Sydney Missionary and Bible College, Ridley Melbourne, Melbourne School of Theology, Brisbane School of Theology, the Bible College of SA and other theological colleges are now part of Australia’s newest University College.
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has decided to register the Australian College of Theology (ACT) as a University College. ACT has about 3,000 students enrolled in courses in Theology, Ministry and Christian Studies, across its 16 affiliates. It joins Moore Theological College and Alphacrucis University College in this category, alongside the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA), and the Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS).
Avondale University College was granted full University status in 2021.
The TEQSA Commission made this decision after ACT presented new evidence, following a previous decision by TEQSA in July 2021. The Other Cheek understands that simplifying a very complicated structure was a key component of this new evidence. The Anglican Church was removed as the controlling entity of the college. This Anglican involvement was a hangover from ACT’s original purpose before it evolved into a network of independent colleges. Anglicans are now just one stakeholder among others.
TEQSA Chief Commissioner Professor Peter Coaldrake AO said the national higher education regulator accepted that the Australian College of Theology now meets the standards for registration as a University College.
The University College category was set up in 2021 following reforms to the categories of Australian higher education providers. University College is only one rung below being a full University and requires high standards.
“University College status is welcome recognition for ACT and its affiliated colleges,” said Professor Roger Lewis, the Chair of the ACT Board of Directors. “This endorsement acknowledges the outstanding teaching and scholarship of college lecturers and the maturity of our governance and management,” he said.
In a letter to ACT in 2021, TEQSA noted a number of the college’s strengths including its strong Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching survey results and strong engagement with community, employers and industry across its affiliate colleges. The ACT has over 80 doctoral students currently and has already awarded 176 doctorates. The ACT has a strong cohort of lecturers publishing at the highest level in the fields of theology and religious studies.
An observer from a different provider told The Other Cheek that ACT’s research output is high quality, matching the standard of an institution with university staus. ACT will press on towards gaining the title of University. the rules allow for an institution like ACT that specialises in one discipline – theology in their case to become a university.
ACT colleges
NSW
Chinese Theological College
Christ College
Mary Andrews College
Morling College
Sydney Missionary and Bible College
Youthworks College
Queensland
Brisbane School of Theology
Malyon College
Queensland Theological College
Trinity College Queensland
Victoria
Melbourne School of Theology
Presbyterian Theological Centre
Reformed Theological College
Ridley Melbourne
WA
Morling College
Trinity Theological College
SA
Bible College SA
Aotearoa NZ
Laidlaw College
Tasmania
Melbourne School of Theology