The Beda College is a self-contained community within a spacious and modern building.

Built on Vatican territory in 1960, the College remains an "extra-territorial enclave" and is opposite the
Basilica of St Paul Outside he Walls.
With good public transport and easy access to the eart of Rome and Vatican City, the Beda provides a daily encounter with the rich heritage of the city and the earliest beginnings of the Christian community and the Church from apostolic times, as well as the daily bustle of a modern European city.

The Beda programme of formation lasts four years and includes programmes of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation. As required by the Church, the course includes Scripture, Philosophy, Liturgy, Dogmatic Theology, Moral Theology, Spiritual Theology, Homiletics, Canon Law and Church History. Pastoral Theology and Human Formation provide a continuous core throughout a person’s time at the Beda.: in every semester there is careful allocation of time to nourish human growth and pastoral awareness. The courses are designed to provide a thorough and balanced preparation for the priesthood, taking into account the age and experience of each student. In addition to lectures, all participate in seminars and tutorials. Where extra tuition is needed, students receive individual support.

In September 2010 the College began a new programme of collaboration with St Mary’s University College, Twickenham, London ( www.smuc.ac.uk ). Academic awards from the Beda will be conferred by St Mary’s University College. All of our students now normally register for the degree programme in their first year - usually the degree of Bachelor of Theology (BTh) - although it is possible to take the Bachelor of Divinity pathway (BD, to include Latin and Greek). The College, of course, remains entirely in charge of its own curriculum.

The normal pattern of study is that each new student registers for a degree programme, and should graduate at the end of Year 3. In his fourth year he will usually register for the Graduate Diploma in Theology. This course is also in collaboration with St Mary’s University College.

The collaboration with St Mary’s University College is attentively monitored (within the overarching priorities of formation for priesthood), and will be the preferred academic course that each student follows.

The option for a student to study for a Pontifical Baccalaureate Degree at the Angelicum (or another Roman university) still remains open. This, however, would not be the norm. Such a course of study would be at the specific request of a bishop and in keeping with the good interests of the student and the College.

 

Ministry of Acolyte with Cardinal John Foley 3 March 2010

Prof Dan McCarthy (middle) with some of his studentssummer

The last Palazzola Weekend for Year 4 (2006-10)

Reception after the Diaconate Ordination