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Union

A message from the Principal

Thank-you for landing here. Let me take you to the heart of Union.

Theology is at the heart of Union. It is still our passion, after 170 years of providing theological education and equipping ministers for the Christian Church. We have great resources and facilities, but especially a range of degrees that each offer a gateway to a rich and vibrant tradition of living life before God and in society. 


Students are also at the heart of Union. Whether or not you live as a Christian, your value as a person matters to us. To maximise your personal growth and development, in your experience of studying Theology with us, we promise you a thoughtful and caring environment and an active role in shaping your own education. 

And community is at the heart of Union. We want everyone working or studying here to flourish, find their niche and make their contribution. Whether in our buildings on our thriving Belfast campus, or in the digital space thanks to our increasing global reach, students and staff interacting positively together is our goal.

To discover more about Union, please browse further, drop in or get in touch any time. For those new to Union, we look forward to getting to know you and to you getting involved. For old friends, we hope you will come and see what we are doing today and tell us how we can still serve you.

Michael McClenahan

Principal

Our Mission Statement

Union Theological College welcomes students from all backgrounds to study Christian theology in a community of faith and research-led scholarship to prepare them for life, work and service in both local and global contexts

Our Vision

To equip all our students with a theological literacy that will enable them to flourish as individuals, and contribute positively to society and culture.

To train effective minsters to lead Christ’s church in fulfilling its calling in the world.

To resource all in the Church by providing a hub for learning and research.

Graduate Attributes

In line with our Mission and Vision, our graduates from the undergraduate programme should be those who are:

  • Morally self-conscious, with an awareness of the virtues and values that promote human flourishing and positive social relationships 

  • Academically excellent, with subject-specific expertise and an appreciation of the contributions of different disciplines to theological, ethical, and cultural issues 

  • Lifelong learners, with an aptitude for innovative, self-directed, and collaborative learning

  • Intellectually flexible, with a repertoire of well-developed skills of critical thinking

  • Effective communicators, who can engage with others in order to enhance their understanding and influence others in a positive and respectful manner 

  • Culturally literate, equipped for life and work in diverse contexts and environments 

  • Digitally literate, equipped for life and work in an increasingly digital world 

  • Proactive individuals, who can work and make decisions both independently and collaboratively

  • Locally and globally engaged, with an awareness of their privileges and responsibilities and an appreciation of the concepts of vocation, enterprise, and leadership

Our People

Union is place dedicated to enriching the lives of its students. Our students receive excellent academic opportunities, inspired by leading educators with a global mindset and a collaborative approach to learning. Our dedicated staff provide high-quality support services to ensure that the college community thrives.

Our Faculty and Staff

Our Principles of Teaching and Learning

As a College, we will pursue our mission through a commitment to excellence in the provision of theological education, applying the following principles of teaching and learning.

1. We will provide all our students with high-quality, research-informed learning opportunities which encourage reflective practice and growth and have practical relevance to the contemporary world.

2. We will develop and maintain a research-active community that produces original contributions to the study of Christian Theology of relevance to the Church and wider society.

3. We will foster an inclusive learning community that supports students and enables them to flourish and develop both academically, spiritually and emotionally. 

4. We will work in engaged partnership with students, external experts, collaborative partners, and stakeholders to achieve these aims.

Module Choice

There are 25 modules on offer in our undergraduate degree, providing an excellent choice for our students.

Library

The Gamble Library at Union is the best theological library in Northern Ireland. It contains nearly 64,000 books, more than 20,000 pamphlets, and over 50 theological periodicals, plus several online resources.

Location

We are situated beside the main Queen’s campus, in the centre of the main Queen’s quarter – a five-minute walk from Botanic station and fifteen minutes from the centre of Belfast.

Faculty

We have a dedicated team of faculty and adjunct faculty, bringing a range of experiences and expertise, and providing our students with excellent academic and ministerial opportunities.

Explore

Our Courses

We offer postgraduate degrees, open to all, through the Presbyterian Theological Faculty, Ireland. We also offer a BA(Hons) Theology, awarded by St Mary’s University, Twickenham.

Find out more