General Admission Standards
Although the Theological College of Zimbabwe includes “Academic Excellence” among its Core Values, academic qualifications alone do not guarantee an applicant’s acceptance to study at TCZ. As a private Christian institution whose mandate is to train leaders for Christian ministry in the Church and society, TCZ reserves the right to decline acceptance to applicants who do not accept the College’s Statement of Faith or who give evidence that they are not prepared to abide by the Lifestyle Covenant (a copy of which is sent to applicants in the application process, and is also available by request from the College). In addition, acceptance may be declined if, in the judgement of College administrators, the applicant does not demonstrate a high level of commitment to Christ and to ministry in the Church or society, or does not demonstrate a maturity or sense of commitment to Christian community which is required of TCZ students.
Academic Admission Requirements
Advanced Diploma in Theology
Five O-levels, including English Language, with a ‘C’ symbol or better, are required for applicants for the Advanced Diploma in Theology programme.
Mature Entry status may be applied for if a person has only four O-levels (including English Language), is over the age of 25, and has at least three years’ work experience in a relevant field. However, continuation of this programme beyond the first year will be dependent on faculty’s assessment of the student’s academic performance (normally evidenced by an average minimum grade of 60% for the year), spirituality and maturity.
Please note: Mature entry candidates will be limited to 10% of the programme intake.
Bachelor of Arts (Theology)
Five O-levels, including English Language, with a ‘C’ symbol or better, and two passes at A-level, or the equivalent are required for applicants for the Bachelor of Arts (Theology) programme.
Students may also be accepted on a Mature Entry basis — that is, if they have five O-levels, including English Language, are 25 years of age or older and have at least three years’ work experience in a relevant field. However, continuation at degree level will be dependent on faculty’s assessment of the student’s academic performance (normally evidenced by an average grade of 60% in the first year), spirituality, and maturity.
Please note: Mature entry candidates will be limited to 10% of the programme intake.
Bachelor of Arts Honours (Theology)
Applicants must possess a recognised and appropriate undergraduate degree with an overall average of 60% or better. In addition, applicants must meet the same spiritual and ministry entrance requirements as detailed for the B.A. degree programme.
All applicants for the B.A. Honours programme must submit a sample paper to demonstrate their proficiency in Academic Writing, and may be required to take TCZ’s Academic Writing course as a preliminary to beginning their Honours studies.
All applicants must have completed at least one year of Biblical Hebrew or Greek. TCZ graduates who completed their language courses more than five years before application to the Honours programme, and all non-TCZ graduates, will be required to test out of the relevant Biblical Language before beginning their Honours studies.
Women's Ministries Institute
The two-year Women’s Ministries Institute Study Programme is open to any Christian woman who has already demonstrated an assurance of salvation and an active participation in the ministry of the local church or community. All classes are conducted in the English language.
The normal minimum academic qualification is at least five passes at Zimbabwe Junior Certificate level, one of which must be English.
For mature entry (women who are 35 years or older), the minimum academic qualification is a pass of at least three Grade 7 subjects, of which one is English.