State Support for "Bachelors of Christianity"

For the first time since the University of Copenhagen was established in 1479 (with Theology as one of its subjects), it is now to offer a 4-year Bachelor of Christianity, Culture and Communication degree with financial support from the state for all enrolled students.

Behind the initiative are The Danish Diaconal Foundation in Copenhagen, The Diaconal College in Aarhus and the Scandinavian Academy for Leadership and Theology in collaboration with two trade schools. Referring to the 1849 constitution that guaranteed the church’s position in the state, General Secretary of The Danish Diaconal Foundation, Hanne Thomsen, says, "If we want to remain a Christian society, we must train people who know something about Christianity and can communicate it. The idea is that graduates will work in the parishes as assistants to support local church work, especially among young people. Or they can work in the free churches."

The ultimate aim is to create up to 1,000 jobs in the sector with an intake of 50 a year. The training will be non-confessional and includes a fair slice of Theology, which may lead graduates to move on to the Masters level at university. There is some concern at present over the limited area in which graduates can work, but there is scope for other areas in the church to benefit from an employee with university training. One of the course’s strengths is that the teaching institutions are already geared to the training - with courses in social sciences and practical Christianity and long in work-experience placements.

By: Edward Broadbridge

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