Spiritual Qualifications:
Applicants must demonstrate Christian maturity and a sense of God’s direction in their lives. Just as there are academic qualifications that must be met prior to studies at the diploma or degree level, so also there are spiritual qualifications that must be met prior to training for ministry. Through the various references and the interview, the Admissions Committee looks to see if the applicant’s life is moving in the direction of those qualities articulated in the TCCA Objectives.

Academic Qualifications:
As an accredited post-secondary educational institution, TCCA is required to have entry requirements which are comparable to university standards in the same country. As is the case with UNZA, admission is by a selection process, and possession of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an applicant’s acceptance into the college. As a minimum, TCCA requires the following G.C.E. “O” level grades (beginning 2007):

• For the Diploma of Theology Programme: five “O” levels, one of which must be English Language at least at credit (Grades 5 or 6), with an additional four subjects at Pass (Grades 7 or 8) or better. The total number of points for the five best subjects should not exceed 32.

• For the Bachelor of Theology Programme: five “O” levels, one of which must be English Language at least at merit (Grades 3 or 4), with an additional four subjects at credit (Grades 5 or 6) or better. The total number of points for the five best subjects should not exceed 24.

Mature entry:
The College recognises that there are some people who lack the academic entry requirements, but who have proven ability and experience in Christian ministry, and who would benefit from one of TCCA’s programmes. Such applicants, who are at least 30 years of age, may apply on the basis of their maturity. However, mature admission is limited to only 10% of the total degree programme enrolment in the College. Preference will be given to those applicants who have continued with some recognised form of studies since leaving secondary school.

Transfer policy:
Applicants transferring from other institutions may be granted credit for work done according to the following guidelines:

• In the case of transfer from an acceptable accredited post-secondary institution, full credit is granted for courses completed that fall within TCCA’s curriculum. Such credit can only be granted at the level at which the work was done. Exemptions from TCCA courses may be given where comparable courses have already been taken.

• In the case of applicants from a non-accredited post-secondary institution, we do not, as a rule, grant advanced standing. In the situation where a particular institution is well-established, has post- secondary level entry requirements and has teaching staff with masters degrees, two-thirds credit may be given for course work already completed.

• In all other cases, no advanced standing will be granted, except in the rare case when an applicant makes a special appeal demonstrating that the academic calibre of work he or she has done is at least as high as TCCA’s level; that the qualifications of the teaching staff and the courses offered are commensurate with ACTEA standards; and that the studies completed would contribute towards meeting TCCA’s Objectives.

The highest advanced standing any applicant may receive is 90 credit hours in the B.Th. programme, or 45 credit hours in the Dip.Th. programme. In all cases, the granting of advanced standing will be determined by the Academic Dean upon receiving an official transcript. It should also be noted that transfer between institutions is always complicated due to differences in curricula. Consequently, transfer students should be prepared for the possibility of having to do extra work to compensate.

Dip.Th. students who wish to transfer to the B.Th. programme must first upgrade their “O” levels in order to meet the higher entry qualifications (no more than two “O” level subjects may be resat in one year). In addition, candidates for transfer must have a record of strong performance in the diploma programme (normally with at least a 65 GPA at the Diploma level). Where a transfer is approved, two-thirds of the credit hours earned at the diploma level will be applied towards the degree. Thus, those wanting to do the degree programme, but who lack the 4 credits + 1 merit required (see above), are strongly advised to upgrade their “O” levels before coming to the College, rather than entering the diploma programme and then transferring in the midst of their course of study.

Foreign Applicants
Students from outside Zambia must also apply for a study permit from the Zambia Immigration Department before coming to Zambia. Study permits are also required for spouses of foreign students, even though they may not be enrolled in an academic programme.