International Students

The Sydney College of Divinity is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students in New South Wales (CRICOS Code: 02948J), Queensland (CRICOS Code: 02904K) and Western Australia (CRICOS Code: 03284C). The management of overseas students is regulated by the Education Services for Overseas Students Legislative Framework which includes, amongst other things, the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 (as amended in 2007).

At present there are no places available to overseas students seeking on-shore studies at St Andrew’s that would require compliance with Australian government student visa requirements. Notification of any changes to this situation will be posted on this website.

Off-shore study through St Andrew’s is open to overseas students by distance education (online) mode. The following courses are available:

Compulsory attendance at prescribed residential schools is waived and replaced by alternative assessment tasks by the Lecturer. Nonetheless, off-shore students are encouraged and welcome to attend the residential schools. In this regard, only a Tourist Visa (Subclass 676) would normally be required for entry into Australia.

The cost of travelling to attend a residential school is not included in the course unit’s tuition fee. Students are required to make their own travel arrangements.

Meals and refreshments are provided on campus at no additional cost and in keeping with the feasting and fasting periods of the Church. Students with special dietary needs based on medical advice should consult the Registrar before enrolling in the unit.

St Andrew’s is not able to provide accommodation during the residential school period. Students are advised of nearby accommodation options which include:

The following documentation is needed as part of the admissions process (original materials not in English must be formally translated into English by an accredited translator):
1. APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION FORM (PDF)
2. Proof of Citizenship (e.g. copy of birth certificate or current passport)
3. Academic Records -– please include evidence of any formal language studies other than English
4. Two (2) photographs of passport size and quality, taken not more than 3 months prior
5.
 At least one letter of recommendation from the applicant's local bishop or father confessor/parish priest [Note: Any applicant from an Orthodox Christian jurisdiction other than the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia normally requires a letter of recommendation from their local bishop as well as their father confessor or parish priest].
6. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) documents or evidence of equivalent English Language test (if previous academic training was undertaken in a language other than English).
7. An interview process with the Registrar via telephone or Skype will be required.

Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer and other relevant information. Those accepting their offer of placement should begin to nurture – or continue nurturing – a good reading knowledge of the entire Bible through conscientious daily scripture reading. Furthermore, the following books are recommended as preparatory reading for the commencement of one’s studies:

  • Ware, T. The Orthodox Church. New Edition. Penguin Books, 1993.
  • Ware, K. The Orthodox Way. SVS Press, 1993.
These books can be purchased from a number of vendors including the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia Book Centre, 242 Cleveland St, Redfern NSW 2016. (Tel) +61 2 9690 6100 (Fax) +61 2 9698 5368 (Email) bookcentre@greekorthodox.org.au.

Admission into a course of study is followed by enrolment into course units within a given semester. See Enrolment.