an official transcript of studies, and on completion of all requirements of their approved programme, graduate with the appropriate award.
If English is a second language, a student can be admitted into the BTh when they have an average IELTS result of 6.5 or greater and with no score less than 6.0 in all bands of the test The IELTS score of 7.0 is required for postgraduate awards.
If English is a second language, a student can be admitted provisionally in the BTh when that have an IELTS result of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in all bands of the test. They must pass all subjects in th e first two semesters to be permitted to continue. If they meet this requirement the provisional status is removed; however, if they do not meet this requirement their admission is cancelled.
Non-award Students are not enrolled in any of the awards listed. They complete all assessment work at appropriate level and are given a grade at the end of the course unit.
They have their results recorded, and may apply to receive a transcript of their studies.
If English is a second language, have an IELTS score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in all bands of the test.
Audit Students may, only with the permission of the relevant teacher, register in course units designed for award students, on the understanding that such courses are presented at award level.
They may attend such course units by auditing only.
They may complete tasks prescribed for award students, without the privilege of assessment.
They may request a statement of registration in such course units.
If English is a second language, have an IELTS score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in all bands of the test.
Seminarians-not-for-credit are those seminarians whose Dean of Studies has designated to the Academic Secretary. Whilst they attend and participate in classes:
- They shall undergo a separate form of assessment appropriate to their needs, and shall not have their course units credited;
- For the purposes of the Sydney College of Divinity, the student will be enrolled as an Audit Student;
- If English is a second language, have an IELTS score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in all bands of the test.
Registration
Students are responsible for the completion of their registration in each course unit, once they have enrolled in an award programme. Registrations into semester course units take place semester by semester.
These registrations will be contingent on the determinations of the Assessment Review Committee.
The manner of registering is as follows:
The student presents at Registry, without appointment, during any one of the allocated times during the days advertised.
Upon arrival the student obtains a copy of their transcript from the Registry. The student is then directed to a student advisor who is a member of staff who has nominated to be of assistance to the process.
The student advisor then lodges the completed Registration Form at the Registry. The Dean of Studies at Good Shepherd Seminary is the designated student advisor for the students concerned. He/she shall be given Registration Forms in the week 11 of the semester and return them during Week 13.
The Rector of Redemptoris Mater Seminary is the designated student advisor for the students concerned and will act in similar manner.
- For newly enrolled students:
Registrations into course units for the next semester after enrolment take place at the time of enrolment.
A student may not, without written approval of the CIS Academic Board register in course units totalling more than 90 credit points per year.
REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES
SCD Procedures for Selection of Students
For undergraduate courses, normal entry is determined on the basis of academic merit - a completed Higher School Certificate (HSC) or equivalent and the University Admission Index (UAI), Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER), Overall Position (OP), Grade Point Average (GPA) as well as an appropriate IELTS score for overseas students.
For post graduate courses, normal entry is determined on the basis of completed accredited undergraduate and/or postgraduate study and GPA depending on the course being considered as well as an appropriate IELTS score for overseas students.
The entry details for each of the SCD courses are as follows:
Diploma of Christian Studies
• Satisfactory completion of Year 12 in the Australian school system, or its equivalent, with English Proficiency; or
• Mature Age admission for those who have reached the age of 21, with English Proficiency, or
• Special Entry admission, with English Proficiency
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 6.0 or greater and with no score less than 5.5 in each band of the test and may only enroll in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Associate Degree in Christian Thought and Practice
• Satisfactory completion of Year 12 in the Australian school system, or its equivalent, with English Proficiency; or
• Mature Age admission for those who have reached the age of 21, with English Proficiency, or
• Special Entry admission, with English Proficiency
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 6.0 or greater and with no score less than 5.5 in each band of the test and may only enroll in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Bachelor of Theology
• Satisfactory completion of Year 12 in the Australian school system with a Student Admission Index (UAI) of 70 or above, or its equivalent (eg, OP = or <13) , with English Proficiency; or
• Mature Age admission for those who have reached the age of 21, with English Proficiency, or
• Special Entry admission, with English Proficiency
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 6.5 or greater and with no score less than 6.0 in each band of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Bachelor of Theology (Honours)
• Satisfactory completion of the Sydney College of Divinity BTh or joint BTh degree within the last five years and with a grade point average of 2.7 in the coursework and 3.0 in the area of specialisation, with English Proficiency; or
• hold for equivalent qualifications from a university or other tertiary institution, with English Proficiency
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Graduate Certificate in Arts
• Satisfactory completion of a three-year bachelor award or equivalent in any discipline, with English Proficiency.
