South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies [SAIACS] Bangalore Admission 2024: Admission form, Entrance Exam

Bangalore, Karnataka

Private College

The South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS) is a one of a kind institute dedicated to the study and research of Christian theology in India. It was started in the year 1981 and is located in Bangalore, Karnataka.

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies offers postgraduate courses in Theology (MTh/M. Phil), Divinity (MDiv), Theological Studies and Theology (M.A TS, M.A Th), Ph.D. programmes in seven specializations, a certificate (CCS) and a diploma course (DCS) in Christian Studies and a certificate course in Theological Librarianship. Besides these, the institute also offers online programmes like M.A in Biblical Studies, M.A in Leadership, Bible For All (BFA) and Doctor of Ministry.

Candidates applying to the MTh/M. Phil (Th) courses must hold MDiv degree with minimum 55%/B+ grade from Asia Theological Association (ATA) approved college.
MDiv degree holders with B grade average/50% from an ATA college and those with B+ grade average/55% from a non-ATA college must write SAIACS Qualifying Exam and obtain minimum B+ grade to qualify for writing the entrance exam.
Applicants with B grade average in ATA and non-ATA colleges must complete a pre-MTh course with B+ grade in addition to clearing the Qualifying Exam with the B+ grade.
Candidates with B grade/50% in Bachelor’s or BTh course can apply for MDiv/M.A (TS)/M.A (Th) and those with A grade can apply for Lateral Entry in 2nd Year M.A (TS).
M.A (Biblical Studies) applicants must hold Bachelor’s degree in Theology (BTh/BD) or any secular stream with pass marks.
M.A (Leadership) applicants must hold University degrees or MA/MBA degrees with minimum 50% marks.
Ph. D applicants must hold MTh or equivalent degrees with minimum B+ grade average/55% and complete the requisite language studies.
Two years full-time supervised Christian ministry experience is mandatory for applying to the Postgraduate and Ph. D courses.
Eligible candidates have to appear for an institute level entrance test and interview conducted by the Selection Committee.

South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies [SAIACS] Admission 2023 Highlights Table

Name of the college	South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS)
University Type	Private
Basic Admission Criteria	Merit-based
Application Mode	Online and Offline
Name of Entrance	Institute Level Entrance Exam
Entrance Mode	Offline
Scholarship	Yes

SAIACS Postgraduate Admission 2023

SAIACS offers MTh/M. Phil (Th) courses in seven specializations approved by Asia Theological Association. It also offers M.Div. and M.A. courses in Theological Studies and Theology. Candidates applying for Old Testament and New Testament Specializations must complete 2 exegetical courses in Hebrew and Greek respectively. Those specializing in Study of Religions must complete the equivalent of 2 exegetical courses in Urdu/Sanskrit/Arabic. Apply for PG Courses

Candidates can apply online on the institute website. Eligible candidates are called for an entrance exam conducted at the institute. Those who clear the exam are called for an interview. The final decision is taken by the Selection Committee of SAIACS. Selected candidates are informed directly by the academic office of the institute.

Course Name	Specialization	Minimum Eligibility	Selection Criteria
MTh/M. Phil (Th)	Old Testament	MDiv with B+ grade average/55% from ATA accredited college. MDiv with B grade/ 50% from ATA college and MDiv with B+ grade/55% from non-ATA college must appear for Qualifying Exam. MDiv with B grade from ATA/non-ATA colleges must complete Pre-MTh course.	Qualifying exam score and/or Pre-MTh score (if applicable), Entrance exam scores and interview performance.
	New Testament
	Missiology
	Pastoral Theology and Counselling
	Theology and Ethics
	Study of Religions
M.A. (TS)	-	B.Th. with B grade/50% marks. B.Th. with B grade (50%) from non-ATA colleges and BTh with B grade (45%) from ATA colleges must appear for Qualifying Exam. B.Th. with A grade from ATA approved college can apply for Lateral Entry.
M.Div.	-
MA (Th)	-	Bachelors/B.Th. with B grade/50% marks. BA (Hons) Theology with minimum 40 credits for MA (Th) Lateral Entry.

