Belfast Bible College
Description of Belfast Bible College
- Year of foundation: 1943
- Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
- Age of students: 14+
- Number of students: 200+
- Language of instruction: English
- Type of education: Catholic college.
Belfast Bible College is a hospitable community that exists to provide students with an academic, practical and spiritual education, regardless of the differences between individual streams of Christianity.
The college was founded as Belfast Bible School and Missionary House in 1943 by Robert and Rosalind McKnight, who realized their calling and the need to educate others to participate in the world mission.
He moved to his current location, Glenburn House in Dunmerry, in 1983. Belfast Bible College has always tried to make theological education accessible, opening women's courses since 1975 and evening classes in various formats since 1985. The school continued to expand, with new buildings appearing as the number of students increased. Currently, more than 200 full-time students study here and over 500 in other formats. Among the students are more than 20% of foreign students representing different countries of the world. This diversity makes the college unique and is an important part of its vision and mission, and also has an impact on the local community, opening the city to the world.
Programs and prices, tuition fees in Belfast Bible College
Bachelor of Theology (BA (Hons) Theology)
- Age: 17+;
- Duration 3/6 summer;
- The language of instruction is English.
The program is designed to equip the student with all the tools available to the person of the XXI century: skills for the most effective service to the Lord, knowledge for understanding the Bible and improving qualifications in its interpretation to both individuals and communities at the local and global level.
The graduate will be prepared to face the need to argue political opinions, to conduct debates on acute social topics, to face cultural diversity and complex ethical questions (regardless of whether they are local or global in nature, physical or virtual, whether simple or complex), to answer all questions and to be ready to bring divine reality into the world.
Our century is woven from conflicts and disagreements of representatives of different worldviews and ideas. The problem is that understanding different points of view and presenting the truth of Scripture depends on sensitivity and the ability to understand the interlocutor, to go beyond the debate and become a living demonstration of the gospel and its transformative power to the world and people around us.
Accordingly, opportunities for service are also becoming more numerous and diverse. Quality theological, religious, and missionary education will equip students with the ability to face new situations and challenges by being knowledgeable, mature, patient, and tolerant.
The program is designed to help students become critically thinking people, learn to express thoughts maturely and clearly, be a practitioner capable of effective and meaningful interaction, a disciple committed to the way of Jesus.
Graduates have a wide variety of career paths: from Christian ministry on a permanent basis both in the UK and abroad, administrative work in the church, work with young people, social groups, missionary and charitable activities.
The acquired skills can be useful on any other chosen career path. After completing the undergraduate program, students can apply for the Master of Theology – Bible and Ministry in the Modern World, a number of postgraduate courses, including PGCE.
Graduate Diploma
- Age 17+;
- Duration 1/2 year;
- The language of instruction is English.
The Graduate Diploma course is designed for bachelor's degree holders who want to improve their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, acquire the necessary skills for Christian ministry, develop zeal, spiritual discipline, devotion. The duration of the course can be 1 year in full-time classes or 2 in part-time employment.
The skills and knowledge gained in this course are excellent preparation for ministry in Christianity, missionary or administrative activities, will give the student confidence and provide the necessary skills that will allow him to carry the word of God, lead a church or community.
The level and quality of academic teaching allow you to move on to teaching and research activities within the master's program.
Students can choose the best modules for themselves, most appropriate to their vocation. These can be biblical studies, ministry, missionary work, history, and many other areas.
The diploma allows students to work on obtaining a qualification recognized by the state and EU countries, which gives excellent opportunities to continue a career in graduate school or practical activities. The course is also available as a separate qualification.
Accommodation, meals, prices
Belfast Bible College is located in Dunmerry, a green suburb between Belfast and Lisburn, and is a river and bridge separated by a parking lot surrounded by six campus buildings. Within walking distance from this oasis of peace and tranquility, you can find a supermarket, hotels and inns, shops of various profiles, cafes and restaurants, educational institutions for schoolchildren. Bus and rail routes connect the area with Belfast and other settlements of the region.
The main building, Glenburn House, is an architectural monument. It is one of the first "Linen Houses of the Lagan Valley", built in 1861. When the college moved to the site in 1983, the building was meticulously restored. Thanks to the restoration, it was possible to preserve the main staircase, large fireplaces and stucco ceilings - and at the same time successfully adapt the building for the needs of a modern educational institution. There are administrative services, conference halls and several classrooms.
Next to Glenburn House is a library. Throughout the campus there is a good Wi-Fi network, printers and copiers for students.
The worship center consists of a uniquely shaped chapel (where weekly worship services and college events are held) and a large study room connected to the passage chapel. With its kitchen, foyer and toilet, this building is used for partner events and services.
Also on the territory there is a café "Mustard Seed": students' meals are organized here, in addition, this is the most important center of social attraction, students and employees here have lunch and spend their free time talking and communicating.
Student accommodation (inspected and approved by the Northern Ireland Tourism Board) is provided in the Houses of Riverside and Wellesley, located on either side of the entrance group).
