LST Raising Theologians Scholarships
Applications window is now open for 2024 admissions. To apply for a scholarship with London School of Theology you should already have been accepted for a place to study with us.
London School of Theology offers a range of annual scholarships to students able to demonstrate financial need, exceptional academic ability / potential, or both.
Our Raising Theologians Scholarships are available at undergraduate and postgraduate level and across all programmes. They include scholarships covering fees and / or accommodation for one or more years.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for an undergraduate low-income support award, you must fulfil the following criteria:
- Have a family income below £35,000 (or £29,500 for a single person)
- Not be in receipt of a tuition fee loan and maintenance loan from Student Finance England.
| Annual family income | Scholarship applied against your student account | Additional Scholarship* | Maximum total scholarship entitlement | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than or equal to £21,000 | £2,500 | £1,000 | £3,500 | |
| Greater than £21,000 and less than or equal to £25,000 | £2,000 | £1,000 | £3,000 | |
| Greater than £25,000 and less than or equal to £35,000 | £1,000 | £1,000 | £2,000 |
*Additional scholarships are targeted at students most in need. LST will pay additional support of £1,000 to students who meet the criteria above and one or more of the following:
- Students who are Carers, Care Leavers or at risk of becoming homeless.
- Mature students aged 21 or over at the start of their undergraduate course.
- Students in receipt of the Parents Learning Allowance, Childcare Grant, Adult Dependents Grant.
- Students in receipt of Disabled Students’ Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
To qualify for a scholarship based on academic achievement or your potential enhanced contribution to the mission of London School of Theology (both undergraduate and postgraduate), please use the Statement of Support and Other Information sections of the application to describe your reasons. For these awards the amounts will vary depending on the level of academic ability / the recommendation of the programme leader of the programme / course you have applied for, and the number of successful applications received.
Terms & Conditions
Scholarships are available for new full and part-time students. For multi-year awards, payment of scholarship money after the first year is dependent on satisfactory academic performance.
To qualify for a postgraduate financial need-based award slightly different criteria are considered, and the committee will decide on an amount based on the individual’s disclosed circumstances. Please use the Statement of Support section of the application to describe your financial situation.
Silas Trust Scholarships
Silas Trust mission is “Renewing lives by all means possible.” Purpose of these scholarships is to equip the church today and prepare it for tomorrow.
LST is privileged to partner with the Silas Trust and offer two undergraduate scholarships:
a) one three-year 50% onsite/blended FT scholarship.
b) one three-year 50% online FT scholarship*
* Online scholarship is reserved for a student from the majority world.
Theological Training scholarship for those who have graduated in another field.
A partial tuition fee scholarship for students for 2024-2025 academic year if:
- This will be their first theological degree, but they have graduated in another field prior to starting at LST.
- They are not eligible for Student Loan (due to that previous degree).
- They are committed to build a career in Christian ministry in UK or Republic of Ireland in church leadership or charitable Christian organisation or evangelical research thereafter.
Deadline: 15th May 2024. Please send an expression of interest to fundraising@lst.ac.uk by the deadline.
The candidates will apply independently and directly to a trust that is an LST partner.
Theology & Music Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available, which will be awarded after an applicant’s ability is successfully shown at audition/interview.
- 50% off accommodation charges for any year a student opts to live on campus.
- For gifted instrumentalists applying to the Theology & Music programme.
London School of Theology also offers bursaries for students in financial need, but these are only available for students once they have commenced their studies with us. Please email studentfunding@lst.ac.uk if you wish to apply for a bursary.
Scholarship and Bursary Committee Dates 2023-2024
Bursaries Committee: 15th May 2024
Scholarships Committee: 3rd July 2024
Scholarship and Bursary Committee Dates 2024-25
18th September 2024 (Research & Scholarships)
13th November 2024 (Bursaries)
12th February 2025 (Bursaries)
2nd April 2025 (Scholarships)
14th May 2025 (Bursaries)
2nd July 2025 (Scholarships)
What I need to know before filling an application form?
Scholarships are assessed against a number of criteria, in no particular order, these are explained here:
Mature student – for Undergraduate courses over 21 and for postgraduate courses over 25.
Carer – student of any age who provides unpaid support to someone who could not manage without this help. This could be caring for a relative, partner, or friend who is ill, frail, disabled, or has mental health problems.
Care leaver – an adult who has spent time in foster or residential care, or in other arrangements outside their immediate or extended family before the age of 18.
Minority Ethnic background – non-white students, who are less represented according to The Higher Education Statistics Agency.
Low household income – persistent low income is defined as having 60% or less of the median (average) UK income in at least 3 out of 4 years which in the UK was £35,000 in the financial year ending 2023. You are also from a low household income If you or parent(s) receive Income Support or any other income-related benefits from the Government.
Low socioeconomic status is defined as ‘never worked and/or long-term unemployed’.
Low Higher Education participation area – students from state schools or colleges and low–participation neighbourhoods as identified in data gathered by the Office for Students (OfS). LST will compare your educational data against OfS data to confirm.
Homeless – homelessness means not having a home, staying with friends or in a hostel, if you don’t have rights to stay where you are, or you live in unsuitable housing.
Disability – you’re disabled under the Equality Act 2010 if you have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ negative effect on your ability to do normal daily activities.
What other funds are available?
There are some specific additional funds available by programme and based on student origin / background, which will be taken into account when considering the applications.
- Tuition Discount for Married Couples of 25% applies to the Programme Fees of one partner of a married couple when both are studying for a full-time or part-time taught course at LST (the discount applies to Undergraduate and Master/Postgraduate Diploma programmes only and to the lower of the 2 sets of fees).
- All Masters’ Programme Fees: 20% scholarship for long-term missionaries and those in full time ministry. We would require evidence of your status e.g. for missionaries’ proof from your Mission Board and we would want to discuss your financial situation further before granting the award.
What academic evidence is needed?
You would have already supplied scans of certificates / mark sheets from any previous qualifications, degrees, prizes or other awards when you made your programme application. Recommendations from teachers, predicted grades, report cards and similar documents can also be supplied as additional evidence.
What financial evidence is needed?
For financial needs-based scholarships we will need to see evidence of your household income and/or proof that you or your family is receiving some benefit from a Government scheme. You should attach copies of 6-month of bank statements and any other relevant statements that would confirm the above.
What about references?
You can upload your reference letters or recommendation letters from your church or from your previous educational institution.
What are the deadlines?
Scholarships funds are finite and released three times a year, so the earlier you apply for them the more chance you have of being successful.