Bachelor of Arts Te Tohu Paetahi (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts is designed for curious minds and purpose-driven people. Flexible and interdisciplinary by design, it gives you the freedom to shape your study around what matters most to you. Specialise in Te Reo Māori, History, Theology, or Youth Work — or blend more than one into a hybrid pathway that’s entirely your own. Wherever you’re headed, the BA gives you the foundation to get there.

Arts & Professional Studies

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The Bachelor of Arts is a three-year undergraduate degree designed to provide a flexible and interdisciplinary educational foundation for students at varying stages of vocational discernment. The programme accommodates both those with clearly defined professional goals and those who are still exploring their academic and career pathways, offering a structure that supports individual agency while maintaining rigorous academic standards. Students select a specialisation from four distinct disciplinary areas — Te Reo Māori, History, Theology, and Youth Work — each offering its own theoretical framework, experiential learning opportunities, and vocational outcomes. For students whose interests span more than one discipline, a hybrid specialisation may be constructed, drawing from two or more of these areas to reflect particular vocational interests and academic goals. Across all specialisations, the BA emphasises the integration of knowledge with practice, preparing graduates for people-focused professions including teaching, ministry, community leadership, postgraduate study, and a broad range of public and faith-based sector roles.

The BA is a three-year full-time (or part-time equivalent) programme. The usual programme structure is 24 courses at 15 credits each at Levels 5, 6, and 7; however, there are also 30-credit internship and practicum courses on offer in the programme.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Te Tohu Paetahi (BA) choose a specialisation when enrolling, with the option to combine areas, enabling more tailored and vocationally relevant pathways. Specialisations on offer in the BA in 2027 include: Te Reo Māori, Theology, History, and Youth Work. Te Reo Māori is delivered in a full immersion context at our Auckland campus only in 2027.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts Te Tohu Paetahi (BA) must complete:
- a minimum of 75 credits at Level 7;
- the four core courses (required for all specialisations except the Te Reo Māori specialisation): 907.515 A Bicultural Relationships: Tikanga Kawenata, 115.515 A Reading the Bible, 219.615 A Ngākau Maia: Christian Confidence, and 590.715 A Capstone: Integrative Practice;
- the required courses specific to their enrolled specialisation;
- a minimum of 120 credits within their specialisation;
- a minimum of 60 credits of the final 120 credits of the programme within their specialisation;
- 360 credits across the programme.
Please refer to your chosen specialisation for the specific requirements.

(Average full-time programme for one year = 120 credits)

Note: The BA programme is three years and the annual fee may vary. Please refer to Fee Schedule for more details (www.laidlaw.ac.nz/fees)

Programme Requirements

BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY	BIBLICAL STUDIES (100S)	CHRISTIAN THOUGHT & HISTORY (200-300S)	PASTORAL, MISSIONAL & CONTEXTUAL STUDIES (400-600S)
Minimum credits for degree	90	75	90
	A total minimum of 360 credits A total minimum of 180 credits at level 6 or above A total minimum of 75 credits at level 7
Level 5	115.515 Reading the Bible 120.515 Reading the Old Testment 140.515 Reading the New Testment	201.515 Engaging Theory 308.515 Christian History: Our Story	401.515 Formation 505.515 Christian Leadership and Mission 907.515 Bicultural Relationships: Tikanga Kawabata
Level 6 & 7	111.715 Interpreting the Bible At least 1 OT and 1 NT exegesis paper	202.6/715 Christology 219.6/715 Nākau Maia: Christian Confidence	480.6/715 Faithful Living: Intro to Reflective Practice 590.715 Capstone: Integrative Practice

It’s the breadth of study, of knowledge, the way the staff require you to think. They don’t spoon feed you. They want you to think critically, thoughtfully, prayerfully. You’re given options and required to construct a frame for yourself.”

Kyla Scrimgeour | Theology Graduate

Additional Information

General and other Specialisations

Immersion environment (“language bubble”), whānau-based learning

Semester 1

Semester 2

Biblical Studies Specialisation

On completion of the Bachelor of Theology Laidlaw College graduates will:

Embody leadership grounded in the Gospel, in community, and across vocations and society.
Think integratively about Christian faith, identity, traditions, and the world, articulating their worldview with confidence, intelligence, creativity, and respect.
Practise critical thinking, transferable skills, and ethical behaviour when addressing societal issues and professional responsibilities.
Engage in interpersonal relationships in complex contexts with awareness, and excellent communication and collaborative skills.
Outwork their faith and vocation in relationship to whenua, and within the context of whānau, hāpu, and iwi, upholding a commitment to te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Graduates of the Te Reo Māori specialisation will also be able to: Ka whakaaturia te mātau me te māia ki te reo Māori mā te whakawhiti kōrero ki ngā horopaki ōkawa, ōpaki anō hoki. Ka matatau ki ngā āhuatanga o te reo me te mārama ki te tatao ki ngā tikanga Māori.
Graduates of the Theology specialisation will also be able to: Integrate biblical and theological knowledge with lived experience, evaluating how the centrality of Christ shapes their perspective and ministry in the world.
Graduates of the History specialisation will also be able to: Research, interpret, and communicate historical knowledge, with a focus on Aotearoa New Zealand, critically engaging with primary and secondary sources and diverse historiographical perspectives.
Graduates of the Chaplaincy specialisation will also be able to: Critically apply biblical, theological and practical skills to provide chaplaincy care across diverse contexts, offering spiritual support, pastoral presence and ceremonial leadership.
Graduates of the Youth Work specialisation will also be able to: Critically integrate youth development theory and contextual understanding with ethical youth work practice to uphold Mana Taiohi and support holistic aspirations of young people.

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