18/03/2026
‘The Coert Cohort’ - three brothers share their experiences of studying at UTC:
It’s not often that the College welcomes three siblings across three different cohorts in the same academic year. But in Autumn 2025, UTC had the pleasure of doing just that as we welcomed the three Coert brothers – Calum, Caleb and Joel – to study as residential students in Belfast.
Each of the brothers is at a different stage in their academic studies, making their shared presence at the College a unique and encouraging example of commitment to theological study.
Having graduated from the BA (Hons) Theology programme in the summer, Calum returned to the College to begin his ordained ministry training as a postgraduate student on the MDiv programme. Reflecting on his undergraduate experience, Calum speaks warmly of the way his BA studies prepared him for postgraduate theological education:
“Studying theology at undergraduate level has been a formative foundation for my continued journey toward pastoral ministry. My undergraduate studies provided me with a broad and disciplined introduction to theology, and to understand how the Christian tradition has wrestled with matters of faith, doctrine, and practice down through the centuries. This foundation has naturally led me to pursue a postgraduate Masters of Divinity. Through the MDiv, I hope to deepen my biblical and theological understanding, while also developing the pastoral skills necessary to humbly serve our denomination with integrity, wisdom and compassion.”
We are always encouraged when students decide to return to UTC for further study, and how the academic grounding and theological reflection developed during the undergraduate programme can spark a desire to go further with the subject.
Calum’s brother Caleb is also already well established in the UTC community, now in his third year of study on the BA (Hons) Theology programme. For Caleb, a long-standing interest in theology and a desire to better understand the Christian faith made applying to UTC a logical choice: “I’ve always been interested in theology and understanding more of the Christian faith. UTC was the best place for me to take this interest further into academic study.” When asked what he has enjoyed most about his time at the College, Caleb points to the strong sense of community inherent to UTC. “My favourite thing about here is the community. As I approach the end of the BA, it’s undeniable that there really is a tight-knit community among the students and Faculty.” For Caleb, that sense of community has played an important role in supporting his learning and personal growth during his time as an undergraduate student. “The community here has helped me in a number of ways. As students, it’s always great to be able to continue the conversations after classes and share anything you’ve been finding difficult, especially with students in the year groups above you who have experienced the same thing. The relationship between students and Faculty members has also really enhanced the learning experience, as I always feel comfortable asking questions and checking if I’m on the right track, whether that’s during class time or over a coffee.”
Joel, the youngest of the three brothers studying at UTC, also decided to pursue theology because of his long-standing interest in the subject and his desire to engage in something he would be excited to dedicate himself to three years’ worth of study. “Theology has always interested me. When it came to applying for different courses and universities, I wanted to ensure that whatever I studied I would enjoy, and that it would prepare me for life after graduation.”
Since beginning the BA in September 2025, Joel has particularly appreciated the way the modules encourage thoughtful engagement with complex questions. He notes, “Each of the modules, in differing ways, allows us to think critically about the world and people around us, which both challenges and strengthens our own viewpoints.”
Like Caleb, Joel highlights the UTC community as a defining part of his experience at UTC. “It’s one of the things I have appreciated most about this year,” he reflects, “whether at coffee time or over small chats in the dining room or common area, it’s been so easy to meet and engage with people who are either continuing further study or are in the same programme; I’ve found it really valuable to learn from their experiences.”
Having three brothers studying at different stages in their theological education is undoubtedly somewhat of a novelty, but their involvement wonderfully reflects what we seek to cultivate at UTC: a vibrant learning community where students are equipped intellectually, spiritually and pastorally by a shared commitment to theological formation.
We look forward to seeing how Calum, Caleb and Joel continue to grow in their studies as their presence in UTC acts as a reminder that the pursuit of theological understanding flourishes best within a supportive and intentional community.
If you would like to find out more about studying theology at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, contact us at [email protected].
