Catholic Theological College

Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity exists for the academic formation of priestly candidates, religious and lay people, for the pastoral service of the Church, principally in Victoria and Tasmania.

Its aims are:

1. to cultivate and promote through academic research the theological sciences and to deepen knowledge of Christian revelation and of matters connected with it;
2. to teach students thoroughly, according to Catholic doctrine, in order to prepare them to face their tasks properly and to promote the continuing permanent education of the ministers of the Church;
3. to collaborate, in close communion with the hierarchy, with the local and universal Church, in the work of spreading the Gospel.

Catholic Theological College (CTC) was established in 1972 by a group of dioceses and religious orders which agreed to act together as a confederated body in academic matters. This federation currently comprises the Archdioceses of Melbourne and Hobart, the Dioceses of Ballarat, Sandhurst and Sale, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Conventual Franciscan Friars, the Dominican Friars, the Missionaries of God’s Love, the Society of Jesus and the Society of the Divine Saviour (Salvatorians). CTC is the seminary of choice for other dioceses and formation houses including: the Archdiocese of Adelaide, the Dioceses of Port Pirie, Darwin, and Wollongong, and the Capuchin Friars.

CTC is committed to the highest standards of teaching and research in philosophy and theology, within the Catholic tradition. It collaborates in the Church’s mission to spread the Gospel, and provides academic formation for people committed to the pastoral service of the Church.  In 1973, CTC became a Recognised Teaching Institution of University of Divinity, which was constituted as a degree-granting body by the Parliament of Victoria in 1910.

The College is conveniently located in East Melbourne, near the Fitzroy Gardens, and on the edge of the Melbourne CBD. Its buildings bring together the historic bluestone of the original Parade College and the award-winning architecture of Gregory Burgess.

Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Some are preparing for ministry in the Church, such as women from religious orders, candidates for the permanent diaconate program and lay ecclesial ministers. Others are undertaking study for professional development or personal enrichment.

CTC offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as opportunity for higher degrees by research. Students can also take single units and audit individual units for interest rather than for assessment.

The teaching staff at CTC are internationally qualified and highly experienced.

Address: 278 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne Victoria 3002

PO Box 146, East Melbourne VIC 8002

Phone: (03) 9412 3333

Public Transport Details

Tram
Routes 12 and 109 pass CTC – Victoria Parade.
Route 30 terminates at St Vincent’s Plaza (a short walk to/from CTC).
Route 11: alight at St Vincent’s Plaza (a short walk to/from CTC).

Train
To Parliament Station, then a short walk through the gardens or a tram (routes 11, 12 and 109 pass the Macarthur Street exit of Parliament Station).

Bus
The following Victoria Parade bus routes pass the front door: 302, 303, 304, 305, 309, 318, 350, 905, 906, 907, 908.

Further Information

• Myki cards
• Public Transport Victoria website 
• Yarra Trams website

The College is conveniently located in East Melbourne, beside the Fitzroy Gardens, and on the edge of the Melbourne CBD. Its buildings bring together the historic bluestone of the original Parade College and the award-winning architecture of Gregory Burgess. CTC also offers programs at approved off-campus locations.

Catholic Theological College has been located in various parts of Melbourne since its beginning in 1972 at Corpus Christi Seminary, Glen Waverley. In 1973-1998 it was located at Clayton and since 1999 has been located in East Melbourne, the site of Parade College 1871-1967 and Cathedral College 1968-1994.

The present new building and overall site were designed by Greg Burgess, whose creative designs earned him the Royal Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2004. The site was the winner of the Heritage Property Award (2001) of the Australia Property Institute, and the subject of commendation in the 2000 Victorian Architecture Awards of the RAIA in 2000.

Students come from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Some are preparing for ministry and service in the Church, such as seminarians, women from religious orders, candidates for the permanent diaconate and lay ecclesial ministers. Others are undertaking study for professional development or personal enrichment.

CTC offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as opportunity for higher degrees by research. Students can also enrol in single units and/or audit individual units/classes for interest rather than for assessment.

The programs offered originally were geared to seminary formation. However, it was quickly recognised that they were of benefit to many others. A primary degree, Bachelor of Theology, is undertaken by the majority of students. Like most bachelor qualifications, the degree is studied for three years full time, but with the possibility of up to nine years part time. A wide range of postgraduate courses is also available, in both coursework and research. For more information visit our courses page and our apply for admission page.

The teaching staff at CTC are internationally qualified and highly experienced.

CTC currently offers the Graduate Certificate in Teaching Religious Education online and off-site. This course provides an opportunity for students to develop and deepen their understanding of theology, sacred scripture, sacramental life, and religious education. The Certificate enables students to prepare, implement and evaluate programs of religious education.  It fulfils the requirements of the Catholic Education Commission of Victoria Policy Accreditation to Teach Religious Education in a Catholic School for teachers who already meet the VIT requirements for teacher registration. 

CTC also offers the Master of Education and Theology, in collaboration with Yarra Theological Union (YTU). This degree offers teachers an opportunity to complement and extend their previous learning in education and religious education. It is a recognised course for sponsored study by Catholic Education Melbourne, Catholic Education Sandhurst, and Catholic Education Sale. Units may be taken at Beaconsfield, Bendigo, East Melbourne and Box Hill, and some of them have an online component. 

Previous Outreach Programs

From 2014 to 2016, CTC offered pastoral ministry formation at Shepparton through the Graduate Certificate in Theology, in collaboration with the Diocese of Sandhurst. 

In 1995, the Master, Most Rev. Dr Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane, arranged for two units each semester to be made available at Catholic Co-educational College at Sydenham, to accommodate students from the western suburbs.  This continued for four years. With the transfer of CTC from Clayton to East Melbourne, and with much greater accessibility of public transport, the venture concluded in 1998.

In 1987, on the initiative of the Master, Vale Dr Norman Ford SDB, CTC offered a Bachelor of Theology unit in each semester at St Paul’s College, Traralgon.  During the nine years of its operation, this initiative provided the regional community of Gippsland with the chance of completing two-thirds of the degree. Many completed the final units of the degree at Clayton.