Academic Standards and Others

For every Chinese church in Europe to have its own pastor and for each pastor to be properly equipped.

ICBSIE’s Vision

Academic Standards

Academic Status & Legal Disclaimer ICBSIE operates as a provider of theological higher education. In 2025, ICBSIE received ATA accreditation for the second time. Our theological programmes are vocational qualifications designed in strict accordance with the standards of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the European Council for Theological Education (ECTE).

Legal and Academic Status of Qualifications (Disclaimer) The International Chinese Biblical Seminary in Europe (ICBSIE) operates as a provider of higher theological education. To ensure absolute transparency with our stakeholders, prospective students, and regulatory bodies, our academic and legal standing is defined as follows:

  • EQF Alignment & Vocational Nature: All theological programmes at ICBSIE are designed in strict accordance with the standards of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and the guidelines of the European Council for Theological Education (ECTE).
  • Second Cycle Programmes (EQF Level 7): The Second Cycle Programme in Divinity, Second Cycle Programme in Biblical Studies, and Second Cycle Programme in Pastoral Ministry are private vocational qualifications (títulos propios) intended specifically for pastoral, ecclesiastical, and academic ministry. They are not state-recognized university degrees under Spanish secular law. To maintain strict compliance with European nomenclature standards, ICBSIE utilizes the “Second Cycle Programme” designation globally across both its English and Chinese official documentation.
  • First Cycle Programme (EQF Level 6): The First Cycle Programme in Theology is legally safeguarded and endorsed through our formal partnership with IBSTE, whose first-cycle theological degree is fully recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education.

Academic Programmes & Workload

Workload Definition & ECTS Standards: ICBSIE strictly operates on the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). All programme workloads are calculated using the universal institutional metric of 1 ECTS = 27 student workload hours.

Core Programmes & Curriculum:

Second Cycle Programme in Divinity (EQF Level 7)
  • Duration & Workload: 3 years full-time (maximum completion period is 8 years). 155 ECTS. Features a six-semester on-campus residency requirement.
  • Program Objectives: Designed for believers holding a recognized Bachelor’s degree (EQF Level 6) who possess a full-time vocational calling. This programme provides a comprehensive systematic equipping to lay a firm biblical and theological foundation for ordained ministry. The curriculum emphasizes the deep fusion of original language exegesis, systematic study, and practical operation within the European mission landscape.
  • [ 📄 Download Full Divinity Curriculum (PDF) ]
Second Cycle Programme in Biblical Studies (EQF Level 7)
  • Duration & Workload: 2 years full-time (maximum completion period is 8 years). 103 ECTS. Features a four-semester on-campus residency requirement.
  • Program Objectives: A highly specialized academic track designed to enhance students’ exegetical abilities in biblical languages (Greek and Hebrew). It lays a solid methodological foundation for future advanced theological research (Th.M / Ph.D.) or specialized teaching roles in churches and organizations.
  • [ 📄 Download Full Biblical Studies Curriculum (PDF) ]
Second Cycle Programme in Pastoral Ministry (EQF Level 7)
  • Duration & Workload: 2 years full-time (maximum completion period is 8 years). 103 ECTS. Features a four-semester on-campus residency requirement.
  • Program Objectives: Tailored specifically for experienced practitioners holding a recognized Bachelor’s degree (EQF Level 6). The core curriculum organically balances pastoral theory and practice, effectively enhancing professional competencies in crisis counseling, leadership, and church administration to respond to complex pastoral environments in the European diaspora.
  • [ 📄 Download Full Pastoral Ministry Curriculum (PDF) ]
First Cycle Programme in Theology (EQF Level 6)

[ 📄 Download Full Theology Curriculum (PDF) ]

Duration & Workload: 3 years full-time (maximum completion period is 8 years). 190 ECTS. Features a six-semester on-campus residency requirement. Endorsed by IBSTE.

Program Objectives: Designed for believers with a European secondary school leaving certificate (e.g., Bachillerato, High School Diploma) who have a full-time calling. It compresses a standard undergraduate workload into an intensive three-year residential format. Uniquely, the curriculum structurally mandates Liberal Arts components (Western Classics, European Philosophy) to cultivate cross-cultural literacy and deep contextual understanding of European culture.

Faculty Excellence

Our faculty comprises scholar-practitioners who hold advanced degrees from globally recognized institutions. The resident faculty is dedicated to accompanying students through their academic and spiritual formation within our “Living Community.”

Rev. Dr. Vincent Aun: Practical Ministry. D.Min., China Evangelical Seminary (Taiwan).

Rev. Dr. Wesley Hu: Old Testament. Ph.D., University of Toronto.

Dr. Ruby Lee: Old Testament. Ph.D., University of Toronto.

Dr. Dorothy Yu Wang: New Testament. Ph.D., London School of Theology.

Dr. Sunny Kuan-Hui Wang: New Testament. Ph.D., Durham University.

Rev. Dr. Luke Zheng: Church History. Ph.D., Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Holistic Integration & Contextualized Learning

ICBSIE operates on a highly integrated “Living Community” teaching model. Informal education is fully quantified and integrated into the pedagogical framework and ECTS workload, featuring:

Creation Stewardship: Students actively engage in credit-bearing civic responsibilities, such as Mediterranean beach cleanup initiatives, to bridge theological praxis with local European civil society.

Situated Learning & Field Internships: Students are placed in supervised church practicums across Europe to gain practical, contextualized experience. History modules frequently include academic expeditions to significant European theological sites.

Mentorship & Community Life: Students participate in faculty-led Spiritual Formation Groups, mandatory deep-mentoring conversations, and daily communal responsibilities.

Admissions & Financial Transparency

ICBSIE maintains clear, transparent admission standards and a subsidized 30/70 financial model, where student fees cover approximately 30% of actual operational costs.

Annual Fees for Full-Time Residential Students (2025-2026 Academic Year):

  • Second Cycle Programmes (EQF Level 7) Tuition & Registration: €3,100 / Year (Breakdown: €900 Registration + €2,200 Tuition)
  • First Cycle Programme (EQF Level 6) Tuition & Registration: €4,100 / Year (Breakdown: €1,200 Registration + €2,900 Tuition)
  • Room & Board (Living Expenses):
    • Accommodation: €470 – €650 / Month (depending on room selection)
    • Meals: €235 / Month (Total estimated living and study expenses amount to roughly €10,500 per year).

For part-time/hybrid track fees, payment methods, and institutional financial aid opportunities, please contact the Administration Office.