FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have any other questions not answered here please let us know through the contact form on the Contact page. 

Where are the courses running?

All classes (both BA and MA) will be held on-site at Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang (Rooftop, Lot 10, Bukit Bintang) see here for a map and streamed online (via Zoom).

I don’t live in Kuala Lumpur or anywhere near the campus, can I still join the college or sign up for the courses?

Yes! From 2021, we have switched to a hybrid model of teaching and learning so you can join us from anywhere in the world as long as the time zone makes sense. Classes will still take place on Thursdays at 7.30 PM (Malaysian Time GMT+8). If the timing works for you, you could consider signing up to study with us. Being a remote student would mean that you will be based in your country of residence, and will be joining classes online from your country of residence. We do not have the capability to assist with Malaysian student visa applications. Student visa application / issuance are not part of our services.

When are the courses?

  • The Theological classes are held Thursday evenings (Malaysian Time GMT+8) during term time. During the five Intensive Teaching Weeks (ITWs), classes are held on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

  • The Formation classes, for those working towards ordination, are held on Thursday afternoons at 3.30 PM (Malaysian Time GMT+8).

Who teaches the course?

Teaching is provided mostly by in-house academic teaching staff, local and visiting lecturers, and occasionally by academic teaching staff from St Mellitus College in the UK. We also bring in a number of practitioners and leaders from other fields to help develop our ordinands’ capacity for effective and healthy church leadership in the future.

Can I talk to someone in the SPTC team to ask about the course offerings and the college?

Yes, we are happy to have a chat with you as you go through the discernment process, and to answer any queries that you might have. You can sign up for a discernment chat via the button below and we will be in touch with you soon.

What are the dates for 2024-25?

INTENSIVE TEACHING WEEKS:

  • 2 - 7 September 2024

  • 7 - 12 October 2024

  • 13 - 18 January 2025*

  • 5 - 10 May 2025*

  • 14 - 19 July 2025*

TERM DATES:

  • Term 1: 22 August - 12 December 2024

  • Term 2: 9 January - 10 April 2025*

  • Term 3: 5 May - 19 July 2025*

TERM BREAKS:

  • Christmas Break: 13 December 2024 - 8 January 2025

  • CNY Break: 24 January - 5 February 2025*

  • Easter Break: 11 April - 4 May 2025*

Annual College Spiritual Retreat

  • 23 - 25 January 2025* OR 20 - 22 February 2025*

*Dates are subject to change

How much does it cost?

The student contribution for Academic Year 2024-25 is:

  • RM 8,000 per academic year for the BA

  • RM 10,000 per academic year for the MA

This applies to students in both the Ordination and Independent track. The cost covers our weekly classes, online learning management system, and library resources (online and physical). 

The actual cost of running this course is much greater than what we charge and we are generously supported by donors and partners. If you would like to partner with us financially in equipping the next generation of church leaders, please fill in the contact form on the Contact page.

How do I apply?

Applications for 2024-25 are now open. Kindly head over to our apply page

When should I apply / when is the application deadline?

The program commences in August every year. You can apply anytime from March onwards for the upcoming intake. The final application deadline for the 2024-25 Academic Year is 19 August 2024 for both the BA the MA.

Are your courses accredited or approved by an official body?

Our courses (Certificate, Diploma, BA) have been officially accredited by the Asian Theological Association (ATA) for a period of 5 years beginning April 2019. We are also an Accredited Member in the Asian Theological Association. Please refer to the ATA website for more information.

Our MA in Biblical and Theological Studies began in August 2020 and will be going through an accreditation process sometime in 2024.

Is the Sunday serving compulsory for the undergraduates of the BA in Theology if one opts not to go for ordination? 

The Sunday serving is aimed at providing you with the opportunity to apply the theology you learn on Thursday evenings in a real church setting. We are not as strict with the independents (BA track only) as we are with the ordinands (BA and Ordination track), but we do expect all BA undergraduates to be able to articulate how they are applying theology into a ministry setting,  e.g leading a connect group, being part of the children's or youth team, or being an Alpha group leader.

Can I stop after Year 1 of the BA in Theology and get a Certificate in Theology or stop after Year 2 and get a Diploma in Theology or do I need to complete the entire 3 year course to get any form of accreditation?

You will obtain the following qualifications upon completion of the following years:

Year 1: Certificate in Theology, Mission, and Ministry

Year 2: Diploma in Theology, Mission, and Ministry

Year 3: Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Mission, and Ministry

However, we do encourage all students to work towards full completion of the 3 year BA degree as the modules covered in Years 2 and 3 build on and further equip you for leadership in a Christian ministry setting.

How many intensive teaching weeks are there per annum?

There will be 5 intensive teaching weeks (ITW) per year. These are the different formats of ITWs at SPTC:

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday (evenings) + 2 sessions on Saturday (morning)

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (evenings) + 2 sessions on Saturday (morning)

How many semesters are there per annum? Are there exams after each semester?

There are 3 semesters per annum. There are no written exams for most of the course except for one elective module, Introduction to Biblical Greek. The course will be assessed entirely via coursework, submitted throughout each semester.

What is the course examination structure?

The course will be assessed based on coursework (academic essays and occasionally reflective learning journals) submitted throughout each semester.

Do you offer one-off modules or courses at SPTC?

At St. Paul's Theological College, we do not currently offer one-off modules or courses. We believe in the transformative power of theology within the context of a learning community, fostering a rich environment for collaborative exploration and deepening understanding. Our commitment is to provide comprehensive theological education, nurturing a holistic learning experience for all our students. If you have any questions about our programs, feel free to explore our offerings or contact our admissions team for more information.

For those that do not read or have not finished reading the Bible, is it a major concern or handicap when taking this course?

On a preliminary note, it is important to read the entire Bible. That being said, there is no requirement to the whole Bible for the purposes of undertaking this course. we would advise directing people to the Bible in One Year mobile app ("BioY") which can be done concurrently with the course.

Does St Paul's Theological College (SPTC) Malaysia offer student visas?

No, unfortunately, at this time, SPTC does not offer student visas. However, we welcome international students to explore other visa options to join our vibrant theological community. It's important to note that SPTC is one of the theological education arms within the Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, dedicated to providing high-quality theological education.