International Student Entry


What You Need to Know


While Nazarene Theological College exists primarily to prepare women and men for such vocational ministries as pastor, teacher, missionary, chaplain, and para-church worker in the Australian and New Zealand contexts of ministry, we welcome qualified students from other countries. We believe the presence of a variety of cultures enriches the life of the College and aids the transformational process in ministerial education. Since the College's inception in 1953 we have equipped students from such overseas countries as Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, South Africa, Taiwan, United Kingdom and the USA. Unlike in many Australian universities and other institutions, tuition and residential fees are identical for local and overseas students.

The College pays particular attention to the information supplied on your application form and the documentation of previously completed studies. The completed application form, the application fee and all the referees' reports MUST be received before the College will proceed with the application. At that point, the College will normally arrange an interview in your homeland. Since this procedure takes considerable time, you are advised to make sure your application arrives in the College at least six months before you intend to begin your studies.

In addition to the entrance requirements for the various courses of study provided by Nazarene Theological College, there are additional entrance requirements imposed on overseas students by both Nazarene Theological College and the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

NOTE: Nazarene Theological College does not use agents for recruitment or administration of Overseas Students.

Requirements of Nazarene Theological College


English Language Proficiency


As Nazarene Theological College exists primarily to prepare women and men for such vocational ministries as pastor, teacher, missionary, chaplain, and para-church worker in the Australian and New Zealand contexts of ministry, and as the proficient use of the English language is essential for ministers in those contexts of ministry, all classes taught currently at Nazarene Theological College are taught in the English language. Additionally, experience has demonstrated the importance of attaining certain minimum levels of English language proficiency to allow effective participation in the classroom as well as social functioning and integration both on our campus and in the Australian community.

Consequently, applicants whose primary language is not English are required to demonstrate their ability to function well in English at the post-secondary level. The following English Language proficiency policies apply for those seeking admission to any of the courses offered by Nazarene Theological College:


Any student who has not graduated from a secondary level or tertiary level educational institution where English is the language of instruction is required to pass any of the following examinations:



Test scores must be current. Consequently any test score must be no more than three months old. Notwithstanding this policy, NTC may require a more recent test if it in its opinion such a course of action is warranted. Scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to Nazarene Theological College for them to be valid. In exceptional circumstances a certified copy of the results may be sent by the applicant.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT


Assessment of student performance in any unit is continuous or progressive and is determined at the end of the semester in which the unit is completed. The grade for that unit is based on the total marks gained. A grade is final when it has been approved by the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity.

Within the Sydney College of Divinity, the development of assessment packages is based on an understanding of demand hours derived from the following principles:


Assessment Moderation


All coursework and final examinations are reviewed by the Academic Dean, who consults with other lecturers with expertise in the subject matter, to ensure that the assessment is fair, uniform and of a standard comparable to that which pertains in other recognised institutions of higher education in Queensland. This process is in addition to the annual syllabi review carried out by the Program Advisory Committee and the Curriculum Committee.

All coursework will normally be returned to the student. Course final examination scripts are not returned to the student.

Recording of Assessment


No raw scores will be recorded on any student assignments or exams. In all cases only the letter grade (HD, D, C, P, N etc) awarded by the lecturer or examiner may be recorded. Where a student has failed marginally (48%), this will be noted on the assignment so that the student may apply for a supplementary assessment.

The grade for that unit is based on the total marks gained. A grade is final when it has been approved by the Academic Board of the Sydney College of Divinity.

Unsatisfactory Academic Performance


A student undertaking a program of study must maintain a satisfactory level of academic performance; failure to do so will result in that student being placed on academic probation and may result in their exclusion from the college for a period of time.

The required minimum rate of progress is the attainment of a number of credit points to count towards any award under these rules other than an honours degree, aggregated as follows:


Deferring, suspending or cancelling the student’s enrolment


The College may, in certain limited circumstances, enable students to defer or temporarily suspend their studies during the course.

Cancellation or suspension of a student’s enrolment may be initiated by the student or the college. The student may seek deferral on the grounds of compassionate or compelling circumstances. The College may suspend or cancel a student’s enrolment due to academic misconduct, which includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, fraud, improper behaviour, misrepresentation, and unethical behaviour.

Where a suspension or cancellation of a student’s visa is not initiated by the student, the College will notify the student that he or she has 20 working days in which to access the complaints and appeals process, and may continue in the course until any appeals are finalized, according to Standard 8 of the National Code 2007.

The College will inform DIAC when a student’s enrolment is deferred, temporarily suspended or cancelled.

Teaching Method(s)


The teaching method(s) used at NTC are face-to-face lectures in class­rooms that are furnished with lecture chairs (to facilitate note-taking), white boards, overhead projector and video player equipment. Students may only enrol in full-time courses and cannot complete such courses by more than 25% distance or on-line learning.

