Here’s some of the question we get asked most often! If you can’t find the answer to your question then please do contact us – and who knows, it might end up on the FAQs list!

Do you have to be a Baptist to study at SBC?

Absolutely not! Though we train Baptist ministers and many Baptist churches support us and we love our Baptist constituency, our actual student body is made up of a wide variety of people from all walks of life and Christian belief. We think the variety makes the learning environment so much richer. Part of studying theology is being open to hearing different opinions and learning to live alongside people you don’t agree with! So come along and join us and help make our community the richer for you being here!

Why does studying theology cost and is there additional help to cover fees?

As a Higher Education institute that offers degrees it means we have a number of overheads – salaries for staff, costs of having a place to study, administrative fees for being able to offer degree-level education. For example, in England degrees are charged anywhere between £6000 and £9000 – in Scotland these fees are often covered by the Government. However, unfortunately as a private College (as opposed to a public University) we do not receive the same level of support from the Government. The College regularly runs at a deficit when balancing student fees directly against all costs.

What help is on offer? SAAS offers our students £1765 and we suggest that applicants approach their church or denomination to ask if there is any way they could support them financially. Our students can apply to SAAS for a student loan. There are only a very limited number of private trusts that may offer scholarships and the College has a very small hardship fund for students.

We recognise this is a commitment and we continually strive to keep our costs and fees as low as possible for the students whilst maintaining a high standard of education.

What does a typical day or week look like?

If you’re studying on campus with us then  classes run on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 10:30am and 12:30pm; and if you’re studying online or at distance then classes run on the same days in the evenings between 7:30-9:30pm. You study three classes a term if you are full-time and there is one class per day. So for example, on a Tuesday you might study Encountering the New Testament and a different class on Wednesday and a different one again on Thursday. If you are part-time or studying module by module you might only be in one morning a week.

Outside of these times, we occasionally have extra afternoon seminars that are optional to attend and we try to share a community times once a month during term time.

We try to be as flexible as we can but we believe in face-to-face community learning where possible.

Can I come for a visit? Do you have an Open Day?

Of course! You can arrange a visit at any time through the year by contacting the College directly but the best way to see the life of the College in its fullness is to come along to our Open Day. We usually hold an Open Day in Spring term – around the middle of March. Nearer the time information will appear on the website with exact dates and times!