[1] The institute was founded in 1919, as an originally-named 'Institut Biblique de la Mission Belge Evangélique' in Brussels.

This rapid growth was thanks to foreign students who came to study because of tri-lingual education, and hence in 1971 the program became recognised by the Belgian government.

In 1981, the 'Evangelische Theologische Faculteit' was founded as an academic program of the Bible Institute, which in 1983 was recognised by the Federal Government of Belgium to award licentiate- and doctoral degrees.

On 19 June 2006, the final report of the educational inspection Theology and Religious Studies (2005) was submitted to the Flemish Interuniversitary Board.

The theology degrees were both awarded the score "good," which means they systematically supersede the basic qualifications of quality.

[4] The committee praised the ETF for preserving her Christian identity "and simultaneously having an open outlook to societal developments."

If an prospective graduate student holds a professional bachelor's degree in theology or religious studies, the applicant will need to complete a so-called "linking program.

The PhD program consists in its core of conducting scientific research leading to a dissertation, under guidance of a supervisor.