‘Sad day’ as Queen’s University ends relationship with Presbyterian college

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland was today notified by QUB of the university Senate’s decision to stop awarding degrees in the subject of theology and end its relationship with the four theological colleges that make up its Institute of Theology, which includes Union Theological College.

Reacting to the QUB Senate’s decision, Rev Trevor Gribben, Clerk of the General Assembly and General Secretary of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, which has responsibility for Union Theological College said: “After a long and mutually beneficial academic relationship that has lasted for nearly a century, we are naturally disappointed and deeply regret today’s decision by the Senate of Queen’s University Belfast.

“We recognise that the university authorities have the right to make their own decisions about their Institute of Theology, which is currently made up of four different local theological colleges. Queen’s has now concluded that the Institute is no longer viable with just one of those colleges, Union Theological College, teaching undergraduate degrees. Nevertheless, we regret that other options were not more fully explored and a different solution found.

“It is important that we acknowledge that this has been a difficult and unsettling period for both institutions – especially in the context of last summer’s intense reporting and speculation around the relationship between Queen’s and Union College. It was during this time that the senior leadership at Queen’s first informed their counterparts at Union College that, “the university is taking active steps to review the nature of the relationship with Union Theological College.” This was formalised several weeks later and the Senate announced the results of that review today.”

Rev Gribben continued: “Union continues to maintain the high academic standards for which it is known, and remains committed to active engagement in teaching and research that extends our theological understanding of important issues in contemporary life. This also includes exploring the hard questions that relate to religious faith and belief.

“Along with QUB, Union College is also committed to ensure the very best education provision for existing Queen’s undergraduate students as they complete the remainder of their theological studies. The college will be working constructively with Queen’s to achieve this.

“After such a long and fruitful relationship this is indeed a sad day. It is our hope and prayer, however, that these long-established institutions, which are literally side-by-side, will continue to prosper, working to further understanding as communities of learning and attracting students from home and overseas to study here.”

Confirming that the university will no longer award degrees in the subject of theology after current students complete their studies, a spokesperson for QUB said: “Queen’s University recently conducted a review of the Institute of Theology’s agreements and relationships with a particular focus on the undergraduate teaching and curriculum being delivered by Union Theological College (UTC).

“After considering the findings of the review, combined with the previous review conducted in 2016, the university outlined concerns regarding the breadth and diversity of the teaching and curriculum being delivered and suspended undergraduate entry for 2019-20.

“Queen’s University has now considered the longer-term implications of the review and Senate has approved a recommendation from Academic Council regarding the Institute of Theology’s agreements and relationships going forward.

“As a result, the university will no longer award degrees in the subject of theology following completion of current students. The BA Theology, BD, Graduate Diploma in Theology and MRes in Theology will be withdrawn with no further intake of students.

“Therefore, the current arrangement with the four Theological Colleges will run until the end of its current term (31 August 2019) and will not be renewed.

“A temporary Memorandum of Understanding will be developed, which will enable the necessary support to allow currently enrolled students to complete their programmes within a reasonable time.

“The university is committed to ensuring that its educational standards are met for existing students for the remainder of their studies and will be working constructively with UTC to achieve this.”