Graduate Diploma in Theology

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Course Duration
  • 1 year full-time
  • Up to 3 years part-time
AQF and Course Codes
  • Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma (AQF 8)
  • CRICOS 045446J
Tuition Fees
AU$20,304
at 2026 fees
Next Intake
February, July
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Course Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Theology allows students to explore areas of interest in theology. It provides a substantial foundation for further study and a means of engaging Christian thought and traditions. Graduates are able to articulate insights for Christian practice and identity.

Course Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Theology:

  1. have knowledge of sources, terms and concepts required for theological engagement;
  2. have research, analysis and communication skills applicable to theological studies;
  3. apply skills of interpretation to a range of texts with awareness of context, implications and application to historical and or contemporary issues;
  4. apply relevant theological and hermeneutical skills in clearly articulating insights into life, work and community.

Course Structure

The Graduate Diploma in Theology consists of 144 points.

Course Structure Points
Postgraduate foundational units from at least three fields 72
Postgraduate units in any discipline 72

A person may apply to the Academic Board to enrol as a candidate for the Graduate Diploma in Theology if he or she:

  • has obtained or is qualified to obtain a Bachelor degree from the University of Divinity or from a university or college recognised by the Academic Board; or
  • has obtained a Graduate Certificate from the University of Divinity.

The Graduate Diploma in Theology requires completion of 144 points (6 standard postgraduate units).

Fees for 2026 are $3,384 per standard unit or $20,304 for a full-time year (6 units).

Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.

Credit of up to 72 points may be granted towards this award.

Credit may include:

Prior Qualification or Training Maximum Credit Specific Application
Certificate of Religious Education of the Catholic Diocese of Sale 48 24 points towards Religious Education at Postgraduate Foundational level.
24 points towards Mission and Ministry at Postgraduate Foundational level.

Exemption without credit may be available as follows:

Prior Qualification or Training Maximum Points Specific Application
Bachelor of Theology or Bachelor of Ministry 72 Exemption without credit for 72 points of Postgraduate Foundational units in three disciplines from at least three Fields.

Credit is granted in accordance with the Credit Policy.

Graduate pathways

Graduates may proceed to a Masters award. Graduates who have included a Minor Thesis (16000 words) in their course may be eligible to apply for admission to a higher degree by research.

Choose a Home College

Australian Lutheran College

Catholic Theological College

Eva Burrows College

Pilgrim Theological College

St Athanasius College

St Barnabas College

Trinity College Theological School

Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

Whitley College

Wollaston Theological College

Yarra Theological Union

Study Modes

Courses can be delivered through a variety of modes, such as:

  • Face-to-face: This is the traditional mode of study where you attend your classes in person at a physical location.
  • Online: In this mode, teaching and learning activities are delivered online.
  • Mixed-modes: This combines both face-to-face and online units throughout your award.
  • Intensive: this involves completing a condensed amount of content over a shorter period of time. Intensives can be face-to-face or online.
  • Supervised Research: This involves independent research, which is supervised by one or more people with expertise in the field.

Course Duration

The standard full-time duration of the Graduate Diploma in Theology is one year. The Graduate Diploma in Theology must be completed in not less than one year and not more than three years from the date on which the course is commenced.
Standard Minimum Maximum
1 year
1 year
3 years

AQF Level:

Regulation:

Regulation 11 Awards, Courses and Units

Course Code:

CRICOS Code:

045446J

The table gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students admitted into this course. It provides data on all students who commenced study in the most relevant recent intake period.

Student profile for Semester 1, 2026

Applicant Background Number of Students Percentage of Students
(A) Past Higher Education Study 15 93.75%
(B) Past Vocational Education and Training (VET) Study 0 0%
(C) Recent Secondary Education
Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR 0 0%
Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered 0 0%
Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor 0 0%
(D) Work and life experience 0 0%
International Students 1 6.25%
All Students 16 100.00%

You can compare other institutions with the University of Divinity to help inform your postgraduate study choices. ComparED is an initiative of the Australian Government. It’s powered by QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) surveys that draw data from real life student experiences from commencement of study through to employment.

Upon successful completion of all course requirements, students will receive an invitation to graduate. This entitles the graduate to wear the approved Academic Dress at the graduation ceremony, and to use the approved postnominals after their name.

Academic Dress

Gown: Black Bachelor gown

Headwear: Black trencher

Hood: None

Postnominals

GDTheol

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