FAQ

Bhaktivedanta College is a reputable international institute that draws on ancient Indian wisdom to nurture motivated, well-integrated, and independently thoughtful young adults. In a supportive and spiritually uplifting environment, the College enables students to realise their academic and vocational potentials, apply Krishna conscious principles to contemporary lifestyles, and make lasting contributions to all worthy areas of human endeavor. Read more here: bhaktivedantacollege.com/about-us/vision-mission-statements/

Read about the aims of the course leading to a BA in Theology and Religious Studies (TRS) here: bhaktivedantacollege.com/program/theology/

and about the course leading to a BA in Education Studies, Theology and Religion (ETR) here: bhaktivedantacollege.com/program/education/

Bhaktivedanta College is in partnership with the University of Chester, an acknowledged centre for Theology and Religious Studies in the U.K. After three years of studies, students are awarded an accredited Bachelor’s degree. In September 2013 Bhaktivedanta College will offer online, for the first time, a course leading to a BA in Theology and Religious Studies. An on-site course leading to a Master’s degree in Theology and Religious Studies may be launched in September 2014.

Bhaktivedanta College is a non-profit educational initiative overseen by the ISKCON Ministry of Educational Development and a Board of Trustees. The College’s Faculty Council deals with the academic standards and quality assurance. The management is done by its Administrative Council.

One must have a secondary education diploma or be a mature student above 22 years of age. Applicants who do not have a high school diploma should at least have two A levels plus three different GCSE passes at grade C or above. The College does look at individual cases on the basis of the submitted application. Students of all ages are welcome. In the study year 2012-13 we had students from 18 to 50 years of age.

For the application to be complete, we need the following:

- Filled-in Student application form:

bhaktivedantacollege.com/admission/application-for-the-programmes/

- 50 Eur (processing fee):

bhaktivedantacollege.com/admission/

- If English is not your first language, the College requires proof of your ability to study in the English medium. This may be demonstrated by a certificate of IELTS (score of no less than 6.5 in any category); TOEFL, with minimum score of 79 (iBT), 213 (CBT), 550 (paper); or Cambridge Exam (CAE).

- Copies of the high school diploma and a mark transcript.

All these documents can be sent to us by e-mail.

You can apply any time before the application deadline, which is April 1st.

The yearly tuition for 2012-13 was 4,900 Eur for BA (Hons) in Theology and Religious Studies and 5,950 Eur for BA (Hons) in Education Studies, Theology and Religion. It is a package price: accommodation and prasada are included. More details are given under Costs:

bhaktivedantacollege.com/admission/costs/

The yearly tuition is split into three installments, which are to be payed at the beginning of each semester (September, January and April). You can pay by bank transfer, Paypal, or Credit card. You will find the necessary information here:

bhaktivedantacollege.com/admission/

We encourage students to find sponsors through their local ISKCON temple or congregation.

For information on scholarships, please Contact Us: bhaktivedantacollege.com/contact/

For more information on scholarships, please Contact Us: bhaktivedantacollege.com/contact/

The academic year runs from mid-September through June. Each of the three terms run for eleven to twelve weeks. The terms are separated by a two-week break at Christmas and a two-week break around mid-March. Generally all the Bhaktivedanta College courses last for one or two weeks. Some weeks are set aside for writing essays, preparing presentations, or studying for exams.

The academic topics include philosophy and theology, religious studies, scriptural studies and practical theology. At the end of Year 3, students are required to write a dissertation on any of the chosen areas, agreed upon with a mentor. The curriculum is fun yet challenging. The College facilitates the devotional, intellectual, artistic, cultural, and missionary aspirations of the students. Thus the curriculum includes all these aspects, and the courses contain varied teaching methods to best involve the students in the process of learning. Each course has its own mood and is exciting and inspiring.

There are a variety of assignments, depending on the nature of the course. Some courses require essays or other samples of writing. Some require exams. Others require group or individual presentations made to the class. There may be required reading or research for academic courses. After each course, there is usually a time reserved for essay writing, studying for exams, or preparing a presentation.

At the heart of all our programs is our exceptional faculty. They are both leading scholars in their fields and mature Vaishnavas, an ideal combination to support your academic and spiritual pursuits. One of the requirements for a faculty member is that he or she demonstrate personal integrity, expertise in the field, and competence as a teacher, lecturer, and mentor. Read more under Staff:

bhaktivedantacollege.com/about-us/academic-staff/

Students are offered full support through mentoring and career guidance. Each student has a personal mentor and an academic tutor, with whom they can discuss personal difficulties and goals. Career guidance enables students to move in a direction suited to their talents and aspirations. The College maintains strong links with its international partners, and many students have an opportunity to undertake work- or research-based placement after their study, relevant to both their worldly and spiritual aspirations.

 The numbers vary from year to year. In 2002-03, the first year, there were nine full-time students. In 2011-12, there were twenty-three students (about half men and half women). Students come from different backgrounds (devotee families, nondevotee families) and cultures (thirteen countries).

The College offers two interactive classrooms for courses. Students can study in peace in the College library. There is a commons room with wireless Internet access, where students can chat or talk.

They can take advantage of visiting a pure vegetarian restaurant, gift shop, bakery and the Museum of Sacred Art, which are all part of the Radhadesh community.

Students live in rooms in the temple and college buildings, ladies and men separate. There are usually two students in one room. There is a common bathroom for each ashram. The College has its own laundry room.

There are living facilities for families in Radhadesh, but these are limited. For more information, please contact us: here.

The students attend the morning program at the Radhadesh temple, which is followed by breakfast. The morning classes run from 10 AM till 1.30 PM, followed by lunch. Afternoon classes (if required for the course) run from 3 PM until 6 PM, followed by an evening snack of fresh bread and butter and milk. Gaura-arati is at 7 PM.

The college students may lead kirtans, make garlands, and sometimes cook breakfast and serve prasada. All such services to the temple community are voluntary. The students take part in monthly home programs and harinams, and they stage dramas for major festivals. One of the favorite services is participating in the evening kirtans for the pleasure of Sri Sri Radha-Gopinatha.

Belgium has fresh summers, with an average temperature around 18°C, and long but moderate winters (average 8°C). Bring warm clothes. Spring and autumn are incredibly colorful, with some rain, but usually not enough to need an umbrella.

Please bring money for minor expenses (study supplies, birthday presents, pizza and ice-cream in the restaurant). Regular temple prasada consists of three meals a day. You can purchase whatever you need during the year in the Radhadesh boutique or local shops and supermarkets. Students need to bring their own laptops.

The Radhadesh temple operates a transport service at reasonable rates. All you need to do is call a driver and make an appointment for a car ride. The College has its own car, with seven seats, which is available for experienced drivers to rent. Students organize themselves on a weekly basis to go shopping locally.

There are various prospects for graduates. Read more:

TRS bhaktivedantacollege.com/program/theology/

ETR bhaktivedantacollege.com/program/education/

 

According to the University of Chester, is it possible for holders of a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Religious studies from Bhaktivedanta College to pursue postgraduate studies in a discipline other than theology or religious studies?

There is no straightforward, universal answer to this question. While some institutions or programmes will regard the Bachelor’s degree in Theology suitable, others will not necessarily do so, but will require subject-specific foundational studies. While Theology or Religious studies BA/BTh will demonstrate a good level of education and required academic ability, many programs will have subject-specific entry requirements. So it is best to make enquiries about specific programs at the institution where you plan to enroll.

To get to Bhaktivedanta College, please follow the Directions here.

Bhaktivedanta College
Petite Somme 10
6940 Septon-Durbuy
Belgium
Telephone: 00 32 86 32 32 77
Fax: 00 32 86 32 20 29
e-mail: secretary@bhaktivedantacollege.com

Office hours:
Monday – Friday: 9.00 – 12.00 and 14.30 – 15.30