MONITORING COURSE PROGRESS


The College will monitor the progress of all overseas students at the end of every semester to ensure they are completing their course within the duration specified in their CoE, without exceeding the allowable limit (25%) of distance or online learning, and ensuring that all students are studying at least one unit not by distance or online learning per semester.

Academic performance will also be monitored at the end of every semester to ensure all overseas students are maintaining satisfactory academic course progress.

When students are at risk of not meeting the course progress requirements, an intervention strategy will be implemented that focuses on interviewing and counselling students and assisting them to achieve satisfactory progress.

The Sydney College of Divinity and its Member Institutions will only enable students to extend the expected duration of study for their course through the issuing of a new CoE in limited circumstances, as outlined by Standards 9 and 10 of the National Code 2007.

Any breaches of student visa conditions will be reported to DIAC after the student has been informed and given access to appeals procedures, in keeping with Standard 8 of the National Code 2007.

Class Attendance and Approved Absences


Students are required to attend class sessions to receive credit for those courses in which they enrol. They are expected to be present from the beginning of each class session. Any absences (for a whole class session or a part thereof) should be explained to the lecturer as a matter of courtesy. Attendance records are kept by the lecturer, and this includes recording lateness (more than ten minutes) for a class session. Four late attendances count as an absence.

To complete a unit, a student must have been present for at least 80% of all prescribed activities. A student may only attempt any unit twice.  Overseas students must satisfy Australian government attendance requirements.

All absences for a class session must be reported as soon as possible on the Absence Approval Form, which is obtained from the office.When a student knows in advance that they are going to be absent from college during any class session, it should be cleared beforehand with the Academic Dean and the lecturer concerned by completing an Absence Approval Form. Only medical reasons or an extreme need are judged to be sufficient cause for an approved absence being granted.

Approved absences without further make-up work being required may be permitted up to 10% of the class contact hours per course at the lecturer's discretion. Any approved absences beyond this amount will require extra work to be completed—normally 50 pages of reading or its equivalent (at the lecturer’s discretion) in the course area for every hour (including the initial 10%) of approved absence. Failure to complete the extra work will result in the student failing the course. If a student is absent (approved or not) for more than 40% of the class hours they will automatically fail that course.

Unapproved absences may result in a grade reduction for that course or additional work may need to be undertaken, irrespective of the amount of time absent from class. Failure to complete the extra work will result in the student failing the course. If a student is absent for more than 40% of the class hours they will automatically fail that course.

Chapel Attendance and Participation


Chapel attendance is compulsory and will be recorded for all students throughout the semester. All absences from chapel must be reported as soon as possible on the Absence Approval Form, which is obtained from the library.When a student knows in advance that they are going to be absent from chapel, it should be cleared beforehand with the Academic Dean. Only medical reasons or an extreme need are judged to be sufficient cause for an approved absence being granted.

Full-time residential students are required to attend all chapel services each semester, even when they are not currently studying in a course. Full-time and part-time students living elsewhere in the Brisbane area are expected to attend when they have a class or other college activity that requires them to be on campus during the mornings that chapel is scheduled.

Students attending single courses and living on campus are required to be in chapel each week of the course. A student seeking any exemption from this policy must submit a written request to the Academic Committee prior to any absence.

Accountable Discipleship Groups


All full-time students are required to participate in an Accountable Discipleship group. This meets weekly for one hour and is coordinated by one of the staff. Membership is determined by college year level and they are divided into male and female groups.

Tutorial Groups


The college provides tutorial groups during the regular semesters and their primary purpose is to help students with a broad range of academic issues—including study skills. Attendance at the tutorial sessions is optional for most students but we strongly advise all first year students to make attendance a priority. The faculty may strongly advise attendance at these sessions for some students in certain courses. Failure to comply with this advice will be noted and this will be factored into any decisions to be made regarding that student’s academic progress. Those students placed on academic probation are required to attend these groups as part of their study discipline.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)


A student may apply for Recognition of prior learning. When making a decision on Prior Learning, the criteria of authenticity, currency, quality and validity are considered. Applicants are required to submit a submission/portfolio that should contain evidence that authenticates the previous learning experience, a statement that links the learning experiences with the specific learning outcomes of the College and a document that addresses the quality and validity criteria (e.g. an essay) set by a faculty/academic staff member from the relevant subject area. Fees as set out in the Schedule of Fees are payable for each application.

The College may award a number of credit points more than, less than or equal to the number of credit points sought. The College may decline to award credit points in which case reasons must be given to the applicant or may require further bridging work to be done to fill the gaps in the learning outcomes. Students may appeal to the College Academic Board against the outcome of a Recognition of Prior Learning application.

If an overseas student makes a successful application for Recognition of Prior Learning prior to the granting of a visa the College shall advise the student: