SOCS is a ministry of Robert Menzies College and was established in 1983 by the Rt Rev Dr Paul Barnett, recently retired Anglican Bishop of North Sydney. We provide quality introductory Biblical and theological studies through evening lectures, distance education and intensive modules. More than fifteen hundred students have studied with us.
While the majority of our students choose to study at diploma and advanced diploma level, in recent years an increasing number of candidates has enrolled at degree level. At any one time we have distance students from many parts of Australia as well as some living overseas.
Our students are as diverse as the Christian community itself. Gender, socio-economic, geographical, and vocational differences are unimportant. As for prior educational experience, some students are graduates of other disciplines, others haven’t studied for years.
The reasons why people study also vary. Some do so with specific ministries in mind, others for interest. Most study with the aim of achieving an academic award. However enrolments are also welcome from people wishing to ‘listen in’ or receive the distance material and benefit in that way.
