MPhil Biblical Studies (Old or New Testament Concentration)

The Department of Islamic Studies was renamed in 2005 as the Department of Religious Studies to be a model of interfaith harmony and representative of the vision of the founder of Pakistan who once stated, “We are starting in the days when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.”

The Department of Religious Studies contributes to fulfill the mission, vision and values of FCCU by creating an atmosphere that is conducive to character building, liberal arts education, higher order thinking skills, and inter-faith relations. Here students have the opportunity to study in a religiously diverse environment where they work together with people of different religious faiths, ethnicity and culture. The Department adopts an interdisciplinary approach to the academic study of religion to provide students a broader understanding of the role of religion in human life. Although most courses offered by the Department are on Islam and Christianity, we do not endorse a particular creed or sectarian position.

The Department of Religious Studies offers five streams: BA (Hons) Islamic Studies, BA (Hons) Christian Studies, BS (Hons) Christian Studies, Certificate in Biblical Language (18 credits), and MPhil Biblical Studies. The lower-division courses for each concentration are designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of their respective major, while the upper-division courses provide them with depth and breadth of knowledge.

Admission Criteria

  • A 4-year Bachelor’s degree (completed with at least 2.0 CGPA) from any HEC-recognized university, or a conventional MA/MSc (completed with at least 60% marks).
  • Successful completion of the 18-credit Certificate in Biblical Language from Forman Christian College or its equivalent.
  • Passing examinations in Biblical Knowledge, Christian Theology and English.
Note: Passing examinations in Biblical Knowledge, Christian Theology and English, and Postgraduate Entrance Admission Test (PEAT).

Provisional admission can be sought by students awaiting final results. Their admission will only be confirmed once they have submitted their complete official Transcript within the due dates.

Required Documents

  1. Attested copy of the original Matriculation / O Level result (web downloaded results are not acceptable).
    • In case of the O Level, a minimum of 8 subjects must have been passed. They should include English, Mathematics and 3 compulsory subjects (Pakistan Studies, Islamiyat and Urdu).
  2. Attested copy of the original Intermediate / A Level / High School / IB result (web downloaded results are not acceptable).
    • In case of the A Level, a minimum of 3 subjects must have been passed.
  3. Attested copy of the O and A Level, High School or IB Equivalence Certificate (whichever applicable) issued by the IBCC.
  4. Attested copies of the final transcript and degree of 4-year Honors / 2-year Conventional Bachelor’s and 2-year Conventional Master’s.
    • In case you have not received your degree yet, you are required to apply for it.
  5. Students can submit their Transcript at least till the 7th semester at the time of Admission Form submission. If offered admission, it will be a provisional offer; they must submit an attested copy of their complete official Transcript within 30 days of the beginning of the semester.
  6. Students having a foreign Bachelor’s Degree must get their Equivalence from the Higher Education Commission (HEC).
  7. Two Reference Letters.
  8. Statement of Purpose (300 – 500 words) describing the reason(s) why the student is applying to the program, long-term goals and the reason(s) for selecting Forman Christian College (A Chartered University).
  9. One recent passport-sized photograph.
  10. One copy each of the Student’s CNIC and of the Father/Guardian.
  11. Receipt of the Application Processing Fee (Rs. 4000).

Note: All documents submitted must be attested by a Gazetted Officer.

Payment Modes for Admission Processing Fee

  1. Please click here for instructions on how to pay your Application Processing Fee over the counter in HBL, UBL, Meezan & Allied Bank.
  2. Please click here for instructions on how to pay your Application Processing Fee through HBL, Meezan Bank & UBL Mobile App & Internet Banking.
  3. Please click here to pay the Application Processing Fee online.

In case you are not located in Lahore, you can send us the Admission Form along with all the required documents through Courier. You would need to make a Pay Order of Rs. 3500 from any Branch of HBL in the name of ‘Forman Christian College’. Then send us the Courier at ‘Admissions Office, Ahmad Saeed Administration Building, Forman Christian College, Ferozepur Road, Lahore 54600’.

In case of any query, contact nasirgill@fccollege.edu.pk.

  • An international and highly qualified faculty with degrees from respected foreign theological institutions.
  • Integration of Biblical theology with competence in Biblical language.
  • Integration of the practice of spiritual formation along with quality academic research.
  • A high ratio of faculty to students to enable personal attention and instruction.
  • All the benefits of earning a postgraduate degree from a highly respected university.

Click Here to apply

Click Here for the Merit List.

Click here for the Department Test Sample Paper.
Click here for the Postgraduate Entrance Admission Test (PEAT) Sample Paper.

  • Qualification to teach in any educational institute, including any HEC accredited university in Pakistan.
  • Qualification to enter foreign PhD programs in Biblical Studies.
  • Competence in interpreting biblical passages in the original language.
  • Competence in producing theological literature for Pakistani Pastors, Teachers, and Lay people.

APPLY HERE

Forman Christian College offers a Certificate in Biblical Language for either Old Testament Hebrew or New Testament Greek.  Students in the certificate program study a sequence of four courses (Greek 1 or Hebrew 1, Greek 2 or Hebrew 2, Greek 3 or Hebrew 3 or Greek 4 or Hebrew 4).  In addition, students study 2 additional courses, an exegesis course or a reading course in their chosen biblical language.  This sequence takes 2 full years of part-time study plus summer school.

This certificate program is unique in Pakistan. Those successfully completing the certificate may gain several potential benefits:

  • Significantly enhanced skills in interpreting the Bible for Pastors or Bible Teachers
  • Qualification to teach basic Biblical language introduction courses for either Greek or Hebrew in a Bible college or Christian educational institution or NGO
  • Eligibility to apply for admission to advanced theological study, either to the MPhil in Biblical Studies program offered by Forman Christian College (A Chartered University) or to foreign Postgraduate programs in theology
  • Enhanced ability for researching ancient Greek writers using Koine Greek (which is very close to Classical Greek), a skill which could be valuable for historians, philosophers or those studying religions
  • Enhanced ability for researching the Hebrew religion using Old Testament Hebrew, a skill which could be valuable for those studying religions

Salient Features

  • Two Concentration areas: Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament (Koine) Greek
  • Highly qualified foreign-trained Professors
  • Smaller classes with individualized attention
  • Earning a certificate from an HEC approved University

Who may enroll in this program?  Anyone eligible for admission to the Honors (BA/BS) degree program of Forman Christian College

Note:  This certificate is required for admission into Forman Christian College’s MPhil in Biblical Studies

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