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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Divinity 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101128  Bachelor of Divinity 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National First Degree(Min 480)  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  480  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide broad well-rounded education in Theology that equips learners with the knowledge-base, theory and methodology of theological disciplines to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional context that requires:
  • Decision-making based on the ability to use a range of skills in identifying, conceptualising and implementing methods of enquiry to address problems in differentiated situations with a thorough grounding in knowledge, theory and principles.
  • Accurate interrogation of multiple sources of knowledge and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
  • The ability to use the resources of professional discourses to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • The ability to evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution or identify a range of solutions to a problem.
  • An ability to identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
  • An ability to critically review information gathering, evaluation and management processes in the professional context in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
  • An ability to operate effectively within a religion-based system, or manage the system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
  • An understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the professional context, taking full accountability for the decisions and actions; In addition, the qualification prepares learners to undertake master level study by providing them with the necessary research capacity in the methodology and research techniques.

    Rationale:
    The qualification responds to the need for a professional qualification with a vocational orientation that will enable learners to perform effectively in faith communities, churches, comparable organisations, societies, and communities. The qualification thus prepares learners for a professional, constructive and coherent ministry not limited to serving faith communities, or ministering to people in for example health and social care contexts, but also to include leadership roles in broader situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making and the capability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Learners will have qualities necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and responsibility in a range of unfamiliar and variable contexts and will be prepared for Postgraduate studies in Theology or appropriate Postgraduate professional training in a variety of professions. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.
    The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.


    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • A National Senior Certificate, at NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • A National Senior Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4.
    Or
  • Equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 512 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 5:
  • New Testament Greek language and Cultural Historical Background, 32 Credits.
  • Introduction to Philosophy: Classical Greek and Roman Philosophy, 16 Credits.
  • Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 6:
  • Study of General and African C, 16 Credits.
  • General Introduction to the Old Testament, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to the New Testament, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Dogmatology I, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Religion, 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 6:
  • The Church Fathers and the Middle Ages: Historical and Conceptual, 16 Credits.
  • Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.
  • Latin Language, literature, 32 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 7:
  • Study of General and African C, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Dogmatology II, 16 Credits.
  • Study of the New Testament, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Missiology I, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Church Polity, 8 Credits.
  • Study of Church History III, 8 Credits.
  • Study of Dogmatology III, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Practical Theology II, 16 Credits.
  • Study of Practical Theology I, 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 7:
  • Study of the Old Testament IA, 16 Credits
  • Study of the Old Testament IB, 16 Credits
  • Study of the Old Testament II (TOTT3734), 16 Credits
  • Study of the Old Testament II (TOTT3714), 16 Credits
  • Study of the New Testament II (TNTT3744, 16 Credits
  • Study of the New Testament II ITNTT3724), 16 Credits
  • Advanced Study of the Old Testament, 16 Credits

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8:
  • Advanced Study of General and (TELG4814), 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of Practical Th (TPTH4804), 16 Credits.
  • Applied Research Methodology in Old Testament, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of Missiology I (TMIS4814), 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of Dogmatology, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of Missiology I (TMIS4834), 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8:
  • Advanced Study of the New Testament (TNTT4824), 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of the New Testament (TNTT4844), 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Study of the Old Testament (TOTT4814), 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Learners will be able to demonstrate
    1. Demonstrate a coherent understanding by way of reflection, interpreting and arguing of the relevant theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques.
    2. Demonstrate argued acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge of Theology.
    3. Accurately interrogate multiple sources of knowledge and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
    4. Analyse and critically evaluate of differentiated sources of knowledge (including scholarship and primary sources).
    5. Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research.
    6. Demonstrate the capability to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas, methods and/or techniques.
    7. Apply skills to critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem.
    8. Operate effectively within a system, or manage the system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
    9. Take full responsibility for own work, decision making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.
    10. Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    For the purposes of this document it should be noted that the rationale, purpose and specific outcomes of the qualification are carefully formulated in a generic way to incorporate the whole range of theological disciplines (i.e. Old Testament, New Testament, Ecclesiology, Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, Missiology, Practical Theology, Religion Studies) offered by the qualification.

    To verify whether learners have acquired the stated (generic) outcomes of the qualification, an integrated assessment approach is required. In this regard, linked to the specific outcomes of modules and exit-level outcomes of this discipline-directed qualification, a selection and/or combination of formative, summative or continuous assessment is employed.

    Assessment methods include assignments, discussions, written examinations, and oral examinations and external assessment. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    On completion of the 480 Credit qualification, learners will have access to a cognate Masters or equivalent Postgraduate qualification in Theology (for example the Bachelor of Art (BA) Masters of Art (MA) structure in Europe, or the four year Liberal Arts education in the United State (USA)), around the world, as the scope, outcomes and assessment criteria, the level of depth and complexity involved in the study process, and with due regard to notional learning time of this qualification is comparable to that of related four-year qualifications, both locally and in many other countries. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of the Free State 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.