Admissions & Academic Office
Everything a prospective seminarian or vocation director needs — application procedures, requirements, and the full programme of studies affiliated with the Pontifical Urban University, Rome.
Apply to STAMS
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary Admissions
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary welcomes men who feel called by God to the Roman Catholic priesthood and who are recommended by their Bishop or Religious Superior. Admission is open to candidates from the five dioceses of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bamenda, from other dioceses within and outside Cameroon, and from Religious Institutes.
The admissions process is conducted in collaboration with the candidate's home diocese and involves both the Seminary's Dean of Students and the relevant Vocation Director. All applications must be received by 31 August for the formation year beginning in September.
Admission Process — Step by Step
Contact the Vocation Director of your home diocese. He will guide you through the initial discernment process and submit your candidacy to the Bishop for approval.
Your Bishop or Religious Superior must formally sponsor your application to STAMS. A letter of recommendation from your Bishop is a required document.
Gather all required documents (see checklist). Ensure that all certificates are certified copies and that letters of reference are sealed and signed.
Send the complete application package to the Dean of Students at STAMS by post or by hand delivery to the Seminary Office, Bambui, Bamenda. Deadline: 31 August.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the Seminary for an interview with the Formation Team and, where required, a psychological assessment to evaluate readiness for seminary life.
Successful candidates receive a formal letter of admission from the Rector. They are expected to report to the Seminary in September with all required fees and materials.
Admission Requirements
📋 Required Documents
- Formal letter of recommendation from your Bishop or Religious Superior
- Completed STAMS Application Form (available from the Dean's Office)
- Certified copy of Baptismal Certificate
- Certified copy of Confirmation Certificate
- Certified copy of Secondary School Leaving Certificate (minimum)
- Official academic transcripts from all previous institutions
- Medical certificate of good health from a licensed physician
- Three sealed letters of reference — at least two from priests who know you well
- Two recent passport-size photographs
- Certificate of freedom from previous marriage or serious impediment
- Birth certificate (civil)
- For Religious: letter of permission from your Provincial Superior
📩 Send an Admission Enquiry
Complete this form to express your interest in applying to STAMS. The Dean's Office will contact you with further information. This form does not replace the formal application process.
📅 Key Dates
- Application deadline: 31 August
- Interviews: August – early September
- Admission letters: Mid-September
- Formation year begins: Late September
🌍 Who May Apply
- Men aged 18–35 (typically)
- Recommended by their Bishop
- Baptised and confirmed Catholics
- Free from marriage or serious impediment
- In good physical and mental health
- From any diocese or Religious Institute
💰 Fees & Support
Seminary fees are typically sponsored by the candidate's home diocese. Individual seminarians in financial need may apply to the Seminarian Support Fund.
Seminarian Support Fund →📞 Dean's Office
Dean of Students
St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary
P.O. Box 56, Bambui, Bamenda
Cameroon
📱 +237 681 058 989
✉ Bambuiseminary@yahoo.co.uk
✉ charlesberinyuy@yahoo.co.uk
Partnering for Vocations
For Vocation Directors
Vocation Directors play a vital role in the life of St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary. As the primary point of contact between the candidate and the Diocese, the Vocation Director accompanies the prospective seminarian through discernment, prepares his application, and remains a trusted partner throughout his years of formation.
STAMS values its relationship with Vocation Directors and is committed to open communication, transparency in the formation process, and collaboration for the good of each candidate.
The Vocation Director's Role
What to Expect from STAMS
The Formation Team prepares an annual written report on each seminarian's progress in the four dimensions, shared with the Bishop and Vocation Director.
The Rector and Dean of Students are available to vocation directors for confidential consultation at any time regarding a candidate's formation journey.
Bishops and their representatives are invited to annual formation review meetings at STAMS — an opportunity for direct dialogue with the formation team about each seminarian.
If a seminarian faces serious formation concerns, the Rector will consult the relevant Bishop and Vocation Director before any decision is taken about continuation or dismissal.
Before ordination to the diaconate and priesthood, the Formation Team issues a formal recommendation to the Bishop attesting to the candidate's readiness in all four dimensions.
📞 Contact the Dean
For vocation directors wishing to discuss a candidate or submit an application:
Rector / Dean
Very Rev. Fr. Charles S. Berinyuy
📱 +237 681 058 989
✉ charlesberinyuy@yahoo.co.uk
📅 Application Timeline
All application dossiers must be submitted by 31 August for the formation year commencing in September. Early submission is strongly encouraged.
