The college was established in 1943 as the Belfast Bible School and Missionary Training Home.[1] It moved to its present site, Glenburn House in 1983.[1] At the time, the college had just 35 full-time students.[1]
The 2011 graduation took place in St. Annes Cathedral, Belfast, in attendance was the Lord Mayor of Belfast.[2]
The college had been one of the constituent colleges of the Institute of Theology and offered degrees through Queen's University, Belfast.[3] Following Queen's decision to end the validating of programmes through the institute from 2019, degrees are awarded just by Cumbria.[4]
Entry requirements to undergraduate courses are typically two grades at 'C' or above at A-Level.[5][6] Entry requirements for the Graduate Diploma are typically an undergraduate degree graded 2.2 or higher as well as one year of active engagement in some form of Christian Ministry.[7] Applicants to the MA Theology programme must typically achieve an undergraduate honours degree classed as 2.1 or above in any subject. They must also have "a reasonable amount of experience in serving in Christian Ministry."[8] All courses can be studied both full- and part-time.[5][6][7][8]
James Burnett has now succeeded Dr Helen Warnock as principal of Belfast Bible College who had, in turn, succeeded Dr. Patrick Mitchel as Principal in 2016, Dr Mitchel had been principal from August 2015. Rev Dr. Ian Dickson was appointed principal in 2011.[9] David Shepard served as principal from 2005 until 2011.[10] Victor Reid served as principal form 1972 until 1988. R. J. Taylor served as principal of Belfast Bible School in its early years.
