General Requirements
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theology (B.A. Hons. Theo.)
Applications for the January intake should be submitted by November 15th . Acceptance interviews will follow in early December. Applicants will be informed of the date. The interviews are normally conducted in-person and take about one hour, but applicants may have to wait, depending on the interview schedule. Alternatively, applicants from outside Bulawayo may be interviewed on-line using WhatsApp. Applicants will be notified by mid-December or early January if they have been accepted or not. To register, the applicant should indicate their intention to attend no later than January 15th . A penalty fee will be charged for late registration.
Government employees are encouraged to register early so that their applications for study leave can be processed in good time; interviews can be arranged earlier if need be.
The B.A. Hons programme may also be taken on a part-time basis (i.e. three courses or less each semester).
Part-time students may take any individual courses of their choice. However, credit will not be granted for these unless the necessary spiritual and academic entrance requirements are met. Students wishing to obtain the full qualification on a part-time basis must still meet the requisite entrance requirements, apply, and be interviewed in the usual way. Such students are also strongly encouraged to take the courses in the sequence offered to avoid difficulties with pre-requisite courses.
Academic Admission Requirements:
Duration of programme:
The minimum duration for the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Theology is eight semesters (four years).
Entry requirements:
For admission the degree programme, applicants must have:
- A minimum of 5 ‘O’ level passes (‘C’ grade or better) or the equivalent, including English language, Or
- Gained advanced standing though the Accreditation of Prior Learning route, and
- Two ‘A’ level passes , Or
- Through the Mature Entry route, be 23 years old for women or 25 years for men
- Other relevant certificates, a teaching certificate or a diploma will be an added advantage.
Exemption:
- A student may, in approved cases, be exempted from certain courses provided that the student shall have successfully completed approved degree courses elsewhere and that the student shall be required to complete at least three quarters (75%) of the programme course through the Theological College of Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe Open University.
- Be exempted in accordance with the General Regulations, or have an equivalent University entry qualification.
- The student must fulfill the conditions below to qualify for exemption:
- The syllabus of the institution from which the student completed the course must be equivalent in content to at least 80% of the course being applied for exemption.
- The student in the given subject/course must have obtained a pass of 60%, 2.2 or C+, whoever is applicable.
To ascertain the student’s competence in the course, the college may grant exemption by requesting that the student take an exemption examination course.
Normal Entry: Five General Certificate of Education (GCE) Ordinary Level passes with a ‘C’ symbol or better, including English Language, and two passes at A-level, or the equivalent. Applicants with four points or higher at Alevel will be given preference. A relevant Diploma recognised by ACTEA or by a Zimbabwean university can be considered in lieu of the A-level passes, but no credit for courses done at that level will be granted toward the B.A.
Mature Entry: Five GCE Ordinary Level passes, including English Language, plus 23 years of age for women and 25 years for men. However, continuation of study depends on the faculty’s assessment of the student’s academic performance (normally evidenced, for example, by an average grade of 60% in the first year), their spirituality, and maturity.
Note: The number of mature entry applicants may be limited in any given intake.
Spiritual and Ministry Admission Requirements:
The prospective student is expected to be a committed Christian who has already demonstrated an
assurance of salvation and an active participation in the ministry of the local church. A detailed letter of recommendation outlining the applicant’s spiritual standing and the applicant’s ministry involvement in their church is required. The Character Assessment Form is also required from the applicant’s Pastor/Minister or other suitable church representative.
Note: Applicants will not be considered for study without this letter of recommendation and the Character Assessment Form.
In a second letter, the applicant’s denomination or church shall confirm the extent to which the denomination or church is prepared to support the student financially, in prayer and with regular ministry opportunities while at College. An indication should also be given as to ministry opportunities after graduation. Applicants are strongly encouraged to work in close co-operation with their churches in this process, as the College sees this as a three-way partnership.
Applicants who are considering ministry in the marketplace as an alternative to church ministry should still submit a recommendation letter about their commitment, as well as an indication of support from their church. Applicants not intending to engage in church ministry and who wish to pay the fees themselves should provide evidence of their ability to do so. Applicants should not enroll without confirmed church support, at least some of which should be financial.
NOTE: Applications will not be considered without these two detailed letters and the character assessment. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that these letters and assessment forms are sent to the College by the application deadline of November 15th for the January intake. Government employees are encouraged to register early so that their applications for study leave can be processed in good time and their interviews can be arranged earlier if need be.
