Closure of Spurgeon’s College
Statements relating to the closure of the college, including links to updates
The Board of Trustees of Spurgeon’s College issued a statement on 31 July announcing the closure of the College.
The statement read:
With deep sadness and great regret, the Board of Trustees of Spurgeon’s College announces that, the College will close with immediate effect.
Like many higher education institutions—particularly within the Theology sector—Spurgeon’s College has faced significant financial challenges for several years, driven by declining student numbers and an increasingly complex and difficult financial landscape.
In recent months, the College partnered with a charitable foundation that provided vital financial support and offered assurances to both the College and the Office for Students of continued funding. However, this relationship was, without warning, unexpectedly terminated on 21 July 2025. As a result, the College can no longer sustain its financial operations and has been left with no choice but to enter the insolvency process immediately.
Our immediate priority is to protect the interests of our students and staff as far as possible during this deeply challenging time.
We understand this news will come as a profound shock to many. The trustees, leadership, and staff of Spurgeon’s College have worked tirelessly and faithfully to find a sustainable path forward and avoid this outcome.
Founded in 1856 by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the College has faithfully served for 169 years, training thousands of men and women for Christian mission, ministry, and leadership in the contemporary world. Each graduate stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of our founder and the College’s commitment to theological education and Christian service.
God has blessed the College in amazing ways through our long history, and we encourage everyone at this challenging time to pray for his guidance so that men and women continue to be prepared for Christian ministry. It is with heavy hearts that we share this news, and we express our deep gratitude to all who have supported Spurgeon’s College throughout its history.
Baptist Union of Great Britain Trustee Board statement regarding Spurgeon's College
In the wake of this news, the Trustee Board of the Baptist Union of Great Britain issued the following statement, also on 31 July:
The Trustee Board of the Baptist Union of Great Britain is deeply saddened to learn the news that Spurgeon’s College has entered the insolvency process, resulting in the closure of the College. Since its inception in 1856 by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the College has trained many women and men for Baptist ministry and mission. The College’s commitment to training for preaching, pastoring and evangelism has shaped leaders and church communities through many generations, the significance of which is immeasurable.
We recognise the magnitude of the impact this news will have on the staff and students of Spurgeon’s College and our thoughts and prayers are with them. We are giving national Specialist Team support into the situation. The Ministries area of the Baptists Together website is providing information for Baptist students. This area will be updated regularly.
Supporting Baptist students is our first priority at this point. We have begun conversations with other Baptist Colleges in membership with the Union and with Regional Associations to determine how Baptist students who have been studying, or are about to embark on study, at Spurgeon’s College may best be supported. Details of this support will be posted on the information page. We are also funding a Student Support Centre so that over the next few weeks students have someone to ask about transferring to other providers of theological education and ministerial formation.
As stated by Spurgeon’s in their statement on 31 July 2025, the charitable foundation who were providing financial support unexpectedly withdrew this on 21 July 2025. We were made aware on 22 July. Sadly, it was not possible for the Baptist Union of Great Britain to offer financial support on the scale that would have been required.
We will continue to offer our Specialist Team support and are working with all the relevant parties across Baptists Together to support those affected.
Note: Spurgeon’s College is a separate legal entity from the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB). The Board of Trustees of BUGB has no responsibility for any aspect of the governance or management of Spurgeon’s College and has not been part of the decision making or the day-to-day operation of the College.
As highlighted in the above statement, our Ministries Team is working with other partners across Baptists Together to support all Baptists who are part way through or about to start a programme of study and/or ministerial formation for accredited Baptist ministry or Recognised Local Ministry.
The page is regularly updated with signposting and information: baptist.org.uk/Groups/447993/Information_for_Baptist.aspx
Further reading
The news of the closure of the College has been widely reported across Christian and local media. Here links to some of the coverage:
Related:
Baptist Times, 27/08/2025