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Graduate Diploma of Arts
• Satisfactory completion of a three-year bachelor award or equivalent in any discipline, with English Proficiency.
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Master of Arts
• Satisfactory completion of a three-year bachelor award or equivalent in any discipline, with English Proficiency; or
• Satisfactory completion of a Vocational Graduate Certificate (provisional admission) or Vocational Graduate Diploma, with English Proficiency; or
• Professional entry admission with English proficiency.
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Master of Theology
• Satisfactory completion of a Bachelor of Theology or equivalent, with English Proficiency.
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
Master of Arts (Honours)
• Satisfactory completion of a four year Bachelor (Honours) or equivalent with results at Class II or better, with English Proficiency; or
• Satisfactory completion of an SCD Master of Arts with a grade point average of 2.8 or better and including the Research Essay at distinction level, with English Proficiency; or
• Qualifications from another university or tertiary institution deemed by the College to be equivalent to those above, with English Proficiency;
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
• The SCD may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in his or her proposed field of research.
Master of Theology (Honours)
• Satisfactory completion of an SCD Bachelor of Theology (Honours) with results at Class II or better and have achieved a credit level of attainment in an appropriate area of study or areas of study considered by the Research Degree Committee to be acceptable for the purpose of proceeding to a Master of Theology (Honours), with English Proficiency; or
• Satisfactory completion of an SCD Master of Theology with a grade point average of 2.8 or better and including the Research Essay at distinction level, with English Proficiency; or
• Qualifications from another university or tertiary institution deemed by the College to be equivalent to those in above, with English Proficiency;
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
• The SCD may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in his or her proposed field of research.
Doctor of Ministry
• Satisfactory completion of a four year BTh(Hons) or BTh & MTh, or MDiv; or a combination of awards deemed to be equivalent to the above, with a grade point average of 2.8, with English Proficiency; or
• shall hold from a university or tertiary institution, qualifications approved by the Research Committee as equivalent to the requirements set out in above, with English Proficiency; and
• shall have demonstrated potential for research; and
• shall have at least four years full-time, or equivalent part-time, certified experience of ministry.
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
• The SCD may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in his or her proposed field of research.
Doctor of Philosophy
• Satisfactory completion of a four-year Bachelor (Honours), or equivalent, with results at Class II (Division I) or better, with English Proficiency ; or
• Satisfactory completion of an SCD MA (Honours) , with English Proficiency; or
• Qualifications from another university or tertiary institution deemed by the College to be equivalent to those in above, with English Proficiency;
• In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theological study in which they wish to pursue doctoral work.
• Notwithstanding the provisions above, the College may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the College;
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
• The SCD may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in his or her proposed field of research.
Doctor of Theology
• Satisfactory completion of a four-year BTh(Hons) or equivalent with results at Class II (Division I) or better, with English Proficiency; or
• Satisfactory completion of an SCD MTh (Honours), with English Proficiency ; or
• Qualifications from another university or tertiary institution deemed by the College to be equivalent to those in above, with English Proficiency;
• In exceptional cases, candidates may be admitted on the grounds of academic and professional attainments, including publications, in the branch of theology in which they wish to pursue doctoral work.
