International Student Information
1 Cross Street | Toowong QLD 4066 | Australia | Tel. 07 3870 8355 | info@bst.qld.edu.au
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
LOCATION OF THE COLLEGE
The Brisbane School of Theology is situated on two hectares of land in the foothills of Mt Coot-tha,
which overlooks the city of Brisbane, at 1 Cross Street, Toowong.
Adjacent to the College is the spacious Anzac Memorial Park and nearby are the new Botanical
Gardens. The University of Queensland, major shopping centres, schools, churches, recreational
facilities, and libraries are all within easy reach. A ten-minute drive will bring you to South Bank, a
well-appointed recreational resort in the heart of the city.
Brisbane, the capital city of the state Queensland in the northeast of Australia is a beautiful city in
which to live. For details of activities, currency, photos, weather, maps, events, transport art and
culture, health, nature and wildlife; go to: http//www.visit-queensland.com
ACCOMMODATION
The College also provides on campus accommodation in a variety of styles including single rooms
for single students and one and two bedroom units for couples and families. A copy of the fee
schedule for on campus accommodation is attached. On campus accommodation is subsidised
significantly and off campus accommodation will be considerably more expensive.
LIVING COSTS
These are only approximate costs based on estimates of the costs of living in Brisbane; prices are
subject to change constantly.
1 person per
Family of 4 per
Living Costs
month
month
$AU
$AU
400
1000
Gas/Elec
80
120
Personal Items
80
100
Public Transport
80
140
Items for study
50
50
690
1,410
8250
16,920
Food
Per month
Projected over 1 year
MEDICAL COSTS
All overseas students are required to obtain Health Cover as a condition of their student visa. The
current cost of cover with Medibank Private on a yearly basis is $342 (Single) and $684 (Family).
EDUCATION AND EDUCATION COSTS
Any school-aged dependents that come to Australia will be required to pay full fees if they are
enrolled in either a government or non-government school. The fee for government primary
schools is $6,400 per year and the fee for government Secondary schools Years 8 to 10 is
$6,800, and for Years 11 & 12 it is $8,000. The fee for 1 year at a Government Pre-School is
$3,200. Fees for independent or private schools vary considerably and you will need to approach
the school to determine the level of the school fees.
Government schools available within a short distance of the college campus are Toowong State
School (government school for children from grades 1 – 7, aged 6 - 13) and Toowong College
(government school for children from grades 8 – 12, aged 13/14 - 17/18.
International Student Information
1 Cross Street | Toowong QLD 4066 | Australia | Tel. 07 3870 8355 | info@bst.qld.edu.au
STUDENT HANDBOOK
During the first day of Orientation all students are given a copy of the Student Handbook. This
handbook includes information on the following matters
 Timetables & College Calendar
 Fee Schedule
 Information about faculty and staff of the college, the student organisation & general policy
information
 Information regarding the Academic, Non-Academic & Practical Aspects of the college program
 Financial policies and information
 Emergency Procedures & Fire Drills, including Maps
 Work Place Health & Safety Expectation
 A Guide to preparing and presenting assessment
BST FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT
CLASSROOMS
The College maintains adequate and comfortable facilities, including 3 lecture rooms, a smaller
seminar room and a tutorial room. All class rooms are equipped with modern desks and
comfortable chairs and have access to overhead projectors, interactive whiteboards, television,
audio and video equipment.
LIBRARY
The Library contains over 25,000 catalogued items including scholarly journals and audio-visual
materials. A generous annual library budget ensures ongoing growth.
The reference collection including some commentary material may not be borrowed, although
second copies of commentaries are available in the general collection. The frozen collection
includes high demand books set aside by lecturers for current courses, they may not be borrowed.
Computer resources include the library online catalogue, which includes books, journal titles;
journal articles and video tapes. Instructions for the library catalogue are located beside the
computers. CD-Rom resources are available on the catalogue computer nearest to the library
workroom. The computer in the journals room may also be used for CD-Rom tools, which are
located beside it. CD-Rom resources include ATLA Religion Index One, Early Church Fathers,
Worldbook Encyclopedia, Mission and Evangelism Resources and many more. Instruction on the
use of the computers is given by the Librarian during orientation and further help may be obtained
at any time during the Librarian’s hours, which are listed on the workroom door.
A Library guide is included in the student handbook and library orientation forms part of the
orientation program. In addition a full-time librarian is employed to assist students.
