Nature of the Course:
The Senate of Serampore College (University) launched the Bachelor of Christian Studies (BCS) as an external programme in 1990. The primary goal of the course is to equip the laity with theological knowledge for meaningful participation in the life and mission of the Church. Recognizing that the laity represent the presence of the Church in the world and are called to bear witness to their faith within their secular professions and vocations, the programme seeks to prepare them for active involvement in the process of social transformation.
The BCS course is designed to provide learners from diverse backgrounds with sound theological knowledge and academic skills for an in-depth understanding of the Christian faith, doctrines, its history, and the practical dimensions of ministry. It enables them to witness more effectively to the Gospel of Christ in various capacities and contexts, and to engage meaningfully with their neighbours and colleagues in the shared search for life’s meaning.
Course Objectives:
1. To provide theological education as a critical transforming influence in personal, ecclesial, and societal life in India and South Asia.
2. To equip students with tools for interpreting the Word of God within the social, economic, and political context of society.
3. To enable individuals to become effective witnesses to the Gospel in their varied and diverse vocations.
4. To promote the study of Christianity in relation to people of other faiths and
5. To facilitate lay leadership in the church and society through the study of Christianity – its history, faith, and practices.
6. 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 fulfil one of the following requirements:
1. A Bachelor’s degree holder from a recognized University
2. A candidate who has completed the DipCS or DipBT with at least one year of ministerial work experience.
3. A candidate who has passed class 10 and cleared the Matured Candidate Examination (as per the existing policy of the Senate) with at least two years of ministerial work experience.
Medium of Study
The medium of study and examination shall be English or any other vernacular language approved by the Senate.
Course Duration
The duration of the course is four academic years, running from January to December. The registration shall remain valid for a period of seven years. The validity of the registration for DipCS up-graders shall be four years. If a student is unable to complete the course within this period, he or she may apply for an extension and will be required to pay the extension fee as per the prescribed fee structure.
Course Registration:
Online registration for the course is open on the Senate website in October and November each year. The last date of registration with a late fee is 15 December. The hard copy of the Registration Form (print-out copy) along with the full documents of students should be submitted to the Dean, SCEPTRE, Kolkata, on or before 15 January of the following year. The Registration Form should be submitted along with the following documents:
1.Copies of academic certificates or mark sheets of all relevant qualifications.
2. Certificate of birth registration or other acceptable documents like HSLC admit card, Passport, Driving License, or PAN Card as evidence of date of birth.
3. Church membership certificate.
4. A written statement from the candidate declaring that he/she is not enrolled in any other course under any university/institution at the same
5. Online payment transaction receipts as evidence of payment of the required fees.
6. Applications submitted without any of the above documents will be rejected.
Annual Contact Seminar
The SCEPTRE office shall conduct an intensive one-week annual online contact seminar for direct students and those enrolled through approved examination centres in April or May to orient them in their studies. Attendance at the annual online contact seminar is compulsory for all candidates. In accordance with the Senate policy, affiliated colleges shall conduct contact seminars for their students. Annual contact seminar fees must be paid annually.
Online Examination Registration
All students are required to fill up the online examination registration form from 1 to 30 June. The last date of filling up the online examination registration form with a late fee is 15 July. The hard copy of the examination registration form (printout copy) should be submitted to the office of the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College, Serampore, on or before 31 July. In case of a change of examination centre, a consent letter from the Principal or head of the institution must also be enclosed.
Examinations and Evaluation:
1. The Annual Examination will be conducted by the Senate of Serampore College during October/November each year.
2. Serampore College, all affiliated Colleges, SCEPTRE, and approved examination centres serve as centres for the Senate examinations. All candidates are normally expected to take their examination at one of these centres.
3. Each paper shall be of three hours’ duration. The maximum marks for each paper shall be 100, and the paper shall cover the subject matter indicated in the syllabus.
4. Students may write a minimum of six papers and a maximum of twelve papers during one annual examination.
5. A candidate (direct under the Senate) applying for permission to write the examination at an affiliated college or approved examination centre must obtain prior permission from the Principal or Head of the institution.
6. Students are required to attend the annual online contact seminar to qualify to sit for the annual examinations.
7. Candidates wishing to write the Senate examination overseas shall seek prior permission from the Registrar by submitting a written request along with a letter from the Superintendent of Examination before 15 July of the year of examination. The Senate shall determine the local centre, and an additional fee shall be payable in such cases.
8. All Senate examinations for Bachelor of Christian Studies shall normally be evaluated by two examiners.
9. A candidate may apply for re-evaluation of any answer script within ten days from the date of announcement of the results.
Pass and Failure in Examinations:
A candidate who fails in any paper or papers shall be regarded as having “failed” in such paper or papers and shall be 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 the candidate completes the course requirements within the prescribed time. Any change in the registration of the optional paper must be applied for through SCEPTRE on or before 31st July each year.
Standard of Pass and Class:
The minimum pass mark for each paper in the BCS examinations is 40% or a grade of C-.
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%) Results, Marksheets, and Transcripts:
1.Notification of the results of the Senate examinations, along with the grades obtained, will be published on our website (www.senateofseramporecollege.edu.in).
2. The Senate Office will send the marksheets (for all candidates) and transcripts (for qualified candidates only) to the Affiliated College/SCEPTRE/Centre after the publication of the results.
Convocation of Serampore College:
The Convocation of Serampore College is held annually. Normally, every student who has qualified for the BCS degree is expected to attend the Convocation and receive his/her degree in person. Candidates who have been granted the degree in absentia should apply to the Senate for the degree, enclosing the online payment receipt for the in-absentia fee or a Demand Draft drawn in favour of the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College.
Bridge to Other Degrees:
1. A BCS degree holder may join the 2nd year of the BD course as an upgrader. He/she is required to complete a two-year residential course. The candidate must also pass the English papers (BOS11 and BOS12) prior to admission to the BD
BCS First and Second Division students may register directly for the MCS programme.
3. BCS degree holders who have completed a two-year BD residential course are also eligible for the MTh course.
Important Dates:
1.New registration for the course should be done during October and November.
2. Hard copy of the registration form along with supporting documents shall be submitted to the office of the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College, on or before 15 January of the following year.
3. An Annual online contact seminar (for one week) shall be conducted in April or May every year.
4. Contact Seminar fee shall be paid before or during the seminar. A late fee shall be charged for payment after the seminar.
5. Online examination registration should be done between 1 to 30 June. The last date of filling up the online examination registration form with a late fee is 15 July each year.
6. The hard copy of the examination registration form (printout copy) should be submitted to the office of the Registrar, Senate of Serampore College, Serampore, on or before 31 July.
7. The annual examinations for each course shall be conducted in October/November each year.
For Online Registration /Application
Click here