Iona Trinity College

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Planning Your Study Pathway

Choosing further study involves more than selecting the next qualification. Students come to higher education with different educational backgrounds, work and life experiences, ministry involvement, interests and future goals. For some students, further study deepens knowledge in an existing field. For others, it broadens their education, develops complementary knowledge and skills, or provides an opportunity to enter a new discipline.

This page is intended to help prospective students consider how a course at Iona Trinity College (ITC) may fit within their broader educational pathway.

The information on this page is general guidance only. Each ITC course is a separate higher education qualification with its own entry requirements, course structure and learning outcomes. Admission and any application for credit are considered separately in accordance with ITC policies and procedures.

Thinking About Your Next Course

Before choosing a course, it may be helpful to consider:

  • What have I studied or learned previously?
  • What knowledge and skills do I want to develop next?
  • Does the proposed course deepen my existing field of study, broaden my education, or introduce me to a different discipline?
  • What does the proposed course offer that is different from or additional to my previous studies?
  • How does the course relate to my educational, professional, ministry, community or personal goals?
  • Is the level, content and commitment required by the course appropriate for my present circumstances and future plans?

There is no single educational pathway that is appropriate for every student. A course should be considered in light of the individual student’s previous learning, interests, capabilities and reasons for undertaking further study.

Different Forms of Educational Progression

Further study does not always mean moving directly from one Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level to the next.

A student may choose further study in order to:

  • Deepen existing knowledge

A student may continue studying within the same or a closely related discipline in order to develop greater depth, more advanced understanding or a different approach to the field.

  • Broaden existing education

A student may study an adjacent field that provides a wider perspective on their existing knowledge or experience.

  • Develop complementary knowledge and skills

Different disciplines may contribute different forms of knowledge and capability to a student’s broader educational or vocational development.

  • Enter a new discipline

A student may decide that their interests or future goals require study in a substantially different field.

For these reasons, meaningful educational development does not necessarily involve completing qualifications in a simple sequence of increasing AQF levels. The important consideration is what the proposed course contributes to the student’s learning and how it relates to the student’s educational goals.

Moving from Vocational Education and Training to Higher Education

Students may enter ITC after completing studies in the vocational education and training (VET) sector or may have VET qualifications among their previous studies.

VET and higher education are distinct sectors of Australian education. A previous VET qualification may provide valuable knowledge, practical skills and preparation for further study. Higher education courses may involve different forms of academic inquiry, critical analysis, theoretical engagement, assessment and independent learning.

Completing a VET qualification does not in itself mean that a student must progress to a particular higher education course or AQF level. Prospective students should consider the content and purpose of the proposed higher education course and what it would add to their previous learning.

Previous VET study may be relevant to an application for admission or credit, but these are separate matters and are considered in accordance with ITC’s applicable policies and course requirements.

Considering Study in Theology

ITC’s Bachelor of Theology is a higher education qualification at AQF Level 7.

Students considering theological study may come from a variety of backgrounds. These may include previous studies in theology, ministry or related areas, experience in churches or other community settings, previous higher education or VET study, or entry into formal theological education for the first time.

Further theological study may be appropriate for students seeking to develop areas such as

  • biblical and theological knowledge
  • critical engagement with the Christian tradition
  • understanding of church history and Christian practice
  • theological reflection
  • engagement with contemporary social, cultural and public issues
  • ministry-related knowledge and capabilities or
  • the ability to integrate theology, practice and context.

Previous ministry or theological study may provide useful preparation, but prospective students should consider how the Bachelor of Theology differs from and builds upon their previous learning.

Considering Study in Counselling

ITC’s Advanced Diploma of Counselling is a higher education qualification at AQF Level 6.

Students considering counselling study may enter with different educational and vocational backgrounds. Some may be entering counselling as a new discipline. Others may have previous studies or experience in counselling, chaplaincy, pastoral care, ministry, community work or related fields.

Further study in counselling may be appropriate where a student seeks to develop areas such as

  • knowledge of major counselling and psychotherapy theories
  • therapeutic and interpersonal skills
  • case formulation
  • trauma-informed practice
  • culturally responsive counselling
  • knowledge of mental health and related areas
  • ethical and reflective practice and
  • supervised practical experience in counselling.

Previous counselling, chaplaincy or pastoral care study may provide relevant background, but an ITC higher education course is a separate qualification with its own learning outcomes, academic requirements and assessment expectations.

Theology and Counselling as
Distinct but Potentially Complementary Fields

Theology and counselling are distinct disciplines and neither course is a prerequisite for the other.

In some circumstances, however, a student may identify educational value in studying both fields at different stages of their development.

For example, a person with theological or ministry education may seek counselling study to develop knowledge and skills relating to therapeutic relationships, counselling practice, mental health, grief, trauma or other forms of human need. A person with counselling, chaplaincy or pastoral care experience may seek theological study in order to develop a broader or deeper understanding of Christian theology, ministry and practice.

Whether such study is appropriate depends on the individual student’s background and goals. The existence of a relationship between two fields does not mean that undertaking one qualification automatically requires or leads to undertaking another.

Applicants with Previous Study at
Iona Columba College

Graduates of Iona Columba College (ICC), like graduates of other education providers, are welcome to apply for ITC courses where they believe further higher education is appropriate to their educational goals.

ICC and ITC are separate registered education providers operating in different sectors of Australian education. Completion of an ICC qualification does not provide automatic admission to an ITC course.

ICC graduates apply through ITC’s normal admissions processes and must satisfy the applicable entry requirements for the course for which they are applying.

Previous ICC study may provide relevant educational background or preparation, depending on the course and the individual applicant. However, completion of an ICC course does not automatically provide credit, advanced standing or a reduction in the duration of an ITC course.

Admission and Credit Are Separate Matters

Prospective students should distinguish between previous learning that may assist them in undertaking further study and formal recognition of that learning for admission or credit purposes.

Admission is the process by which ITC determines whether an applicant satisfies the requirements for entry into a particular course.

Credit is the recognition of prior learning towards requirements of an ITC course. Where a student seeks credit for previous formal, non-formal or informal learning, the application is considered separately in accordance with ITC’s Qualifications Pathways Policy and Procedure and applicable academic requirements.

Being admitted to a course does not in itself mean that credit will be granted. Similarly, having previous study in a related field does not automatically establish equivalence with particular units in an ITC course.

Students seeking information about admission or credit should refer to ITC’s current policies, entry requirements and course information.

International Students

International students should consider the same educational questions when choosing a course, including how the proposed study relates to their previous education and future goals.

Admission to ITC and eligibility for an Australian student visa are separate matters. ITC determines admission to its courses in accordance with its admissions requirements and policies. Student visas are administered by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs under Australian migration law.

International students are responsible for ensuring that they understand and satisfy the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances.

ITC does not guarantee that admission to a course will result in the grant of a student visa or any other migration outcome.

Before You Apply

Prospective students are encouraged to review

  • the relevant ITC course page and course structure
  • the learning outcomes and requirements of the proposed course
  • ITC’s Entry Requirements
  • applicable fees and study commitments and
  • ITC’s policies concerning admission and qualifications pathways.

Consider whether the course provides learning that is appropriate to your previous education and what you wish to achieve through further study.

If you are uncertain whether an ITC course is appropriate for your educational goals, you are welcome to contact ITC before applying to discuss the course and obtain further information.