Collection KFT/FP - THEOLOGY: KIng's College London departmental student records

Key Information

Reference code

KFT/FP

Title

THEOLOGY: KIng's College London departmental student records

Date(s)

  • [1852]-1998 (Creation)

Level of description

Collection

Extent

324 archive boxes and 18 slip books

Scope and content

Theology student records, [1852]-1998, specifically undergraduate and postgraduate male student files, 1886, 1908, 1910-1974 (Ref: KFT/FPM), undergraduate and postgraduate male withdrawals, [1914-1951] (Ref: KFT/FPMW), miscellaneous correspondence relating to students whose date of entry is not known, [1939-1969] (Ref: KFT/FPMM), undergraduate and postgraduate female student files, 1929-1974 (Ref: KFT/FPF), undergraduate and postgraduate female withdrawals, 1948-1968 (Ref: KFT/FPFW), miscellaneous correspondence relating to female students whose date of entry is not known [1932-1968] (Ref: KFT/FPFM), occasional students, 1980-1991 (Ref: KFT/FP/OCC), postgraduate occasional students, 1980-1992 (Ref: KFT/FPPG/OCC), undergraduate student files, 1975-1998 (Ref: KFT/FP), postgraduate student files, 1980-1994 (Ref: KFT/FPPG), examination results, [1978-1987] (Ref: KFT/ER), address register of former students, [1871] (KFT administrative series), 2 slip books of male students who took the Theological Associate of King's College examination, [1852]-1921 (Ref: KFT/RC1), 13 slip books of male, and in later years, female students who took the Theological AKC, [1920-1980] (Ref: KFT/RC2), 1 slip book of women theological students, including AKCs, 1946-1982, 1 slip book of male and female BA Religious Studies, Biblical Studies and postgraduate students, 1976-1985, 1 slip book of BD and combined studies students, 1983-1985. The KFT/FPM file series incorporates all students, including withdrawals, AKC, BD and a small number of postgraduates. Information contained typically includes letters of reference, tutors' terminal reports, general correspondence and application for admission, the name of the Bishop by whom the student was confirmed and the name and address of the clergyman from whom a confidential report was received, from 1931 most files have a photograph attached. Prior to 1919 generally only the admission form survives. The KFT/FPMW series is not comprehensive. Information typically includes application for admission, letters of reference and correspondence. Information typically contained in the KFT/FPF file series includes UCCA forms, statement of eligibility, terminal reports, admission form, letters of reference and correspondence, from 1935 files occasionally contain a photograph. The KFT/FPFW series includes those who withdrew their application or who rejected the offer of a place, but again is not comprehensive. From 1996 onwards the main subjects included in the KFT/FP series include BA Religious Studies, BA Theology and BA Biblical Studies. Information contained in the KFT/FP and KFT/FPPG series varies but generally includes statement of eligibility, declaration, application for admission, UCCA form, statement by referee, terminal report and correspondence. The examination results series includes pass lists for the AKC, MTh, MPhil, PhD, BA and BD degrees. Information typically contained in the KFT/RC1 slip books include the date the AKC was passed, any prizes or other qualifications gained at King's or elsewhere, the church at which the student went on to serve, and address. The end of this series also contains a small number of forms relating to deceased former students. The KFT/RC2 slip books have an attached AKC detail sheet giving courses and marks. Other information typically contained in the Theological slip books include name, address, date of birth, date of entry, course, examinations, previous education, and whether ordained.

Accruals

Periodic deposits by Department

System of arrangement

The majority of files are organised chronologically then alphabetically. The miscellaneous files are listed in an alphabetical run, the withdrawals are not listed. The KFT/FP series until 1994 is arranged by year of entry, then alphabetically within each year. Subsequently files are arranged by year of leaving, then alphabetically. Late additions to the series are currently listed under the year they were deposited in the Archives. The KFT/RC1 slip books are organised chronologically. KFT/RC2 is arranged in an alphabetical run. The other theological slip books are organised under subject headings, then alphabetically.

General Information

Name of creator

(1989-)

Biographical history

King's College London Department of Theology was established in 1846 for the preparation of graduates and other candidates for Holy Orders. The Transfer Act of 1908 separated the secular and theological components of King's, creating institutions known respectively as The University of London, King's College, and the Theological Department of King's College London. The College Council retained all its powers in relation to the Faculty of Theology, but a Theological Committee was instituted to advise the Council and to superintend, under its direction, the work carried on in the Theological Department of the College. The Theological Department was thereafter a School of the University within the Faculty of Theology and the Head of the Theological Department was the Dean of King's College. Undergraduate courses available included the BD, intended as a first stage for teaching in schools or as a preparation for ordination, and the AKC, which overlapped with the BD but contained a more practical element for those meaning to enter ordained ministry. Postgraduate courses included the MTh, MPhil and PhD. In 1958 the University decided to make money available for more teaching posts in Theology, which were established within the Faculty of Arts, King's College. This led to the development of more non-vocational theological classes including courses in Religious Studies. Theology was formally reunited with the rest of the College in 1980 under the title King's College London. It is currently known as the Department of Theology and Religious Studies, part of the School of Humanities since 1989. Related research institutes include the Centre for New Religions, established in 1982, and the Centre for Advanced Biblical Studies.

Archival history

In 1973 the post of Tutor to Women Students was abolished and a new post of Dean of Students was established. As a result, from 1975 both male and female students have been dealt with in one series.

Custodial history

Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Conditions governing access

Files containing personal data are closed for 80 years and sensitive personal data for 100 years from the date of the most recent document in the file.

Administrative records are generally closed for 20 years except for published material and some committee and other minutes.

Where open, access is subject to signature of Reader's undertaking form, and appropriate provision of two forms of identification, to include one photographic ID.

Conditions governing reproduction

Copies, subject to the condition of the original, may be supplied from open material for research purposes only.

Requests to publish original material should be submitted to the Archives.

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Finding aids

Detailed lists are available for consultation in the King's College London Archives Reading Room. Slip Books are also located in the Reading Room.

Existence and location of originals

Off-campus collection

Please note: We require 7 days notice to retrieve this collection as part, or all of it, is held off-campus. Read more ›

Related materials

King's College London Theology Records (Refs: KFT/M, KA/TB/M, KSTS/M); King's College London Entrance Papers (Ref: KA/E/T); King's College London Theology Attendance Registers (Ref: KA/RAT/T); King's College London Associate of King's College Slip Books; King's College London Faculty of Arts/School of Humanities Student Records (Ref: KFA/KSH).

Related descriptions

Alternative identifier(s)

Place access points

Genre access points

Rules and/or conventions used

Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000.

Script(s)

Archivist's note

Sources: King's College London catalogues; College Calendars; Fossey John Cobb Hearnshaw, A Centenary History of King's College London, 1828-1928 (London, 1929); Theological Prospectuses (Ref: KFT/SYL). Compiled by Beverley Ager as part of the RSLP AIM25 Project.

Accession area