Goals:

1. To offer instruction in the specialization in Dogmatic or Systematic Theology, with a particular emphasis to investigate the problems of inculturation.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):

Since the Academic Year of 2025-26, the Institute adopts European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and uses ECTS credits to express the volume of learning of students. 1 ECTS credit corresponds to at least 25 hours of work, which includes lectures. This helps professors and students to objectively determine how much learning time each course needs.

Structure:

The programme is equivalent to a Licentiate Degree course, requiring two years of full-time study or four years of part-time study. To complete the programme, students should obtain a total of 120 ECTS through one of the following pathways:

1. Path 1: 5 Obligatory Courses (15 ECTS credits), 2 Common Courses (6 ECTS credits), 5 Propi-dogmatic Courses (15 ECTS credits), 4 Seminars (24 ECTS credits), 1 Licentiate Thesis (30 ECTS credits) and 1 Final Exam (30 ECTS credits)
2. Path 2: 5 Obligatory Courses (15 ECTS credits), 2 Common Courses (6 ECTS credits), 7 Propi-dogmatic Courses (21 ECTS credits), 3 Seminars (18 ECTS credits), 1 Licentiate Thesis (30 ECTS credits) and 1 Final Exam (30 ECTS credits)
3. For the detailed curriculum, please click here.

Language Requirements:

Students should fulfil the following language requirements before the Final Exam:

1. Latin (II) and Greek (I)
2. English and a reading knowledge of one other modern language (excluding Chinese): Italian, French, German or Spanish

Academic Year and Venue:

1. The academic year runs from the beginning of September until the end of May. The semester break is from Christmas to mid-January.
2. Class periods are of 50 minutes’ duration. 28 class periods are equivalent to 3 ECTS credits.
3. 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 days.
4. Venue: Holy Spirit Institute of Theology, 6 Welfare Road, Wong Chuk Hang.

Entrance Requirements:

1. Admission to the STL programme is open to all, priests, lay or religious, who are marked by their moral conduct and who have the required qualifications. Any exception to this norm will be determined by the Admissions Committee set up by the Director of the Institute of Theology.
2. The required qualifications are as follows:
   
   1. All applicants must have obtained the Baccalaureate in Theology (at least cum laude).
   2. A working knowledge of Chinese and English is required as teaching and assignments are done through the medium of these two languages.
      
   3. Applicants without a Baccalaureate in Theology may be considered for admission provided that they have completed 6 years of philosophy and theology studies at a seminary or other institutions approved by the local bishop, attained an average grade of 80/100, and obtained a grade of at least 80/100 in the admission examination. They must also possess a basic knowledge of Latin and Biblical Greek.

Licentiate Thesis:

1. Students must write an English thesis of 100,000 to 180,000 characters (excluding bibliography) on a theological topic under the guidance of a professor, following the Institute's thesis format.
2. If the thesis involves substantial Chinese materials, it may be written in Chinese (approximately 40,000 to 80,000 words, excluding bibliography), with an English synopsis equivalent to approximately one-third of the thesis length.
3. The thesis must be submitted three months before the Final Exam which is usually held in June.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Students must complete all required courses either through Path 1 or Path 2, and successfully obtain a minimum overall average of 60 out of 100.
2. Complete the Licentiate Thesis and obtain a score of at least 60 out of 100;
3. Undertake the Final Exam and obtain a score of at least 60 out of 100;
4. Fulfil all language requirements;
5. Pay all fees required by the Institute and the Pontifical Gregorian University (including tuition and diploma fees).

Tuition Fees (2026-27):

Per Year:               HK$19,500
Per ECTS Credit:  HK$325

Timetable: For the date and timetable of class, please refer to the links in the right column.

Enrolment Procedures:

Applicants should first download the application and recommendation forms from the link in the right column. After filling in the forms, please send them together with copies of all supporting documents to:

    Holy Spirit Institute of Theology
    6 Welfare Road
    Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen
    Hong Kong
    Attn: College Secretariat

(Please indicate the programme you are applying for on the envelope and affix sufficient postage.)

For enquiries: (852) 2553 0265 (Ms CHUI)
            email: college@hsscol.org.hk