University profile
Strong research in theology, lively in dialogue.
Missionary Sciences
The KHKT emerged from the Steyl Missionaries religious college and has taken over its main areas of study “Cultural, Religious and Missionary Studies as well as Ethnology.” Our aim is to teach students how they can enter into a profitable dialogue with people from different cultures and religions.
community
KHKT attaches great importance to students and employees feeling accepted and comfortable. Personal support and close support for students, the university community, and personal and respectful interaction are part of the culture at KHKT.
dialogue
The KHKT sees itself as a place where theology is in exchange with society, culture and science. Her aim is to train theologians who assume responsibility in the church and society and to help shape social discourse. The dialogue that is open to others is essential in order to find concrete solutions to the challenges of our time together and to anchor the Christian faith in everyday life.
Methodology
The KHKT represents a theology that is both confessional and scientific. We see faith in God as an integral part of our research and teaching. Our approach is based on the conviction that theological research can benefit from a believer's perspective without neglecting scientific methods and critical thinking. This synthesis enables us to look at theological topics holistically, while meeting both the tradition of faith and the requirements of academic research.
Key data
Facts and figures
Graphic presentation of the nationality and distribution of study programs of our students. They show the international diversity of the university and the most popular courses of study.
origination
Our story
The Cologne University of Catholic Theology looks back on an eventful history. In 1913, the St. Augustin Mission House was founded by the Order “Society of the Divine Word” (also known as the “Steyler Missionaries”), which initially served as a recreation home and residence.
In the 1920s, the institution developed into a house of study with philosophical and theological offerings under the name “Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule SVD St. Augustin (PTH)”. As early as 1935, the first priests were ordained, who had completed their entire education here. This development was stopped abruptly in 1941 when the National Socialist government abolished the seminary and confiscated the site. After the Second World War, however, teaching was resumed and St. Augustin became the largest branch of Steyl missionaries in the German-speaking region.
Since 1965, the university has grown steadily academically, as it was officially recognized by the church and the state. Another important step in the development of the university was the temporary partnership with the Pontificio Ateneo Sant'Anselmo in Rome. This enabled her to have her academic degrees recognized internationally and to strengthen her own profile as a theological training institution. In 1999, the PTH was elevated to ecclesiastical theological faculty with doctoral rights.
Development
From PTH to CHCT
In 2015, the Steyl missionaries decided to give up sponsorship of the Philosophical-Theological College SVD St. Augustin. This step was based on internal decisions made by the Order to focus more on other areas of activity in the future. On February 1, 2020, the “Foundation for the Promotion of Education, Science and Research in the Archdiocese of Cologne” took over the sponsorship. The PTH was thus renamed “Cologne University of Catholic Theology (KHKT) — St. Augustin” through the signing of a takeover agreement. With the move to Cologne-Lindenthal in April 2021, the addition “St. Augustin” has been omitted. To date, over 1,000 priests and hundreds of lay people have received scientific training at the KHKT.
