Goals:

1. The B.R.S. course in the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences offers a systematic treatment of Catholic doctrine that draws from the Church’s authentic interpretation of Revelation offered in its living Magisterium. It also treats of the necessary presuppositions of theology, including both the philosophical and the complementary social scientific ones, thereby promoting research on the responses to the questions of humankind from a theological perspective.
2. This course of studies aims to promote the religious formation of the laity and of those in consecrated life in order that they might better participate in the task of evangelization of the secular world in which they live. It therefore helps to prepare candidates for the many diverse lay ministries and services to the Church, including teachers of religion for all school levels below the university level.

Academic Year:

1. The academic year is divided into three terms. The first term lasts from September until November, the second from December to March and the third from April to June.
2. Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7:15 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and on Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. If needed, classes may also be arranged on other dates.
3. Each class period is of 50 minutes duration. 24 class periods are equivalent to 3 ECTS credits.

Length of Study:

1. The programme is a degree course, which can be completed within 4 years for full-time students. However, it may be extended up to a maximum of 6 years (part-time students).
2. The Institute follows the credit system. When the students have acquired sufficient credits, they may sit for the Bachelor in Religious Sciences Degree Examination.
3. For serious reasons, students, having completed the first and second years, may apply to take a longer period to finish the rest of the programme.

Entrance Requirements:

1. Admission to the B.R.S. programme is open to all Catholics, lay or religious, who are marked by their moral conduct and who have the required qualifications; any exception to this norm will be made by the Admissions Committee set up by the Director of HIRS.
2. The required qualifications are the following:
   
   1. All applicants must have obtained the qualifications for entry into a university in Hong Kong; and
      
   2. A working knowledge of Chinese and English is required as teaching and assignments are done through the medium of these two languages.
      
3. Only students who enroll for the whole programme and sit for the final degree examinations are accepted. Audit students are not accepted.

(Remark: It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead.)