APPLICATION PROCEDURES – ALL PROGRAMMES
Step 1
– Beginning the application process:Complete the relevant application form and return the completed from with the following documents:
Fill out the online application form and submit it together with the following documents:
- A recent passport sized photograph
- 3 certified copies of your birth certificate
- Certified copies of your academic certificates (to be submitted in triplicate)
- A substantive letter of recommendation from your church/denomination or , where relevant, your training committee (to be sent directly to TCZ)
- A substantive letter of recommendation from your pastor/minister outlining your ministry involvement in church (to be sent directly to TCZ)
- Filled in Character Assessment Form
- A letter from your financial sponsor, confirming the extent to their financial support for you
- A copy of your curriculum vitae
- A statement (at least 150 words) explaining your conversion to Christianity
- A statement (at least 50 words) explaining why you want to study at TCZ
- Non- refundable application fee
- Application fee (Please note: this application can only be processed upon receipt of the stated application fee)
- 3 certified copies of your marriage certificate to be submitted in triplicate (where there has been a change of name)
- 3 certified copies of your ID.
- Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ)
- P.O. Box AC 587 Ascot
- Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Email: info@tczonline.org OR bheaton@tczonline.com
NB: DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Applications for study may be submitted at any time during the year, but the deadline for the Women’s Ministry Certificate, the Dip.Th., the B.A. Hons. Theo. and the B.A. Sp. Hons. Theo. at TCZ for the January intake is October 15th, with interviews in November. Applications for the Adv. Dip. Th. must be submitted to EBI by October 15th (interviews in November/December) and Rusitu by June 15th (interviews in July/August).
Application for accommodation should be made at the same time as application for enrollment, as several questions on the Application Form are related to accommodation. Because housing space on campus is currently limited, accommodation is granted on a set priority basis, and availability is not guaranteed.
Contact the respective Colleges for the current non-refundable application fee. A penalty fee will be levied for late applications. Applications will be processed as soon as possible after all papers are received.
Step 2
– Request for on-campus accommodation. Application for accommodation should be made at the same time as application for enrollment, as several questions on the Application Form are related to accommodations. Because housing space on all three campuses currently is limited, accommodation is granted on a set priority basis, and availability is not guaranteed.Step 3
– Schedule the interview. All applicants, regardless of their programme, are required to attend an assessment session/interview with two faculty or staff members. The date of the interview is determined by the intake date at the respective College. B.A. Hons. applicants at TCZ should be accompanied by their pastor or a church representative who will meet with the College authorities on the same day as the interviews. The applicant’s interview should take about an hour; the latter meeting should take about 30-45 minutes. (Applicants to TCZ from outside Bulawayo may be interviewed by a College representative closer to their home if requested. It is strongly recommended that someone from the church in Bulawayo where the applicant intends to fellowship should attend the meeting.) The actual time of the interview and meeting will depend on the interview schedule for that day, although both should take place in the morning.Step 4
– Requests for credit for studies at other institutions. Where applicable, graduates with a recognised Diploma in Theology or a related field and two passes at A-level, may be granted credit toward the B.A. Hons. at the discretion of the Academic Affairs Committee. Applicants who feel they may qualify for credit are required to indicate in writing as part of their initial application to TCZ their wish to be considered for such credit. This will be considered at the time of the interview and applicants will be asked to submit in advance all supporting documentation (i.e. copies of certificates and transcripts), together with relevant course outlines/syllabi and samples of their course work. This will allow the College to make a timely decision about the student’s programme of study. For more information about transferring credits from another institution, see p. 14 “Transfer of Credits”, or contact the relevant Academic Dean.Step 5
– Letters of Support. As noted on p. 12-14, the applicant’s denomination or church shall confirm in writing the extent to which the denomination or church is prepared to support the candidate financially, in prayer, and with regular ministry opportunities while at College. The applicant must indicate on the application form the name and contact details of his or her sponsor and their spiritual overseer. It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide this information and ensure that it is sent to the respective College in time for the application to be processed.
All recommendation letters must be substantive and should include comments on the applicant’s (1) call to service, (2) gifting, (3) character, and (4) ministry involvement.
Note: The application cannot be processed without this information
Step 6
– Confirmation of enrolment. Prospective students will be advised regarding their application as soon as possible after the interview. At this time, additional information relating to the particular College will be sent to those accepted for admission, including, for those attending TCZ, the “TCZ Lifestyle Covenant”. Those applying for accommodation will also receive confirmation of those arrangements. Note: The applicant’s acceptance of the offer to study must be confirmed in writing or by e-mail. Failure to confirm acceptance will incur a penalty and may result in loss of accommodations and/or other consequences.Step 7
– Payment of fees. Accepted students must ensure that all fees (tuition, and on-campus accommodation where applicable) for each term or semester are paid in full on or before the first day of orientation, or by 5:00 p.m. on the working day before lectures begin. Students will not be permitted to enter accommodation, start classes, or use the Library or Computer Lab. until these fees are paid.
CHECK-LIST OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
- Use the following list to make sure you have submitted the required documents. Tick each item as you prepare to enclose it with this application. NOTE: Failure to submit any of the following will mean your application cannot be considered. Keep in mind the relevant application deadline. (For B.A. Special Honours applicants: note two additional items listed on the Special Honours Application Form.)
- A recent photograph
- A photocopy of your birth certificate
- For Women’s Min. Cert., Dip.Th., B.A. Hons. and A. Sp. Hons. applicants: A substantive letter of recommendation from your church/denomination or, where relevant, your training committee. (This should be sent directly to the College.)
- For Women’s Min. Cert., Dip.Th., B.A. Hons. and A. Sp. Hons. applicants: A substantive letter of recommendation from your pastor/minister indicating your church involvement. (This should be sent directly to the College.)
- In all cases: The completed Character Assessment Form, (to be sent directly to the College)
- A letter from your financial sponsor, confirming the extent of their financial support for you
- For Women’s Min. Cert., Dip.Th., B.A. Hons. and A. Sp. Hons. applicants: A statement (at least 200 words) explaining your conversion to Christianity and a statement (at least 100 words) explaining why you want to study at TCZ
- A copy of your curriculum vitae
- Certified copies of your academic certificates and transcripts
- The non-refundable application fee (details available on request)
- NOTE: If you are seeking credit for courses done at another institution (see p. 14), also enclose copies of relevant course outlines, syllabi, samples of work done, etc.