Key Points:

Special Admission to MA (TS) course is offered to candidates with significant Christian ministry experience.
The MTh/M. Phil course includes a mandatory internship period.
The Pre-MTh programme does not lead to any degree and is designed to help students seeking admission to MTh/M. Phil (Th) course.

SAIACS Online Programmes and Certificate Courses Admission 2023

SAIACS offers certificate courses in Christian Studies (CCS) and Theological Librarianship (CTL), and a Diploma course in Christian Studies (DCS). Online programmes like M.A in Biblical Studies, M.A in Leadership, Bible For All (BFA) and Doctor of Ministry courses are also available. Candidates with BTh/BD/any Bachelors degree can apply for the MA (BS) course. Candidates with MA (TS) (Advanced)/MDiv/ BD/ MTh with B+ grade/55% can apply for Doctor of Ministry (DMin) programme. Pass marks in 10+2 is required for admission to the certificate courses.

Candidates need to apply online through the institute website. Shortlisted candidates are called for writing an Entrance Exam at the institute. Those applying for the M.A (Leadership) course must submit a 1500 word essay stating reasons why they want to pursue the course. Candidates who clear the test are called for interview rounds post which the Selection Committee selects candidates.

Course Name	Specialization	Minimum Eligibility	Selection Criteria
Certificate Courses	Christian Studies	Pass marks in 10+2. Pass marks in 10+2 and/or 1-year work experience in a seminary library.	Marks in qualifying exam, Entrance exam score and interview performance.
Certificate Courses	Theological Librarianship
M.A	Biblical Studies	Pass marks in BTh/BD/ any secular degree.
M.A	Leadership	50% marks in any University degree exam (eg. MA/MBA).
Doctor of Ministry	-	B+ grade average or 55% in 3 year MA (TS) (Advanced)/MDiv/BD/ MTh OR, 5 years full time ministry experience after BD/ MDiv/ equivalent.
Diploma in Christian Studies
Bible For All

Key Points:

The certificate courses are conducted over a period of 3 months.
The online M.A programmes are completed over a period of 2 years.
The D.Min. course does not lead to a Ph. D degree.

SAIACS Ph.D. Admission 2023

Ph. D courses are offered in six specializations by SAIACS, namely, Old Testament, New Testament, Theology and Ethics, Missiology, Study of Religions and Pastoral Theology. The course is divided into two components: the Pre-Doctoral Programme (PDP) and the Candidacy (includes thesis writing). The programme must be completed within 5 years after completion of PDP.

Candidates are shortlisted on the basis of applications submitted online. Candidates must possess ministry experience of t least 2 years and display high proficiency in English. Eligible candidates have to appear for an entrance exam and interview at the institute. The final decision regarding admission is made by the Selection Committee.

Course Name	Specialization	Minimum Eligibility	Selection Criteria
Ph. D	Old Testament	B+ grade/55% in MTh, Ministry experience of at least 2 years and competence in one or more research languages relevant to specialization.	Marks in qualifying exam, entrance test score and interview performance.
	New Testament
	Theology and Ethics
	Missiology
	Study of Religions
	Pastoral Theology

Key Points:

Candidates must be proficient in languages like Biblical Greek and Hebrew, one modern European language, Aramaic, Arabic, Sanskrit, Urdu, Syriac and Ugaritic, depending on the specialization opted for.
Degrees are awarded by the University of Mysore and Asia Theological Association.
Candidates must sign the ‘Termination of Studies Agreement’.

SAIACS Application Process

Candidates need to log on to the college website.
Candidates can apply online by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ link available on the college website.
The application form fee must be paid online and the transaction details must be shared to admissions@saiacs.org along with the application number.
Applicants can also pay through DD drawn in favour of SAIACS payable at Bangalore.
Candidates can also send the requisite documents to the following address:-

The Academic Office

SAIACS

Box 7747, 363 Doddagubbi Cross Road,

Kothanur Post,

Bangalore 560 077, India.