Bachelor of Theology (BTh)

Laidlaw’s Bachelor of Theology is our gold standard in theological training — equipping you with deep knowledge of Scripture, Christian thought, and theological reflection. It develops the biblical knowledge, practical skills, and theological formation needed for pastoral, missional, and ministry contexts — or as a pathway to further academic study. Choose the General BTh for a broad, vibrant college experience, or follow a focused Specialisation pathway tailored to your field. Two ways in. One transformative foundation.

Bible & Theology

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The Bachelor of Theology is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in biblical studies, theological knowledge, and reflection. It provides an in-depth engagement with Scripture, Christian Thought and History, and equips students with the skills they need for pastoral and missional leadership, as well as other ministries. It is also strongly recommended for those seeking theological grounding for higher academic qualifications in biblical and theological studies.
The Bachelor of Theology at Laidlaw can be completed in two ways:

General BTh
The General pathway through the BTh is designed to offer all students a solid, biblical,
theological, and practical foundation while also creating space within it to include a wide
range of courses. Students join a vibrant College life which includes chapels, community
lunches, and other events.

BTh with Specialisation
Students may choose to follow a BTh specialisation pathway through their programme.
Specialisations are a curated three-year plan of study focusing on a particular field of study.
Specialisations currently on offer are:

Biblical Studies
Christian Thought & History
Pastoral Leadership
Youth Leadership
Missions Studies

The Bachelor of Theology 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 courses on offer in the programme.
Students must successfully complete a minimum of 90 credits from Biblical Studies courses (100s), a minimum of 75 credits from Christian Thought & History courses (200-300s), a minimum of 90 credits from Pastoral, Missional and Contextual Studies courses (400-600s).
Students must successfully complete all required courses (please refer to programme summary), a minimum of 180 credits at level 6 or above, a minimum of 75 credits at level 7, and a total minimum of 360 credits.

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

* The BTh 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	115.515Reading the Bible 120.515Reading the Old Testment 140.515Reading the New Testment	201.515Engaging Theory 308.515Christian History: Our Story	401.515Formation 505.515Christian Leadership and Mission 907.515Bicultural Relationships: Tikanga Kawenata
Level 6 & 7	111.715Interpreting the BibleAt least 1 OT and 1 NT exegesis paper	202.6/715Christology 219.6/715Ngākau Maia: Christian Confidence	480.6/715Faithful Living: Intro to Reflective Practice 590.715Capstone: Integrative Practice

At Laidlaw, every course—whether Scripture, mission, or bicultural relations—is taught to move beyond information into transformation, equipping students to carry theology out of the classroom and into real, everyday encounters with the world."

Nate Woods | Bachelor of Theology Student

Additional Information

If you are completing the BTh following the General, Christian Thought & History, Pastoral
Leadership, Youth Leadership, or Missions Studies pathways, we recommend taking the following required Level 5 courses in your first year of study:

Semester 1: 115.515 Reading the Bible, 140.515 Reading the New Testament, 907.515
Bicultural Relationships: Tikanga Kawenata, 505.515 Christian Leadership and Mission

Semester 2: 120.515 Reading the Old Testament, 401.515 Formation, 201.515
Engaging Theology, 308.515 Christian History: Our Story

If you are completing the BTh following the Biblical Studies pathway, we recommend taking a biblical language course in your first year of study as this will allow you to take an Old
Testament or New Testament exegetical course that exegetes from the Greek or Hebrew text
in your second year of study. Therefore, your recommended courses for your first year of study include:

Semester 1: 115.515 Reading the Bible, 140.515 Reading the New Testament, 106.515 Hebrew 1 or 108.515 Greek 1, 505.515 Christian Leadership and Mission

Semester 2: 120.515 Reading the New Testament, 201.515 Engaging Theology, 107.515 Hebrew 2 or 109.515 Greek 2, 308.515 Christian History: Our Story

Graduate Outcomes

Be agents of change and grace as they live out the gospel in diverse vocations.
Be equipped to be leaders in church, non-profit, educational, and other vocational settings.
Be thoroughly Christian in terms of their perspective of the world and the centrality of Christ.
Have established a good biblical and theological knowledge which they can continue to build on.
Have been mentored, understanding the necessity of relationships for sustained ministry and transformation.
Have a heart for people and a holistic vision of the gospel making a difference spiritually, socially, emotionally, and physically.
Have developed the skills of reflective practice which allows them to thoughtfully bring their lived experience into conversation with their biblical and theological knowledge.
Have developed the skills to discern the uniqueness of how God is at work in a local context.
Have gained life skills for leading, communicating, resolving conflict, mentoring, and personal management.
Have developed an awareness of self and their unique set of giftings that enables them to recognise their best fit for Christian ministry practice and their potential for development.
Be thoroughly versed in their commitments to Te Tiriti o Waitangi/Treaty of Waitangi, as tangata whenua or tangata tiriti.