Biola University

Biola University is a private evangelical Christian university which was founded in 1908 by Lyman Stewart the founder of Union Oil and the Rev. T.C. Horton with the aim of providing a Christian higher education and equip students to spread the gospel. Originally called the Bible Institute of Los Angeles, the college grew and broadened its offering over the years, finally becoming Biola University in 1981.

Today Biola offers more than 150 programs at doctoral, graduate and undergraduate level and has been commended on the quality of its research. There are several thousand students from a wide variety of backgrounds but all share their Christian faith. There are over 40 undergraduate majors as well as many postgrad options. Areas of study are split into the following schools: Crowell School of Business, Talbot School of Theology, Rosemead School of Psychology, Cook School of Intercultural Studies, School of Education and the School of Arts and Sciences.

Biola is known for its conservative evangelical doctrine and faculty members are tested on their theological worldview before joining the university. The bible is incorporated into everything the university does and religion is at the centre of campus life. The University is in La Mirada, 16 miles from downtown Los Angeles. There is a thriving international student community at Biola and many nationalities are represented in the student body.

The campus is spread across 95 acres of red brick building and tree lined paths. There are 40 buildings including academic and residential spaces, a cinema, cultural centre and a modern library.