- Riverside House has 10 single rooms on each floor on four floors. Each room has a bed, wardrobe and storage space, desk and chair, washbasin and Internet access (both wired and wireless). Each floor has four shared toilets, two bathrooms and a couple of showers, while the ground floor has a kitchen and living room designed for resident students.
- Wellesley House offers separate apartments for two people. Each has a bedroom, a living room, a kitchen-dining room and a bathroom. In addition, there are two apartments designed for five people. The communal unit is represented by a laundry room with washing machines and dryers, a lounge and a kitchen.
Advantages
- Modern and relevant educational programs;
- A unique in its composition multicultural pedagogical and student collective, equally open to representatives of all Christian denominations;
- Unparalleled experience of coexistence of representatives of conflict communities in peace and harmony.
Facilities and equipment at Belfast Bible College
The library of the Belfast Bible Centre consists of two spacious rooms: a library and a reading room for 70 users. The book collection has 18,000 editions and 6,000 titles of periodicals, including a significant number of specialized documents in the field of theology, biblical studies, missionary activity, and theological education.
The library also has a large collection of online resources with access to more than 1500 journals through the DATABASE OFLA Religion, AtlaSerials PLUS, EBSCO's Religion and Philosophy Collection and SocIndex. Access to online collections is provided through Moodle. The library has significant funds related to the biography of missionaries, an honorable place among them is occupied by the collection of Amy Carmichael.
The building has seven main classrooms for sessions of different capacities - from 60 to 250 students. All have projectors, sound systems, interactive whiteboards, the possibility of sign language interpretation is supported.
Admission dates and extra charges
Belfast Bible College is a licensed student visa operator in the UK, authorized to issue CAS for a visa allowing expats to study at the college, directly, immediately after receiving a conditional offer of admission. Visa applications are recommended to be submitted six months before the start of education.
The college has its own dormitories with a kitchen, accessible to all expat students, which serves as a great help for everyone who intends to come to study in Northern Ireland. Living expenses range from 3200 to 4000 pounds per year, the payment can be divided into two parts.
Payment for tuition and meals can be made in the following ways:
- Cash;
- Cheque;
- Bank card;
- Online, via bank transfer.
Registration fees must be paid before the end of the first month of study, in a one-time payment, in two installments or in seven equal installments from October to May. All outstanding balance must be paid by the end of the current year of study.
Enrolment process
The application process consists of three main steps.
- Filling out and sending an online questionnaire that will allow you to find out whether you meet the criteria established by the college and whether you are able to study at the school. In order to apply, the applicant must submit an application on the appropriate page of the site, select the type of application and fill out the form;
- Providing recommendations. The College requires two written recommendations in a free form; from the leadership of your parish and another authoritative and respected person with an impeccable reputation. These documents are intended to demonstrate your degree of readiness to receive a theological education;
- Interviews with college staff. It can be carried out in person in person or with the help of electronic technologies, online. As a rule, it lasts no more than half an hour, takes place in an informal setting and is necessary in order to understand and assess your degree of readiness to study at the college, to perceive its values and ideals.
In addition, applicants must provide copies of all educational documents along with attachments, as well as certified translations into English. This is necessary to confirm the qualification.
As a rule, the application procedure lasts up to 3 weeks; the final deadline will depend on how quickly you can provide recommendations and all the necessary certified documents.
In case of successful consideration of the application, the college will send the applicant an offer, which will be considered accepted if a response is sent in any prescribed form. Finally, the student is considered enrolled after the receipt of the first payment for tuition (or the entire amount in full).
Scholarships Belfast Bible College
Students can expect scholarship programs totaling up to £3,000/year. Scholarship applicants should contact the financial director of the college administration.
In addition, in addition to the scholarship for the needy, students can apply for a scholarship for services to the school.
Institution on the map
Residence permits, citizenship and other services
- Guardianship services during the studies
- Student supervision
Review about Belfast Bible College
Recommendations on when to apply
| Language courses, schools and children's language camps | Primary and secondary education - private schools | Preparation programmes for entering universities - higher education | Higher education (after completing accredited programs A-level, IB, High School) - Bachelor, Master, MBA |
| - we recommend to apply 6-9 months before the start of the course (some camps and schools offer discounts for early booking or for lengthy study programs) - there are some very popular and high demand children's camps, where the applications need to be submitted 1 year in advance (in particular Switzerland , Great Britain , USA , Canada , Austria) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the training program, - some schools have a specific time frame (September-November - please specify an individual school) - some schools require tests in several stages (UKISET, internal tests of the school: English, mathematics, logics, subjects, interview, some require a personal visit) | - we recommend to apply one year before the start of the program, - for Foundation and Pathway programs, IELTS and TOEFL certificates are usually required, respectively | - recommended submission one year before the start of the program, - the deadline normally closes in January, for TOP HEIs and, as a rule, in March in other universities - for a bachelor, a Foundation or Pathway preparatory program a completed A-level, IB, High School + IELTS / TOEFL are required - for Masters you need a graduated higher education, in some cases you need a pre-Masters program - MBA requires completed higher education, work experience preferably at least 2-3 years, etc. |
