Bachelor of Christian Studies

The Bachelor of Christian Studies (B.C.S) is offered by the Senate of Serampore College (University) for private study. The responsibility for administering the programme is with the Executive Committee under the overall supervision of the Senate of Serampore College.

The laity are the presence of the church in the world. They are called to commend their faith particularly in their secular professions or vocations in which they are involved and participate in the process of social change. In order to equip the laity with proper theological knowledge so that they can witness more effectively  to the Gospel of Christ in various capacities and under different circumstances the Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS) course is introduced as an extension programme of the Senate of Serampore College (University). It is designed to provide the laity from different walks of life with academic skills for an in-depth understanding of Christian faith, history, doctrines and practical dimensions of ministry to interact with their neighbours and colleagues in their common quest for meaning in life.

Objectives:

  • To provide theological education as a critical transforming influence in personal, ecclesial and societal life in India/South

  • To provide tools for interpreting the Word of God in the social, economic and political context of the society.
  • To enable persons to become effective witnesses in the context of their varied and diversified vocations.
  • To study the interaction of Christianity with people of other faiths and cultures.
  • To facilitate lay leadership in church and society with the study of Christianity, its history, faith and practices.
  • To promote theological education in regional languages as well as in English.
Admission Requirements:

A candidate at the time of admission to the BCS degree course shall fulfill the following requirements:

  • A holder of Bachelor Degree from a recognised University

  • A candidate should have passed 10th class and cleared matured candidate exam (as per the existing policy of the Senate) with 2 years of ministerial work experience.

  • A candidate should have passed Dip.C.S. or Dip.BT with 1 year of ministerial work
Registration:

The academic year for BCS course is January to December. A candidate is expected to send the “Online Registration” form by 31st October every year prior to commencing the study. The hard copy of the Registration Form should be submitted to the Dean, SCEPTRE, Kolkata within 6th November. The last submission of filled in application form with late fee is on or before 15th November.

The Registration Form should be submitted along with the following documents.
  • Academic certificates or mark sheet copies of academic qualification
  • Certificate of birth registration or other acceptable evidence of date of birth and the candidate must be ready to supply additional information and references that may be considered desirable in support of his/ her application.
  • Church membership certificate.
  • The candidate shall give in writing that he/she is not doing any course under any university/institution at the same time.
  • The Registration fee must be sent by Demand Draft in favour of “Senate of Serampore College” payable at Kolkata.
  • Application submitted without any of the above will be rejected.

Non-attendance of BCS 1st year Contact Seminar will lead to cancellation of registration.

Note: Registration Form along with the Regulations / Syllabus / Application packet are available at SCEPTRE Office, Kolkata at a cost of Rs. 900/- Payable in advance by Demand Draft.

Medium of Study and Examination:

The medium of study and examination shall be in English or any other vernacular language approved by the Senate.

Contact Seminar: (Compulsory for all the four years)

Contact seminar shall be arranged once in a year before the exams as it will be more convenient to the candidates. The Affiliated Colleges and the exam centres can conduct the contact seminars as approved by the Senate of Serampore College. Prior information must be given to the Dean, SCEPTRE about the dates of the Contact Seminar so that he/she/a representative can be present during such days. Certificates will be issued at the end of the contact seminar which will be used as a proof for attending the contact seminar.

Duration:

The length of BCS degree course is four years starting from January to December. Validity of the registration shall be for seven years. Dip.C.S. Diploma  holders will join BCS 3rd year as an up-grader. The validity of registration of Dip.C.S. up-grader shall be four years.

Examination:

  • Serampore College, all affiliated Colleges, SCEPTRE and approved Examination Centres are centres for the Senate examinations. All candidates are normally expected to take their examination at one of these centres.

  • Each paper is of 3 hours. The maximum marks for each paper is 100 and covers the subject matter indicated in the syllabus.

  • Students can write minimum six papers and maximum twelve papers during one annual examination.

  • A candidate (direct under the Senate) applying for permission to write the examination at an affiliated College or approved Exam Centre must obtain prior permission from the Principal or head of the institution.

  • Four Contact Seminars (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year and 4th year) must be attended. Without Contact Seminar Attendance Certificate, Senate will not allow the candidates to write the Exam. Fees must be paid accordingly.

  • Online Examination Entry Form must be done on or before 15th The hard copy of the Examination entry form along with the consent letter of the Principal/head of the institution must reach the office of SCEPTRE, Kolkata on or before 20th of July and with late fee 31st of July each year.

  • If a candidate wishes to write the Senate examination overseas, he/she should seek prior permission from the Registrar by sending a request and a letter from the Superintendent of Examination before 15th July of the year of examination. The Senate shall determine the Local Centre and an additional fee to be paid in such cases.

  • All the Senate examinations for Bachelor of Christian Studies shall normally be evaluated by two examiners.

  • The candidate shall apply for re-evaluation of any answer script within ten days from the date of announcement of the results.

Pass and Failure in Examination:

A candidate who fails in any paper or papers is regarded as being “Failed” in such paper or papers and is permitted to offer himself/herself  for re-examination in that paper or those papers, or in any other paper or papers that may be substituted in accordance with the Regulations, provided that he/she is able to complete the requirements of the Degree within the time allowed. Any change for optional paper registration must be applied through SCEPTRE on or before31st July each year.

Standard of Pass and Class:

The pass mark in each paper in the examination for Bachelor of Christian Studies is 40%.

First Class Second Class Third Class Failure
A+ (80% and above) B+ (65%) C+ (50%) D (30%)
A (75%) B (60%) C (45%) E (20%)
A- (70%) B- (55%) C- (40%) F (10%)
Bridge to other Degrees:

  • To upgrade to BD, two year residency is required. The candidate has to pass English papers (BOS11 and BOS12) prior to admission to the B.D. programme.

  • BCS First and Second Division students may register directly for MCS programme.
  • Students seeking admission to M.Th should come through two year BD residential programme.
Convocation of Serampore College:

The Convocation of Serampore College is held annually. Normally every student who has qualified for the B.C.S. degree is expected to attend the Convocation to receive his/her degree in person. Candidates who have been granted the degree in absentia should apply to the Senate for the degree, sending the inabsentia fee by Demand Draft in favour of the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College.