Tuition
We believe training for ministry and mission should be as accessible as possible. We have always subsidized the cost of study but starting from the year 2022-2023 we’re subsidizing the cost even further in order to open up the feasibility to study on a degree course for as many people as possible (see this blog on how we arrived at this decision). Combined with our online distance option making our full-time and part-time courses more flexible, we are committed to opening our welcoming and accepting learning community to as many people as possible. Our fees usually increase in line with inflation for each new academic year.
Annual Fees 24/25
Study Type | Price |
---|---|
Full-time undergraduate: | £2500 per year with SAAS funding* |
Part-time undergraduate: | £711 per module** |
Modular Students:*** | £550 per module |
SAAS Funding Notes:
*The vast majority of our Scottish-based students receive SAAS funding through being eligible as a Scottish resident and taking a degree for the first time or being eligible as training for ministry as a second degree.Unfortunately, international students will not be eligible for SAAS funding. If you are not eligible for SAAS you would be responsible for the full fee rate of £4265 per year. Find out more about SAAS here: https://www.saas.gov.uk/full-time/funding-information-undergraduate
**This is a pro-rata fee based on 1/6th of a FT course as there are 6 modules per academic year, however, as a PT student you would be participating in at least 2 modules per year. You may be eligible for a part-time fee grant (PTFG) from SAAS but as this is means-tested we cannot guarantee your level of funding. At present, the eligibility criteria states you must earn under £25,000 pa. gross and your level of funding depends on the number of modules you take. If you qualify, the PTFG may fund around half of your fees. Changes in the way the PTFG is applied for means that when applying to the PTFG, you may need to select UWS as the institution – this can be discussed at the time of application. More information can be found on the SAAS website: https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time/undergraduate-funding
Modular Study Notes:
***Modular study rate usually only applies to a single module in any academic year. Please note that modular students cannot graduate from a course of study and are not eligible for SAAS funding. Modular rate only applies to those who cannot access other funding i.e. ministry training bursary or SAAS or training grant. If you are planning to gain a qualification (certificate, diploma, degree, or honours degree) you will be classed as a part-time student rather than a modular student. Part-time fees will be calculated depending on the number of modules taken per year.
Funding
Our main stream of subsidizing fees is from generous individual donors and individual Baptist churches around Scotland. We do not receive funding directly from any other source such as a denominational body (though ministry candidates may get some additional funding from their denomination). As a ‘private College’ (i.e. not a state-funded University), we do not get full (government) funding. However, as an individual student, full-time students eligible for SAAS get £1765 per year towards fees (part-time students may get a part-time fee grant on application to SAAS). This covers almost half of your overall fees.
There are a number of other options for funding.
1. If you already have a degree and studying at SBC is a second degree for ministry, then SAAS may cover your fees (or part of them). Their wording is as follows:
“If you are looking to do a second degree in divinity, which leads to a qualification (for example, BA divinity or BA theology), we may be able to pay your tuition fees if you meet the following conditions.
a recognised church or religious body (for example, Christianity, Islam, Judaism) accept you as a ‘bona fide candidate’ for the ministry and
you do not receive more than seven years’ full funding in total at higher education level for both your previous and current course.”
See here for more information and get in contact if you think this might be a option for you.
2. SAAS via the Student Loans Company (SLC) also allows you to take out a loan for living expenses . You can get around £5000-6000 and some students choose to use this to go towards fees (although as a loan, this is repayable depending on future earnings – see here for info).
3. SAAS provides some information on other sources of funding and trust funds – we suggest you look through these for any that might apply.
4. You may already have thought about this – we recommend considering approaching your church or church members to ask for support. Studying theology is often a calling and a lifelong mission – don’t be surprised if people want to invest in your calling!
Registration Fees
The registration fees below take account of this categorisation. Registration fees are charged by the University of the West of Scotland and passed on directly from the Scottish Baptist College to UWS.
Year | Full Time Fee | Part Time Fee |
---|---|---|
All FT/PT Years | £210 | Pro-rata at £35 per module |
Modular Students | £35 per module |
Other Costs
Domestic students who undertake the Work-based Learning modules are required to join the Disclosure Scotland PVG scheme (i.e. full-time and part-time students on the BD course at levels 7, 8, and 9 and any modular students). This can result in a one-off cost of £59 or £19 depending on whether a student only requires an upgrade to an existing membership or if they need to join the scheme. Further details will be given upon progressing to this module.
International students may be required to obtain and pay for a country-specific disclosure for fitness to be on placement. On some occasions the Work-based Learning module may not be available for international students but an equivalent module will be provided to meet the Learning Outcomes.