Wesley Institute

About Us

About Us

About Us

Brief History

1983

Founding of Institute by Dr. David Johnston. Part of CLC Sydney with the campus located at Arncliffe and known as the International Institute for Creative Ministries.

1989

The Institute came under the auspices of Wesley Mission, carrying on the tradition of the Mission's Evangelists' Training Institute which began in 1889. The Institute relocated to the Wesley Centre in Pitt Street and a series of name changes culminated in the current name, Wesley Institute (WI).

1992

Government recognition of the WI Advanced Diplomas, Diplomas in Ministry and the Creative Arts and the Graduate Diploma in Christian Counselling. Accreditation brought international recognition, international students and Austudy/Abstudy approval.

1994

The big move to the current Drummoyne campus took place in October.

1996

Becoming part of the Sydney College of Divinity enabled us to offer a fully accredited Bachelor of Theology as well as widening our resource base to include all the libraries of the associated colleges of the SCD. The Grassy Knoll was constructed in the mid-year break. Student housing was consolidated at Leichhardt.

1997

The Music Studios were completed and the Music Department moved from where the Library is into the space it currently occupies in B Building. (The Library moved from the Choir Room to A Building and Drama moved to D Building.)

1998

The main lecture theatre (D101) opened in February. The Student Centre opened in June and the creation of the drama theatre was completed during Second Semester Project Week.

1999

The big news was the accreditation of our first Masters course - a Master of Arts in Christian Counselling. We offer this in cooperation with Morling College. Wesley Institute also moved from associate to full membership of the SCD.

2000

As a full member of the SCD, Wesley Institute commenced offering studies in the Master of Theology and BTh (Hons).

2001

Expansion of our academic profile, with the addition of several new postgraduate courses, and our first doctorates, the SCD PhD and ThD.

2002

Wesley Institute commenced offering the State's first Bachelor of Theology in the Korean Language. The Institute was also accepted as an affiliate of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities in the United States.

2003

Two new programs were approved and commenced this year: Graduate Diplomas of Education for primary and secondary teaching, and a Studies Abroad program for American students.

2004

Student body grew by 25% with increased profile internationally.

2005

Incorporation as Wesley Institute. New board and governance structures. FEE-HELP made available to students. Wesley Institute continued to grow in student numbers and commenced the Graduate Diploma of Education with the Master of Music in development.

2006

Accreditation of Master of Music. Opened a second campus in Pitt Street for delivery of theology courses in Korean. Withdrew from membership of the Sydney College of Divinity and applied for accreditation of Wesley Institute’s own theology degrees.

2007

Accreditation of a Master of Theology, Master of Theological Studies, Graduate Diploma of Theological Studies, Bachelor of Theology (Honours), Bachelor of Theology, Associate Degree of Theology. Additionally, Wesley Institute was also accredited to deliver three courses in the Korean language: the Master of Theology, Bachelor of Theology and Associate Degree of Theology. Accreditation of a Bachelor of Dramatic Art and Diploma of Dramatic Art.

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