Financial Admission Requirements:
In addition to confirmation by the applicant’s church of at least some financial support, all tuition and ancillary fees must be paid prior to the start of lectures in each semester. Students may apply to make monthly payment arrangements. The applicant should confirm any sponsorship in writing. The student is responsible to ensure that payments by the Church and/or sponsors are made in good time. Students will not be allowed to attend classes, use the Library facilities, or to sit for exams until the fees are paid. See also the section on “Policies Regarding the Payment of Fees”,
Bachelor of Arts Special Honours in Theology (B.A. Sp. Hons. Theo.)
Applications for the January intake should be submitted by November 15th . Acceptance interviews will follow in early December. Applicants will be informed of the date. The interviews are normally conducted in-person and take about one hour, but applicants may have to wait, depending on the interview schedule. Alternatively, applicants from outside Bulawayo may be interviewed on-line using WhatsApp. Applicants will be notified by mid-December or early January if they have been accepted or not. To register, the applicant should indicate their intention to attend no later than January 15th . A penalty fee will be charged for late registration.
Government employees are encouraged to register early so that their applications for study leave can be processed in good time; interviews can be arranged earlier if need be.
The B.A. Special Hons programme may also be taken on a part-time basis (i.e. two courses or less each semester). Part-time students may take any individual courses of their choice. However, credit will not be granted for these unless the necessary spiritual and academic entrance requirements are met. Students wishing to obtain the full qualification on a part-time basis must still meet the requisite entrance requirements, apply, and be interviewed in the usual way. Such students are also strongly encouraged to take the courses in the sequence offered to avoid difficulties with pre-requisite courses.
Academic Admission Requirements
Programme duration:
The Special Honours in Theology takes a minimum period of one year (two semesters) and a maximum period of two years (four semesters).
Entry Requirements
For admission to the Special Honours in Theology, applicants must have a recognized Bachelor of Arts Degree or any other relevant degree in which the Theology component is strongly represented.
Exemption Qualifications
- A student may, in approved cases, be exempted from certain courses provided that the student shall have successfully completed approved degree courses elsewhere and that the student shall be required to complete at least three quarters (75%) of the programme courses through the Theological College of Zimbabwe or Zimbabwe Open University
- The student may be exempted in accordance with the General Regulations or have an equivalent university entry qualification
- The student must fulfil the conditions below to qualify for exemption:
- The syllabus of the institution from which the student completed the course must be equivalent in content to at least 80% to the course being offered.
- The student in the given course/subject must have obtained a satisfactory pass of 60%, 2.2 or C+, whichever is applicable.
- To ascertain the student’s competence in the course, the college may grant exemption by requesting that the student take an exemption examination for the course.
Normal Entry: Applicants must possess a recognised and appropriate (i.e. Theology, Biblical Studies, Religious Studies or other related discipline) undergraduate degree with an overall average of 65% or better.
Mature Entry: A recognised Diploma in Theology or related field, plus five years Christian ministry experience, with an age of 23 for women and 25 for men. Note: The number of mature entry applicants may be limited in any given intake.
Spiritual and Ministry Admission Requirements:
The prospective student is expected to be a committed Christian who has already demonstrated an assurance of salvation and an active participation in the ministry of the local church. A detailed letter of recommendation outlining the applicant’s spiritual standing and the applicant’s ministry involvement in their church is required. The Character Assessment Form is required from the applicant’s Pastor/Minister or other suitable church representative.
Note: Applicants will not be considered for study without this letter of recommendation and the Character Assessment Form.
Financial Admission Requirements:
Payment for the B.A. Special Honours can be made each semester, but should be done prior to the start of lectures. Students may apply to make monthly payment arrangements. The student is responsible to ensure that payments by the Church and/or sponsors are made in good time. Students will not be allowed to attend classes, use the Library facilities, or to sit for exams until the fees are paid. See the section on “Policies Regarding the Payment of Fees”, for further details.
DIPLOMA IN THEOLOGY AND RELIGION STUDIES
Duration of Programme
The minimum duration for the Diploma in Theology and Religious Studies is four semesters (two years).
Entry Requirements
For admission to the diploma programme, applicants must either:
- Have a minimum of 5 “O” levels or the equivalent, including English Language
Or
- Gained advanced standing through Accreditation of Prior Learning route,
Or
- Through the Mature Entry route, must be 23 years for women and 25 years for men, with a minimum of three O- level passes at grade C or better, including English Language.