From its very beginning, Oak Hill Theological College has existed to make theological education accessible, affordable, and rooted in service to the church. Today, we are delighted to announce a new range of bursaries that renew and extend that founding vision for a new generation of students.
Oak Hill was born in the aftermath of the First World War, at a time when the Church of England faced an acute shortage of evangelical clergy. Many gifted candidates lacked either the formal qualifications or the financial means to undertake theological training. Our founder, Charles Baring Young, recognised both the urgency of the need and the injustice of financial barriers preventing people from responding to God’s call.
Baring Young’s vision was radical for its time. Despite coming from a privileged background, he was committed to opening up ministerial training to those beyond traditional educational and social elites. When Oak Hill College opened in 1932, it was deliberately established to serve students who could not otherwise afford theological education — a commitment that has shaped the college ever since.
In that same spirit, Oak Hill is now introducing new bursaries alongside our existing support, ensuring that cost is not the deciding factor in whether someone can pursue deep theological training.
First, we are launching a Residential Student Bursary. While Oak Hill offers a wide range of flexible study options, we remain convinced of the formative value of full-time residential training where circumstances allow. To help offset the costs of moving and living on site, students studying full time and living residentially at Oak Hill will be eligible for a means-tested 20% reduction in fees.
Second, we are introducing a Smaller Church Partnership Bursary, reflecting our conviction that churches of every size should be able to equip leaders for ministry. For churches with an annual income of under £100,000, Oak Hill will offer a 50% reduction in fees for accepted students sent by that church, for the duration of their programme.
These new bursaries sit alongside Oak Hill’s established funding support and are part of our continuing commitment to removing financial barriers to theological education. Applications for bursaries are made annually, with full details available via our website.
Nearly a century on, Oak Hill remains committed to Baring Young’s founding conviction: that theological training should be shaped by calling, not constrained by cost.
