Bachelor of Theology

General Content

The main purpose of studying theology is to develop a detailed, critical understanding of fundamental Christian texts, the Christian tradition and various historical, philosophical, theological and ethical currents of thought, as well as contemporary expressions of Christianity. Theology also takes a critical look at church practices.

The Bachelor’s degree comprises several disciplines characterised by a range of different approaches, but with close connections and interactions between them. These are:

  • Hebrew Bible/Old Testament
  • New Testament and ancient Christian literature
  • History of Christianity
  • Systematic theology
  • Ethics
  • Practical theology
  • Study of religions, psychology of religion and sociology of religion
Course Structure

ba_theologie_23.jpg

Practical Information

Organiser
College of Protestant Theology

Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Theology (BTh)

ECTS Credits
180

Duration
6 semesters

Teaching Language
French

Enrolment deadline
30 April. If you require a visa to study in Switzerland: 28 February.

Further information
Applications
Course description
Timetables

Study Options After the Bachelor's Degree

At UNIL, the following Master's programmes are open without further conditions to holders of the Bachelor in Theology (BTh):

Career Opportunities

Career prospects depend partly on the choice of Master’s course.

Areas of activity

After your Master of Theology course (having taken the “practical theology” option) and a pastoral placement, you will have the option of practising as a pastoral minister, which offers a variety of opportunities, including facilitating events, celebrations, catechism, support, chaplaincy, missions, educational and mutual support initiatives, etc. If you do not wish to work in the church, you may be interested in a range of other professional sectors, including journalism, social work, teaching, non-governmental organisations, publishing, etc.

Joining the ministry

If you are thinking about practising as a minister in a Reformed Church in French-speaking Switzerland (associated with the Conférence des Eglises réformées de Suisse romande) (Conference of Reformed Churches in French-speaking Switzerland), it is possible to complete a so-called “exploratory” placement in a church during your studies. This involves shadowing a minister for one to three months and is an excellent opportunity to make contacts and gain initial experience.

To practise as a minister, you will need a university Master of Theology qualification (“practical theology” option), followed by an 18-month placement. After your placement and some initial practical experience (as a suffragant or deputy), you can apply to your church’s ordination committee to be ordained as a pastoral minister.

Pedagogical supervision of your placement and its accompanying courses is provided by the Office protestant de la formation (Protestant Training Office).

In figures

Every two years, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (OFS) conducts a survey on graduate employment, one year after students have completed their course. View the results for Theololgy graduates online:

Examples of positions

Subject to changes.
The French version prevails. Only the official texts should be considered binding.
Last update: 17 August 2023

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Further Information

Faculté de théologie et de sciences des religions

Université de Lausanne
Bâtiment Anthropole

1015 Lausanne

Tél. +41 21 692 27 00
Fax +41 21 692 27 05 

secretariat.etudiants.ftsr@unil.ch
www.unil.ch/ftsr

Applications

Unicentre - CH-1015 Lausanne
Switzerland
Tel. +41 21 692 11 11
Fax +41 21 692 20 15