📋 Vocation Director Checklist
- Conduct initial vocations interview
- Obtain Bishop's sponsorship letter
- Assemble candidate's documents
- Submit complete dossier to STAMS
- Accompany candidate to interview (optional)
- Remain in contact during formation
- Attend annual formation review
Academic Programme
Programme of Studies
The Programme of Studies at St. Thomas Aquinas Major Seminary covers two major phases: a two-year Philosophy phase (the Discipleship Stage) and a four-year Theology phase (the Configuration Stage). Both phases are affiliated with the Pontifical Urban University, Rome, and graduates receive their certificates from the Urban University.
| Subject | Year | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Philosophy | P1 | 3 |
| Logic & Critical Thinking | P1 | 3 |
| History of Ancient Philosophy | P1–P2 | 6 |
| History of Medieval Philosophy | P1 | 3 |
| History of Modern Philosophy | P2 | 3 |
| Metaphysics (General & Special) | P2 | 6 |
| Philosophical Anthropology | P2 | 3 |
| Philosophy of God (Natural Theology) | P2 | 3 |
| Ethics (General & Special) | P1–P2 | 6 |
| Epistemology | P2 | 3 |
| Introduction to Sacred Scripture | P1 | 3 |
| Introduction to Theology | P2 | 3 |
| Church History (General Survey) | P2 | 3 |
| Ecclesiastical Latin I & II | P1–P2 | 6 |
| English / French Communication | P1–P2 | 4 |
| Psychology | P1 | 3 |
| Sociology | P2 | 3 |
| Subject | Year(s) | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fundamental Theology | T1 | 6 |
| Sacred Scripture: Old Testament I & II | T1–T2 | 8 |
| Sacred Scripture: New Testament I, II & III | T1–T3 | 9 |
| Theology of God — The Holy Trinity | T2 | 6 |
| Christology | T2 | 6 |
| Ecclesiology | T3 | 6 |
| Eschatology | T4 | 4 |
| Sacramentology I (Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist) | T3 | 6 |
| Sacramentology II (Penance, Anointing, Orders, Marriage) | T3–T4 | 8 |
| Fundamental Moral Theology | T1 | 6 |
| Special Moral Theology I & II | T2–T3 | 8 |
| Bioethics & Medical Ethics | T4 | 3 |
| Social Ethics (Catholic Social Teaching) | T3 | 3 |
| Patristics I & II | T1–T2 | 6 |
| Church History I, II & III | T1–T3 | 9 |
| Liturgy I (History & Theology) & II | T1–T2 | 6 |
| Canon Law I, II & III | T2–T4 | 9 |
| Spirituality | T3 | 3 |
| Homiletics | T3 | 3 |
| Pastoral Theology I & II | T3–T4 | 6 |
| African Theology & Inculturation | T3 | 3 |
| Missiology | T4 | 3 |
| Ecumenism & Interreligious Dialogue | T4 | 3 |
| Biblical Greek | T1–T2 | 4 |
| Thesis / Synthesis Paper | T4 | 6 |
| Comprehensive Oral Examination (Ad Lauream) | T4 | — |
The Diaconal Year is a year of pastoral placement and integrated formation, culminating in ordination to the diaconate and — upon the Bishop's decision — ordination to the priesthood. Evaluation is pastoral and formational rather than purely academic.
📊 Programme Summary
- Phase 1 (Philosophy): 2 years
- Phase 2 (Theology): 4 years
- Phase 3 (Diaconal): 1 year
- Total duration: 7 years
- Degree from: Pontifical Urban University, Rome
- Teaching languages: English & French
🎓 Degree Awarded
Upon successful completion of the Theologate, graduates receive the Bachelor of Sacred Theology (S.T.B.) or equivalent qualification from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome — recognised by the Holy See globally.
📚 Academic Standards
- Annual written examinations
- Seminar papers & essays
- Oral examinations each year
- Final synthesis paper (T4)
- Comprehensive oral exam (Ad Lauream)
- Pastoral field placements
🏛 Academic Faculty
Our lecturers include Cameroonian diocesan priests, Benedictines, Mill Hill Missionaries, and visiting academics from the Pontifical Urban University.
Meet the Faculty →