About Union
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The Student Body in Union
A wide variety of students study at Union. Some of our students have come to the College as part of their training for the Ordained Ministry. We also have many other students who have come to study theology with a view to a wide range of career options - or just for personal interest.
Students range in age from school-leavers to retired. All the main denominations are represented in the student community - and students are welcome from any (or no) denominational background. Our students come from all over the UK and Ireland and from overseas.
Union College is a constituent College of the Institute of Theology at the Queen's University of Belfast. Most of our students study for Queen's degrees as full internal students of Queen's with full access to all University facilities. Ministry courses are also available through the Presbyterian Theological Faculty Ireland. The majority of our degree students are full-time: but we have a growing number of part-time undergraduate students, and a significant number of part-time postgraduate students. Some part-time students come to classes in the evening.
Further information on Queen's facilites & services available to students at Union College
Faculty & Staff
The teaching staff comprises a Faculty of five Professors - one for each of the main theological disciplines - who are assisted by a number of part-time lecturers. There is also a Director of Ministerial Studies and a Director of Christian Training. The academic staff from Edgehill Theological College share in the teaching. Other key members of staff are the Librarian, the College Administrator, the Secretarial staff and the Custodian.
The academic staff are located on the first floor in the main building. You are welcome to call to see members of staff - though it is usually best to make an appointment if you want to be sure that someone is available to see you. Appointments can be made through the College Office.
Full details of all Departments & Staff at Union College
Union College and Queen's University, Belfast
Queen's does not provide courses in Theology directly. Union College provides teaching and supervision for theology degrees on behalf of the University under an arrangement that stretches back for over 80 years. The Queen's University Institute of Theology co-ordinates the teaching of Theology on behalf of the University.
Union College offers courses leading to the Queen's BD, BTh, and BA degrees. Full opportunities also exist for students to enrol through Union for courses leading to the range of Queen's postgraduate degrees in theology (MDiv, MTh, MPhil, and PhD).
If you are taking a Queen's degree at Union College, all the facilities of Union College are available to you and you also have all the facilities provided by Queen's at your disposal. Theology students are fully internal students of the University and applicants for full-time undergraduate courses should apply to Queen's through UCAS in the normal way. Other students should apply to Union in the first instance.
Information on all University Degree Courses & Modules are available here
Union College & Edgehill College
The Union College works in close partnership with Edgehill Theological College. Undergraduate students from the two Colleges combine for most purposes to form a single student body. Edgehill students join us for most of our classes - and Union students make their way to Edgehill for some classes. The teaching staff of Edgehill share in the teaching of the combined classes. The various student facilities at Edgehill (eg the Library) are available for use by Union students.
Union College and the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland
The Faculty members of The Union College also constitute The Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland (PTFI), which is empowered by Royal Charter to grant degrees and other qualifications in theology.
While some degrees are still conferred by the PTFI, the College focuses primarily on providing teaching for the degrees awarded by Queen's University.
However, the PTFI does still award Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates in Ministry; and has recently introduced professional courses in Ministry leading to PTFI degrees at Masters and Doctoral level.
Further information on Ministerial Training & Development