How much will seminary cost?
SAIACS hopes to make seminary as affordable as possible, and that’s why we have committed to raising funds so that students from South Asian nations can attend our institution at significantly subsidised costs. Each South Asian student is required to pay 75 percent of the total cost. Select candidates may receive a further 5-20-percent scholarship based upon their unique situation. SAIACS relies on donations and student scholarship subscriptions to enable fees to be held at the current rates.
Unless otherwise noted, fees include tuition, research supervision, use of the library, use of computer facilities, provision of study material, examination fees, graduation fee, book grant, and apartment maintenance fee.
Fees for students in the residence halls include room rent and full board. Fees for students in family apartments include apartment rent, weekday lunches, and a community dinner on Friday nights.
Visit our fees page for more information.
Can I complete a degree online?
Our completely online MA programmes in Leadership and Biblical Studies allow you to enhance the scope and impact of your influence without putting your work or ministry on hold.
The Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programme is intended for those who are engaged in full-time vocational Christian ministry. Students maintain their ministry involvement while completing this in-ministry programme with online classes and two four-week campus visits.
The “Bible for All” fully online programme equips those looking to study the Bible systematically in order to understand it and apply it to life at home and in the workplace more effectively. Students receive a grade transcript for each completed course and with nine modules you can earn a postgraduate diploma. This course can be upgraded to a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies with an accumulation of 18 modules.
Check out our course offerings to learn more.
Is this seminary accredited?
The Asia Theological Association (ATA), a member of the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education, of the World Evangelical Alliance, accredits all SAIACS degrees.
In 1997, SAIACS was recognized by the University of Mysore, a premier state university, as a research centre for study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree of the University of Mysore, Karnataka (No. CDC/F-153/96-97).
On 8 June 2011, the University of Mysore recognized SAIACS as a centre for Specialized Studies to offer MA in Theology (No.PMEB/13- South/2010-11/13).
SAIACS’ MA and MTh degrees have given entry into PhD programmes in the UK and USA.
Our living credentials are our graduates and our resident and visiting faculty. Now serving the Lord Jesus and his church in Asia and beyond, hundreds of our graduates are faculty of theological institutions. In fact, SAIACS is the largest provider of faculty in different disciplines to evangelical theological institutions in India and many more are pastors and leaders in Christian organizations.
People from all over India and other countries have studied at SAIACS—Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Canada, China, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, and USA. They return to their home areas or other lands as leaders in churches, theological education, and key Christian organizations.
How long does it take to complete a postgraduate degree at SAIACS?
The programmes at SAIACS typically follow a modular system with each module running over four weeks. A typical MTh module entails 36 classroom hours of lectures and seminars, with assignments and examinations added. Similarly, a typical MA module entails 36-45 classroom hours. MA includes Context-Based Learning in which students are placed in a supervised ministry context so that they experience practice of classroom learning.
Is chapel required?
SAIACS is more than an academic institution. Spiritual concerns are paramount, and SAIACS affirms that corporate spiritual life is both biblical and necessary for balanced personal spirituality. Chapel sessions are arranged for all on campus to come together as a community to praise God and learn from his Word.
Students are expected to attend all chapel sessions held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, prayer days, and corporate devotions unless prevented by illness. Chapel speakers include faculty, staff, students, visiting professors, and guest speakers. Prayer and praise times may be held occasionally.
Worship is held for the whole SAIACS community, and spouses on campus are welcome to attend chapel sessions. The chapel is also available for students to use for prayer and meditation during the day.
Are you associated with a particular denomination?
SAIACS has an evangelical ethos and is a multi-denominational theological institution that encourages Christlike service, faithful study of the Bible, excellence in reflective thinking, equal acceptance of all people, the ability to communicate contextually, accountability, respect for advanced theological education for the church, and care for the environment. We want our graduates to zealously bring the gospel into all the world and make disciples for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
You may come to SAIACS with the recommendation of your church leaders and the support of your congregation. While here, we expect that you are associated with and involved in a church of the same denomination and attend regularly, as much as possible. Becoming a supporter of the worship and witness of your church brings you into contact with those outside of college life. It is expected that you attend a service each Sunday. For some, living in Bangalore is also a chance to learn from other churches.
What is your statement of faith?
Our statement of faith defines why we give priority to the spiritual nurturing and development of the whole campus community. Visit our Theological Distinctives page to learn more.