OTHER FACILITIES
Photocopier
The college provides a photocopier for student use. A photocopier credit can be purchased from
the front office during office hours. The photocopier room is located adjacent to the library.
Computers
Student provided computers are also available in the library and in the computer room. Microsoft
Word is available on all computers.
International Student Information
1 Cross Street | Toowong QLD 4066 | Australia | Tel. 07 3870 8355 | info@bst.qld.edu.au
Internet access is available on two of the computers in the Computer room and available
wirelessly. To wireless password can be obtained from the office or from other students. To obtain
internet access, students are required to obtain an Internet access account. Student council
provides this facility.
Recreation Facilities
A common room, including a refrigerator, microwave, comfortable seating is also provided for
students’ use. In addition a table tennis table, tennis court, footballs etc are also provided for
student use. The College program and facilities cater for plenty of opportunity for informal
activities ranging from prayer meetings to tennis.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
The registrar is available to assist students with all matters in relation to enrolment in BST’s
courses. If you have any concerns or questions regarding orientation, academic matters, further
study, living and studying in Australia or any other matters please see the registrar in the office.
If you have difficulties with any particular subject, the lecturer in that subject will be only too
happy to assist you. In addition the college tutor is available to assist you in your transition to
study in Australia.
COURSES AT BST
Course Structure
In general, the curriculum is arranged so that the first year provides a basic introduction to the
main areas of Christian teaching upon which later years build. The core subjects and a number of
optional subjects are offered each year at introductory and advanced levels, although options are
usually restricted in first year to ensure that necessary basic subjects are covered at the
beginning of studies. In addition, there are occasional series of lectures by visitors, which form an
integral part of the college program although they may not be listed as part of a specific subject
or course. Furthermore, the college camp, held in March, and is considered part of the college's
program. The annual Mission Exposure week, conducted during second semester is also a
requirement for all full-time students. All full-time students are expected to attend all college
activities, which include MAP (Ministry Awareness Program), chapel, fellowship group and work
pracs.
Teaching Methods
The required contact hours per subject is 3 hours a week. Generally lectures will be 3 consecutive
50-minute sessions with a 5 – 15 minute break between sessions. The teaching methods used will
vary, but will include formal lecture sessions, group discussions, question & answer sessions,
student presented seminars, tutorials, class room tests, use of audio/visual equipment, visiting
speakers where relevant.
Assessment Methods
Subjects are usually assessed by a combination of written examination, written assignments,
and/or a series of class tests or by some combination of these at the discretion of the lecturer
concerned. All compulsory subjects and biblical studies subjects will involve written assignments
and examinations. Some elective subjects will be assessed with assignments only, but this is at
the discretion of each individual lecturer. Students are advised early in a course about the nature
of the assessment required. They are encouraged to discuss any difficulties they may have with
the lecturer concerned.
International Student Information
1 Cross Street | Toowong QLD 4066 | Australia | Tel. 07 3870 8355 | info@bst.qld.edu.au
Practical ministry
Students gain practical ministry experience through Field Education involving supervised ministry
skill development, an annual one-week mission in Australia or overseas, and through courses
which include strong practical components, such as preaching, evangelism and missions.
Assistance with Study
Each semester an Essay Writing Seminar and an Examination Preparation Seminar are held. In
addition the college provides a tutor for assistance with research, assignment writing and study
methods.
The Student Handbook which is given to each student during orientation, also includes additional
information on all academic aspects of the college program and a guide to preparing and
presenting written work is located the back of the Handbook. Copies of previous years
examination papers are available in the library, together with sample assignments and
examination papers for student reference
Attendance
Students on an overseas student visa, must be enrolled on a full-time basis. Full-time status is
where a student is enrolled for 4 subjects a semester.
The Australian College of Theology (the provider with which we are affiliated) and BST require that
students attend a 100% of lectures. Overseas students are required to attend a minimum of 90%
of lectures to satisfy visa requirements. The college is required to notify immigration if this
requirement has not been met by the student. Each semester, the college must confirm that the
student’s attendance has been satisfactory. Therefore a record of attendance is kept in order to
fulfil the college's moral and legal responsibilities.
Lecture Times
Lectures are held during the day Tuesday through Friday and on Monday through to Thursday
evenings. Evening lectures are part of the normal BST program but are held in the evening to
enable part-time students to attend.