Bachelor of Divinity: Theology with Pastoral Studies

The BD (Hons) in Theology with Pastoral Studies programme is our core programme training for ministry and chaplaincy. The programme covers the foundations in biblical studies, foundations in doctrine and church history, as well as a broad range of practical / pastoral theology. However, the programme is designed for much more than traditional church ministry, helping students to discover their call, nourish their faith, and reach their potential.

We envisage students to be passionate about learning about God, deepening their own faith, and feel called to help others experience God’s presence in their life. The BD programme helps students to become well rounded practitioners for whatever ministry they are called to, whether that’s chaplaincy in healthcare, hospices, or prisons; church and caring ministries; or broader areas of ministry through school teaching or third sector vocations.

For the BD Theology with Pastoral Studies (Youth and Community) please see here.

Introduction to the Programme

The BD in Theology with Pastoral Studies invites students to explore issues of Scripture and Christian belief, lived ethics, Christian spirituality, and mission. Students engage with the biblical story, and in a supportive context explore the range and richness of Christian theology and history in order to discover and develop ways of living out strong convictions and an informed faith.

The BD programme at SBC aims to be both informative and formative. This takes place when what is believed is rooted in practice and is shaped and developed in a supportive community context.

Students study at SBC for many different reasons from across many different denominations and backgrounds. We do, however, partner with the Baptist Union of Scotland to provide training for accredited ministry. For those studying for Baptist ministry, the key competences required by both the Baptist Union of Scotland and the Baptist Union of Great Britain are integrated into the overall learning experience.

Delivery Methods

There are two ways to study at the Scottish Baptist College – on-campus and online. The first of these, on-campus delivery, is the traditional model where classes take place on-campus at our accrediting university, the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley. Classes take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 10am and 1pm. As part of our daily rhythm, we gather for coffee and devotions for 30 mins in the middle of the morning. Our commitment to learning communities mean that in-class interactions between students and lecturers are fundamental to learning from each other and therefore, learning together.

The second way to study at SBC is our online delivery. This model takes the best of the the on-campus experience of a robust learning community combined with access to resources and lecturers but allows you to stay in your home context. Online learning for SBC doesn’t look like being left on your own to read books; and it doesn’t look like watching pre-recorded content; instead we focus on developing an online learning community with real-time interactions and discussions in a virtual classroom. In general we gather together each week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings (depending on the number of modules you take) from 7:15-9:30pm over Zoom. Occasionally we’ll combine delivery methods and use a hybrid style classroom with some students on-campus and some online. This allows us maximum flexibility for all circumstances.

Read our blog about our delivery methods and what online validation means for the way you can study.

Shape of the Year

Our academic year usually begins around mid-September and runs to early May (the latest term timetable is here). Our terms are 15 weeks long with 12 weeks of classes and post-class assessment periods. Term 1 has 12 weeks of classes with one Reading Week (weeks with no classes which usually coincides with the local school October holiday – dependent on Council area) and runs until early December. Term 2 begins in late January with 2 Reading Weeks (one at beginning of March and one at the beginning of April, again to coincide with one week of school Easter holidays) and ends at the beginning of May.

If on a degree course of study, Term 2 also contains a placement-based course as one of your classes.

You can find out more about specific modules on offer here.

For fees and financing click here

“‘Studying at SBC has helped me to think both broader and deeper in areas that I might not have naturally considered. I believe this has given me a greater understanding of not only my own viewpoints but has also helped me to relate to others people’s viewpoints and made me more open to new ideas.”
Ally Heath, SBC Graduate 2018

The BD programme is cumulative and developmental – each year builds upon the previous although the order you take modules may vary from year to year. Participants can, however, exit with awards at the different levels. These levels correspond to the Scottish Qualification and Credit Framework where Level 7 is first year at University, Level 8 second year and so on.

Admission Requirements

Academic requirements:

The general entry requirement for the Bachelor of Divinity programme is five Scottish National Qualifications, including three at Higher Level (one of which should be English). Applicants may be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

English Language requirements: 

In line with the UWS regulations, all programmes of the University require a minimum IELTS comparable score of 6.0 or above (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component). This will be acceptable as evidence of proficiency in English.

Interview:

Acceptance to this programme is conditional on a satisfactory admissions interview with the Programme Leader (or appointed staff member), and references indicating personal suitability (unless waived by interview).

Other requirements:

General IT skills: All are required to apply online and enrol with the University online which includes setting up and using a University email account. All courses require electronic assessment submission and course materials are accessed via our online learning portal (called Aula) and our online Digital Theological Library. Therefore, we must be satisfied that applicants have a basic proficiency in IT.  

Online mode of study – applicants to the online mode of study must be able to engage with real-time live online sessions (usually via Zoom) as timetabled regardless of their time zone, and will be responsible for providing their own IT resources.

Placement-based course – applicants must take responsibility for securing their own placement setting, for the completion of the Work-Based Learning elements of the programme. While the Scottish Baptist College will support students to identify appropriate placement settings where possible, the expectation is on the student to source their own placement opportunities.

On some occasions distance / international students may not be able to take the Work-based Learning module but the College will provide an alternative and equivalent module that meets the Learning Outcomes of the Work-based Learning module. 

Application

Having read the above information, if you wish to apply to any of our courses then please fill out an application enquiry form and we’ll be in contact as soon as possible. If you have further questions about application or study then please email Graham Meiklejohn, our Communications Coordinator, who will be more than happy to advise you and guide you through the application process (graham.meiklejohn@uws.ac.uk)

During my time at SBC I’ve been challenged in numerous ways, all of it for the better. Knowing that God had brought me to SBC I wasn’t really sure what I had gotten myself into, but each class stretched me and helped to develop me and it has given me an amazing start in this journey that I am on with God.

The course was both difficult and thought provoking but I loved it. The support I received from both the staff and students at SBC was above and beyond anything I could have imagined.

I am sad not to be returning in September, but I know that once a student at SBC, you are never forgotten about.

Cindy Pollock

BD(Hons) Graduate, 2012