SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Bachelor of Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
36087  Bachelor of Theology 
ORIGINATOR
South African Theological Seminary NPC 
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  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 
The Bachelor of Theology is designed to continue and broaden the programme begun in the Christian Life Certificate and the Diploma in Biblical Studies, to educate, train and equip Christians within their local church for ministry, with a special emphasis on becoming pastor/ministers.

Rationale for the qualification

At a time in South Africa`s history when it is experiencing high crime rates and a moral decline, the Christian Church can play a vital role in contributing towards the solution. Indeed the government has appealed to the Christian church to provide assistance in these areas. In order to do so, pastors/ministers need to be properly equipped. There is furthermore a great need within local churches to equip such people from a Biblically-based, Christocentric viewpoint. By its very nature and outcomes-based approach, this degree meets that need. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner entering this programme either has a matriculation certificate with exemption, matriculation without exemption if between 23 and 45 years of age and mature exemption if over the age of 45.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL)

Prior learning credits are awarded to learners for relevant, accredited learning and for relevant life experience. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
On achieving this qualification learners will be able to:
  • Explain the principles of spiritual growth and development
  • Exegete and interpret Biblical passages
  • Care for and nurture Christians in the local church
  • Explain the essential doctrines of the Christian Faith
  • Manage and market the local church 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In particular assessors should check that learners must demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and:
  • Measure the quality of observable, practical performance as well as the underpinning knowledge.
  • Use methods that are varied to allow learners to display independent thinking and decision-making in the demonstration of required tasks.
  • Maintain a balance between practical components and research assessment methods to ensure that each is measured in accordance with the level of the qualification.
  • The relationship between practical and research components is not fixed but varies according to the individual components of the qualification.

    Integrated assessment

    Integrated assessment provides learners with an opportunity to display an ability to integrate practical performance, actions, concepts and theory across components to achieve competence in relation to the purpose of this qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    On completion of the 480 credit Bachelor of Theology, learners will have access to a Masters or equivalent post-graduate qualification anywhere in the world, as the scope of this qualification is comparable to that of related four-year degrees, both locally and in many other countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is intended to formalise the equipping of Christian pastors/ministers. This qualification will provide articulation with all related qualifications in the field of Theology and Ministry. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the Council on Higher Education.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be conducted by personnel suitably qualified in terms of ETDP assessor standards. Assessors must be certified by arrangement with the Council on Higher Education.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at the exit point of the qualification, unless Council on Higher Education policies specify otherwise. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. South African Theological Seminary NPC 


    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.