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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115407  Master of Theology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  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  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is for Christian ministers and related occupations with the vocational qualification of a Bachelor of Theology Honours to deepen their academic engagement with Theology as a discipline (body of knowledge) and specialise in one of the related fields: Practical Theology or, Systematic Theology, or Testament Studies. The qualification provides Master of Theology graduates with the necessary specialist knowledge, skills and applied competencies to:
  • Engage in analytical, critical, independent, and creative theological thinking.
  • Communicate effectively within a theology discipline and their specialised field of study.
  • Collect, analyse, organize, and critically evaluate information within the discipline and field of specialisation.
  • Show sensitivity and openness to diverse communities (the personal, social, cultural and religious identities of others).
  • Design and undertake a research project to develop contextual theological responses to real life situations, especially in South Africa/ Africa, as appropriate to a particular specialised field of study in an ethical manner.
  • Write a dissertation which reflects their ability to do research independently and with integrity.

    In summary, graduates will have developed attributes and specialised knowledge in the discipline of Theology and will be able to undertake independent research on their own that is relevant and sensitive to human diversity.

    Rationale
    This qualification provides faith communities and South African society at large with graduates who are professionals and able to undertake independent research and have advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to make a positive contribution to theological debates in an academic context and also contribute to the development of churches and faith-based communities/ organisation. Graduates will be ethical and act with integrity and be equipped to handle current challenges in a changing society in innovative ways.

    At the end of this qualification learners can be employed as:
  • Religious/ pastoral counsellors.
  • Religious educators (school and academia).
  • Religious practitioners (ordained ministry).
  • Community activists.
  • Researchers .
  • Religious media. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is applicable with regards to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications. RPL may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

    RPL for access:
    Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.

    To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

    RPL for exemption of modules:
    Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

    Entry Requirements:
    Bachelor of Theology (Hons) NQF level 8.
    Or
    Bachelor of Divinity (BDiv) at NQF Level 8.
    Or
    Postgraduate Diploma in Theology NQF Level 8.

    RULES OF COMBINATION
    This qualification comprises compulsory components at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 credits (kindly note that the learner must complete all components and must achieve all the credits).
    Compulsory components, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits:
    Research proposal and ethics application (approved by the faculty)
    Dissertation produced in accordance with University of Fort Hare policy on Higher Degrees and University rules. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 credits

    Compulsory components, NQF Level 9, 180 Credits
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.Critique analytical, independent, and creative theological thinking.
    2. Communicate effectively within a theology discipline and their specialised field of study.
    3. Analyse and critically evaluate information within the discipline and field of specialisation.
    4. Apply key research methods in the discipline and field of specialisation.
    5.Critique key theories within the discipline of theology and field of specialisation.
    6. Demonstrate sensitivity and openness to diverse communities (the personal, social, cultural and religious identities of others).
    7. Design and undertake a research project to develop contextual theological responses to real life situations, especially in South Africa/Africa, as appropriate to a particular specialised field of study in an ethical manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
  • Identify, analyse and interpret Christian sources (exegetical and theological analysis) at an advanced level.
  • Apply and evaluate theological theory and concepts appropriately
  • Demonstrate competency in identifying theoretical approaches that are relevant to an African context.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
  • Demonstrate a fluency of key terms and concepts associated with the specialisation and discipline of theology in writing and presentations.
  • Demonstrate an ability to clearly relate theological concepts to other fields within the discipline and related disciplines of study.
  • Demonstrate the ability to integrate different bodies of theological knowledge: historical debate, textual analysis and philosophy in a coherent and logical manner.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
  • Identify and collect relevant secondary and primary sources from a range of repositories
  • Read, summarise, organise and integrate key literature on the research area.
  • Locate the proposed research area in the secondary literature and identify the significance of the proposed research.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of research approaches within the Social Sciences and Humanities and identify discipline specific methodologies and their applications.
  • Develop research questions and align these to research aims and objectives.
  • Critical engage research ethics and submit an ethics application for ethical clearance.
  • Undertake research and collect data independently.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
  • Demonstrate theoretical understanding by selecting an appropriate theoretical frame for the research and critically apply key concepts.
  • Relate theory and concepts to an African context.
  • Utilise theory and concepts to interpret data.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
  • Use language that respects human diversity.
  • Locate Christian ideas within religious life in Africa.
  • Relate research to complex social problems in Africa and South Africa.

    Associate Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
  • Produce a and present a research proposal.
  • Submit and ethic application that is approved by the ethics committee.
  • Produce and submit a full dissertation in accordance with UFH rules for Higher Degrees.

    Integrated Assessment
    Formative assessment.
  • Progress seminars.
  • Written draft submissions
  • Supervisor reports.
  • Oral presentations of research findings.

    Summative assessment
  • External examination of the completed dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Australia
    Qualification title: Master of Theology (MTh)
    Institution: Flinders University (and comparable Australian universities)
    Credits: 180 credits
    Qualification structure:
  • Pastoral care
    > Systematic theology,
  • Philosophy,
  • Church history and biblical studies.

    Similarities:
    Both are research-oriented master's qualifications at an advanced level that emphasise independent research, production of a dissertation, specialist theological knowledge and preparation for further academic work. Credits, depth of study and assessment through a substantial research output are comparable.

    Differences:
    The University of Fort Hare qualification places explicit emphasis on South African and African contextual theology, engagement with diverse religious communities, and transformative/liberation-oriented frameworks (including Black Theology, Liberation Theology and Feminist approaches). These contextual emphases are not defining features of the Australian qualification.

    Country: New Zealand
    Qualification title: Master of Theology (MTh)
    Institutions: University of Otago and University of Auckland
    Credits: 180 credits
    Qualification structure:
  • Research-focused pathway requiring independent research and a dissertation (approximately two to three years), with opportunities for theological specialisation.
  • Aligned with prior Bachelor of Theology, Honours or related master's pathways.
    Similarities:
  • Comparable research orientation, advanced theological study, independent dissertation requirement, specialist focus, outcomes and assessment expectations, and preparation for further academic engagement.
  • Credits and overall structure are aligned.

    Differences:
  • The University of Fort Hare Master of Theology explicitly requires research that responds to South African and African contexts and encourages the use of liberation-oriented theoretical frameworks. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Philosophy of Religion NQF level 9.
  • Master of Social Science in Sociology of Religion NQF level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Theology (NQF Level 10).
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Theology or related fields (NQF Level 10). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.