Fees for the Knowing Your Bible, biblical languages and Jewish-Christian Studies programmes are detailed on those course pages.
For existing students already enrolled on our degree programmes download the 2023-24 fee sheet and notes.
KEDS Director of Studies Dr Stephen Vantassel explores the practical benefits of a theological education in a short but useful essay that ought to be read by anyone considering enrolling on a Bible college or seminary programme. This article is used with kind permission and was originally entitled The Benefits of a Bible College Education.
While teaching at a Bible School here in the United States, I had the opportunity to talk to a discouraged student. The student was questioning the value of being in Bible School "doing nothing". He opined about how he could be out working for God in evangelism rather than spending time in a classroom.
I responded by asking if it would be better for a farmer to plant seeds by hand or to spend some time in school learning how to plant crops by machine? The answer is obvious but he didn't seem to really believe that my story had any real relation to his dilemma. I continued by stating that Bible college isn't a waste of time because it will make you an even more effective tool in the service of Christ.
This article is a further explanation of my original point. Bible College training improves the effectiveness of ministers in a number of ways.
First, Bible College consumes time. It may sound stupid, but just the fact that the individual is a few years older before working in the ministry can greatly improve his/her ministry's impact. For with time, comes experience and with experience comes wisdom. It should also go without saying that sometimes people discover during their study time that they lack the needed gifts for full time ministry. Think of how much wasted time is saved both for the individual and the potential church, if the person found out that pastoring wasn't for him/her before taking the pulpit.
Second, Bible College engrosses the student in the study of God's word and Christian Theology. The Bible College experience exposes the student to ideas and insights that he/she were heretofore unaware. Bible College forces the student to develop his/her own positions on controversial issues like baptism, suffering etc. before that person is confronted with those dilemmas in the Church. However, Bible School also strengthens the faith and commitment of the student by showing how and why Christians believe in ways different than others around them. In short, the Bible School student will know why he/she believes and why he/she doesn't believe.
Third, Bible College improves the student on the social level because it brings him/her in contact with people he/she would otherwise probably never meet. In the church setting, a Presbyterian would probably never have a long relationship with an Anglican. Not because of animosity per se, but because they reside in different religious communities. Bible School changes all that by bringing Christians from different denominations and sitting them beside each other in class. This setting forces students to not only wrestle in the realm of ideas and beliefs but to face the meaning of loving fellow Christians even while they may be debating a point in theology. Arguing abstract ideas is one thing but arguing with someone who loves Christ but differs from you puts a whole new perspective on it.
Bible School offers benefits to those interested in lay ministry also. Bible School can develop students into more well rounded believers. Many non-ministerial students enter Bible School training because they are seeking how to integrate their faith in Christ into their work place. They want to learn how an understanding of Sin, Repentance and Salvation impact their roles as professional counselors, teachers, even public officials.
Others attend Bible College out of a desire to just learn more about the Bible. We must remember that (regrettably), the modern Church doesn't teach its members as systematically as it once did. In earlier times, new Christians underwent a thorough catechism where the great doctrines of the Church were impressed upon the young converts. Bible College today, fills that need that many Christians have. The benefit for the Church is the creation of highly skilled lay people who can assist the pastor in teaching, counseling and ministering to the Body.
Finally, Bible Colleges teaches her students how to learn. Bible School can't do everything or teach everything there is to know about theology, Scripture and Church History. But Bible School does provide the student with the skills on how to delve more deeply into areas previously unknown to the student. Bible School isn't the end of a students education. It is the launching pad from where the student can be directed to achieve new heights of personal, social and Spiritual development.
So who should consider coming to Bible School? Anyone who has a desire or need to learn more about the Christian Faith. Why should they consider Bible School? They should consider attending because they seek to better fulfill the commands of Christ and expand His Kingdom over their own lives and the lives of others.
Copyright Stephen Vantassel. Used with permission.
How does online study actually work? What are the mechanics of studying theology through a Higher Education provider like KEDS, and how does the learning experience differ from traditional taught programmes in a classroom?
These are some of the questions we’re sometimes asked and this short article aims to provide details of how our online programmes are delivered.
VLE
E-learning platforms are known as a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). VLEs include well-known “off the shelf” systems, such as Blackboard and Moodle. However, some institutions create their own “bespoke” VLEs tailored to their specific needs.
Over the years KEDS has developed its own bespoke VLE that has been specifically designed to achieve the school’s strategy and aims, deliver its programmes efficiently and best serve its constituency.
We refer to it as our eCampus, an innovative e-learning platform providing students with many of the resources required to complete their chosen course of study.
The KEDS eCampus
Once enrolled at KEDS students open an eCampus account which gives them access to the various resources needed to complete their chosen programme of study.
These include programme and module specifications, handbooks, audio and video lectures, other media such as interviews, PowerPoint presentations and YouTube/Vimeo clips, as well as study notes, reading materials (including full-text access to books and journals accessible through the eCampus), a school noticeboard, forum, instant chat facilities and external web links.
All assignments are submitted, marked and returned online. After working through an induction programme students begin working on individual modules. There is a separate webpage for each module.
Many online providers deliver their programmes synchronously. This means students and tutors meet online in real time for much of the course delivery. However, with students coming from across the world and working across various time-zones, KEDS delivers its programmes asynchronously. This means students work through the material at their own pace, to fit their own timetable (though there are deadlines for the submission of work at the end of each academic year).
So while students have access to tutors in real-time where necessary (eg by Skype), the eCampus provides KEDS students with the resources they need to work through their modules independently, without having to schedule online classroom events or other activities to fit in with a set school calendar.
As well as the resources listed above, students have access to a knowledgebase and other databases providing them with answers to queries and additional information even when the office is closed in the UK. It makes for a far more flexible, self-paced programme with a strong emphasis upon independent learning and research.
In addition the eCampus forum provides students with plenty of opportunity to interact with fellow students and faculty on theological and course-related issues, as well as socially if they wish, while additional tutorial support is available by email.
Are There Any Physical Attendance Requirements?
KEDS does organise some regional seminars and special events that provide invaluable opportunities to bring students and tutors together.
However, unlike many distance learning schools that combine online and classroom delivery (known as blended learning), at KEDS all the course materials for our programmes are available online to any registered student with access to a broadband connection and eCampus account.
In short, there is no requirement to attend seminars or other events if you do not wish.
Summary
Studying at KEDS is a fully online learning experience, so that it is possible to complete the whole of your programme via our eCampus.
Meanwhile, a variety of media and delivery methods, considerable resources, interactivity and a genuine sense of community, as well as a flexible and varied learning experience, have all been combined to produce a learning experience which our students frequently commend and consider invaluable.