• Notwithstanding the provisions above, the Sydney College of Divinity may require suitability for candidature to be by such examination or other work as determined by the Sydney College of Divinity;
• In addition, Overseas students must be at least 18 years of age, must have an IELTS (or equivalent) of 7.0 or greater in all bands of the test and may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning.
• The SCD may decline to accept a candidate if it cannot offer supervision in his or her proposed field of research.
English Proficiency
This policy applies to all students, except those entering Australia to study on a student visa. These students are Overseas Students and requirements are listed below.
If students have undertaken their previous studies in an overseas country, they may have to provide proof of proficiency in English to gain entry into a Sydney College of Divinity award.
Students must provide proof of proficiency in English if they have undertaken all their qualifications in a language other than English.
Students do not have to provide proof of proficiency in English if they have at least one qualification completed in English, or have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time university study in English.
Those students who have not completed previous studies in English may demonstrate proficiency in English by completing an IELTS test (or equivalent). The test results required for admission are as follows:
Diploma of Christian Studies
6.5 or greater overall, with no score less than 6.0 in each band of the test.
Provisional admission may be granted for an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in each band. All course units must be passed in the first 2 semesters of enrolment for the provisional status to be removed. If this requirement is not met the admission is cancelled.
Associate Degree of Christian Thought and Practice
6.5 or greater overall, with no score less than 6.0 in each band of the test.
Provisional admission may be granted for an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in each band. All course units must be passed in the first 2 semesters of enrolment for the provisional status to be removed. If this requirement is not met the admission is cancelled.
Bachelor of Theology
6.5 or greater overall, with no score less than 6.0 in each band of the test.
Provisional admission may be granted for an overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 6.0 in each band. All course units must be passed in the first 2 semesters of enrolment for the provisional status to be removed. If this requirement is not met the admission is cancelled.
BTh (Hons) and all Postgraduate Awards
7.0 or greater in all bands of the test.
Special Entry
A student may be admitted to a course on the basis of Special Entry. Such students might be:
• persons who have not yet reached mature age and who did not do the HSC or failed to meet the UAI level. For example, a person under 21 years of age who did not do the HSC but has completed a trade certificate or equivalent;
• persons who have been educationally disadvantaged due to:
i. socio-economic reasons such as low-family income or poor living conditions;
ii. language difficulties;
iii. learning difficulties;
iv. disrupted schooling;
v. physical disability;
vi. serious family illness;
vii. excessive family responsibility;
viii. geographical isolation of home and/or school and lack of support, time or facilities for study at home or school.
• persons of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who have not followed the normal HSC entry path;
• persons who were home schooled and show evidence of being able to manage tertiary study;
• students awaiting an IELTS result;
• persons who have completed a prescribed program of non-award study (4 units) and passed all units.
All Special Entry admissions are provisional.
Admission Procedures for Provisional Entry
Admission to any SCD undergraduate course on the basis of Mature Age or Special Entry or the entry into the Master of Arts by way of a Vocational Graduate Certificate is a provisional admission, and requires special procedures:
• Students with provisional status shall be required to complete a ‘Qualifying Period', whilst being permitted to enrol provisionally for the award.
• The ‘Qualifying Period' may be undertaken full or part-time and the number of years spent in completing it shall be counted towards the maximum term for completion of the award.
• The ‘Qualifying Period' shall consist of the successful completion of a 1/3 of the units that make up the award.
• The maximum time allowed for the completion of the ‘Qualifying Period' shall be three years.
Upon the successful completion of 1/3 of the units that make up the award, the provisional status of enrolment will be lifted.
Overseas Students
(Students who are entering Australia to study on a student visa. This does not include students who are residing outside of Australia during their course of study)
The SCD welcomes overseas students but admission to the SCD is governed by the requirements of the Australian Government, the SCD requirements (as set out above) and a Member Institution's own regulations.
