This website is produced by the Association of Bible College Principals to help you. We are glad to do this together, in order to provide information for all those considering training for mission and ministry in the UK and overseas.

One College will be the best for one person and a different one best for another, depending upon their past experience and future ministry. Some Colleges are more focused on practical skills, others on academic studies. All have their own character and brief profiles and information are provided by them in this website.

You may have recently committed yourself wholeheartedly to Christ, with a view to missionary work, or to full-time pastoral or evangelistic ministry while still uncertain about the future, you may feel you need more training.

You may be surprised to know that there are many evangelical Colleges offering a variety of courses. We want to help you find the one most suitable to your own needs. You may decide to start studying by correspondence, in evening classes, or other part-time study, rather than full-time.

All the Colleges offer the possibility of detailed studies in your chosen area. Of first importance is the study of the scriptures, to discover the historical and social situations behind each book of the Bible, and develop skills to interpret the Bible. Courses also help to develop skills to use the Bible in evangelism and in teaching. All the courses help you to gain understanding of contemporary cultures so that you can present a relevant gospel in a multicultural post modern world. Many courses focus on aspects of Christian mission and ministry such as youth culture, children's work, music etc. Though Timothy possessed a spiritual gift (1 Tim 4:16) he is warned not to neglect it but to be diligent, to give himself to reading, preaching and teaching so that all can see his progress and perseverance. He is told that possessing a gift is not sufficient, he must take pains to cultivate and develop it.

It is easy to have a false estimate of our own gifts and abilities; better to have the objective advice of friends, and especially of one's church leaders. It is biblical and wise to consult them about your training. It is encouraging to have their wholehearted endorsement and if they are behind you they may help support you while in training.

• Your Christian tradition: You may have strong convictions - whether Reformed, Pentecostal, Wesleyan, Holiness or Charismatic for example, and you may prefer a college which is sympathetic to your views or you may wish to study with others holding a wider variety of view points.
  
  Many of the colleges in our Association are interdenominational, while some, directly linked with a confessional group, are mainly denominational, although they welcome students from a wider spectrum.
  
  
• Your educational background: Most of the Colleges welcome people with a wide range of abilities, recognising that some have not had opportunities for study previously. Highly motivated Christians who come later to study often do very well. Even Colleges with the highest academic standards usually have diploma and certificate courses open to all because they are committed to train at all kinds of level. However, most degree courses require some A levels for school leavers, just as at University.
  
  
• Your future ministry: This will certainly affect the length of the course you will take. Doctors and missionary nurses may find a one-year course sufficient for their needs. Many denominational churches have particular requirements and most Missionary Societies recommend a minimum of two years for their workers. If you want to teach theology overseas you will need a degree; some foreign governments require it before they will grant a visa.

Normally colleges welcome married students and will offer support to them. Often married couples train together. Some of the colleges will not train a married person unless they can help train the couple together. It is certainly good if one's partner can also be trained for some of the time, although sometimes one partner must work to pay for their keep while their spouse studies. Some colleges have married or family accommodation. Some offer creche or play group facilities.

Living expenses will be no different from usual, as it always costs to eat and have a roof over your head. As all Colleges have to balance their books they all have to charge a tuition fee. There are several possible sources of support:

• Your own savings.
  

• Student Loans - advice will be given to you by the College or the Student Loans Company.
  
  
• Local Education Authority tuition grants for those students studying for a Degree at a college where the course is validated by a University.
  
  
• Family and friends.
  
  
• Your local church may be willing to support you if they think you are worth training.
  
  
• Christian Trusts or Bursary Funds are sometimes available.