| Questions |
Answers |
| When does College start? |
Full-time students: Classes normally start in the last week of January, with the 2nd semester commencing after the July break. Correspondence students: The 1st semester runs from January to June and the 2nd semester from July to November. Materials are normally available from about one month before the start of the semester.
See the Calendar for more details. |
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| Can I study individual courses without registering for a specific qualification? |
Yes. Some courses build on other courses, but most courses are stand alone. |
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| Do I need to feel called to study at the College? |
You should believe that studying at the College is in God's will for your life, but you do not need to have a specific call to long-term, full-time Christian ministry to study at BTC. |
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| I'm not a Baptist, can I study at the College? |
The College welcomes students from other denominations. |
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| I'm not sure what God is calling me to, but I feel the need to study for some type of full time ministry. Can I study at the College? |
The Certificate in Theology, consisting of ten courses, provides a foundational introduction to ministry training. It is also the building block for the other qualifications offered at College. Students who are unsure of their calling can enrol for the Certificate in Theology, which gives them time to find out which ministry the Lord is calling them to and to consider further levels of study |
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| Does the College provide accommodation for students? |
Yes, BTC has two blocks of flats where full-time students may stay at a subsidised rate. |
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| Why should I come and study full-time if I can do all the subjects by correspondence? |
Full-time students are in daily contact with lecturers and fellow students. This adds to the stimulation and interaction inside and outside the classroom set-up. Students have the opportunity of one-on-one input from the lecturers. |
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| How much can I do by correspondence and how much must be done full-time? |
All courses offered on a full-time basis are also offered by correspondence, thereby placing no specific full-time demand on any student. |
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| What provisions do you make for students who live outside of South Africa? |
The College offers distance studies consisting of postal and e-mail access, depending on the student's preference. Distance learners outside of the SADC region will need to have e-mail access to avoid exorbitant postal and courier charges. |
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| I'm not interested in youth studies. Can I do alternate subjects for the Certificate in Theology? |
All students have to complete all the courses within the Certificate in Theology. These are all introductory courses and have been added deliberately to increase every student's perspective on ministry during their first level of study. |
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| Are you accredited and, if so, through whom? |
The College is registered with the South African Department of Education (see the official list of registered institutions) and is also registered with SAQA (South African Qualification's Authority) and HEQC (Higher Education Quality Committee). We have also had a long-standing partnership with a the University of Zululand. |
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| Will studies through the Baptist College be accepted by other institutions in South Africa and around the world? |
Generally yes; however, the College has no say in the specific requirements of other institutions. |
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| I'm wary of studying at a purely academic institution. What practical training can I expect at the college? |
Students at all levels of study are required to complete sessions of guided practical preaching. Where necessary, courses contain compulsory practical requirements such as counselling, evangelism and preaching. |
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| I don't sense a call to full-time ministry but wish to better equip myself for ministry in my local church. Is there a place at the College for me? |
Yes, as one of our goals is to equip Christians for ministry at any level. |
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| I'd love to study but finances are a problem. Do you have bursaries or grants to assist students financially? |
There is a limited amount of bursary assistance available. Students need to approach their churches first to see if they can assist in this area. |
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| Do you allow women to study at the College? |
Yes, women are allowed to study at the College. |
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| Can you guarantee me a position in ministry if I complete studies at the College? |
No, but should churches or organisations call on the college for fulltime ministers occasionally, recommendations are made to the enquirers. Students are also encouraged to be involved in a local church during their time of study. |
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| I don't speak English well, will I be able to study at the college? |
In the past students with English as their third, fourth or even fifth language have successfully attended College. The language barrier will initially be a hurdle which needs to be overcome, but it is possible. Students may have to have their assignments proof-read by someone with a good command of English in the beginning. |