Once the overseas student makes application, the student's academic qualifications are matched against the entry criteria to confirm their potential admission. This is done by the Academic Committee within the Member Institution and then approved by the Student Administration Committee of the SCD. Student's previous academic qualifications are evaluated with the help of AEI Country Education Profiles (CEP) online data. The students English language proficiency is determined by an IELTS test (or equivalent).
Overseas students may only enrol in full time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or online learning. All courses available to overseas students have units available by distance and / or on-line learning.
All relevant documents must be submitted with the application, as applications which are inadequately documented cannot be considered.
Courses in the SCD are conducted in English (except the BTh (Korean Medium)) so:
• students are expected to be proficient in English;
• assessment tasks shall be set and examined in that language unless special permission to do otherwise is granted by the Academic Board;
• students who gained their qualifications for admission to any of the SCD's awards up to the level of Master (coursework) in a language other than English, must accompany their application for admission with an IELTS (or equivalent) result normally of 6.0 or better for Diploma, 6.5 or better for Bachelor and 7.0 or better for coursework postgraduate courses - see the table presented in the English Proficiency1 section for a more detailed explanation of the IELTS requirements including provisional admission;
• students who gained their qualifications for admission to any of the SCD's postgraduate awards from the level of research Master in a language other than English, must accompany their application for admission with an IELTS (or equivalent) result of normally not less than 7.0 in all bands of the test;
• applicants already in Australia who are required to take an English test shall be advised accordingly;
All Member Institutions are required to observe the English language requirements.
The information contained in this policy is to be communicated to the overseas student at the point of initial contact. Hard copy is to be included in the application package sent to the prospective student prior to them making application.
Professional Entry into MA (with a professional specialisation)
Students not possessing an undergraduate degree meeting the normal entry requirements may seek provisional admission into an MA (with a professional specialisation) via Professional Entry. This entry requires the student to possess a minimum of 5 years relevant work experience in a senior leadership role, consistent with the Typical Progression Pathways outlined below.
The student then enrols in a single 400 (entry) level Masters unit and if this unit is completed successfully at a credit level or above may be granted normal entry into the MA (with a professional specialisation) following an interview with the Dean of Graduate Studies or the SCD College Registrar. The unit completed is part of the students MA program.
Students enrolling under this provision may be required to choose appropriate introductory Theology or Bible units as one or two of the first four units of their MA study program.
Students not studying full-time will normally be required to maintain some concurrent, ongoing involvement in a leadership position.
Typical Progression Pathways: Relevant work experience in a senior leadership role will be determined by the Student Administration Committee of the SCD, and (subject to the above requirements) will include:
• Full-time church or para-church ministry in senior leadership position.
• Senior leadership experience in non-government, not-for-profit, community-based and related organisations which act to further the social and/or cultural outworkings of the gospel.
• Christian business people who are fulfilling positions of responsibility including team and industry leadership.
• Other relevant senior leadership experience consistent with, and deemed by SAC to be equivalent to, the above.
All applications should be supported by testimonials from the applicant's professional peers, demonstrating recognition of the applicant's senior leadership capacities and responsibilities.
Course Quotas
Any Member Institution may impose a quota in a unit that it teaches on its own campus towards a SCD course, or in a course that is taught exclusively on that campus. Such a need, when it arises, would be due to restricted resources: e.g. classroom space, staff workload, avenues for field placement, etc. In such cases selection into the unit or course at a particular Member Institution would be determined on the basis of academic merit. However, students who do not gain entry to a particular Member Institution, would be advised by the Registrar of similar units of study or courses that were available at other SCD Member Institutions where quotas did not apply.
Restrictions on Admission
There are no quotas placed on entry into Postgraduate Research Degree candidature. However, students are only permitted to enroll formally once a thesis topic has been approved and appropriate Supervisors have been found.
The SCD is firmly committed to a strong research culture for both its staff and for its students. Currently there are 6 research awards - BTh(Hons), MA(Hons), MTh(Hons), DMin, PhD and ThD.
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