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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Theology Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73065  Bachelor of Theology Honours 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours 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  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  SAQA 06120/18  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 qualification enables learners to acquire a comprehensive, critical and systematic knowledge of Christian Theology, and a particular theological discipline, and to become conversant with contemporary theological discourse. Furthermore, learners develop a foundational understanding and use of the research methodologies relevant to theological disciplines. A second purpose provides learners with the necessary applied and theoretical competencies to carry out a limited research project under supervision worth a minimum of 32 Credits and communicate their new insights creatively, thus playing a constructive role within church and society.

Rationale:
This qualification raises consciousness of learners on issues of justice such as gender, social disparity, disability and the environment, and capacitates them to develop transformative communities, as well as contributes to the development of the society as a whole. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The outcomes of this qualification can be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning in terms of the following criteria:

Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
  • The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is for learners who can produce a portfolio of evidence to show that they meet the outcomes and associated assessment criteria, obtaining the relevant credits according to the assessment of the institution.

    Rules governing the award of the qualification:
  • This qualification is for a learner who completes at least 67% (90 Credits) of the qualification at this institution. Presentation of evidence can be in a variety of forms, including previous local or international Qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practise and performance records.

    The institution subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role.

    The institution endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning programme at an honours level. RPL for admission implies an assessment of not only cognate knowledge and skills gained through work experience but to determine the level of skills and knowledge comparable to NQF Level 7 the learner already possesses. Also, the skills and knowledge the learner has to master additionally before being accepted for the honours qualification.

    The RPL assessment processes are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL learner seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge complies with all the requirements as stated for modules, programmes and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment since RPL assessment is holistic, taking the context of the qualification. As well as the prior knowledge and experience, the learner has.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Theology, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Psychology, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Divinity Degree, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 140 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 32 Credits:
  • Honours mini-dissertation (TEOL671), 32 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 104 Credits (Choose five 16 Credits modules, one 20 Credits Module and one 8 Credits Module):
  • General and specific counselling (PAST671), 16 Credits.
  • Homiletics (HOMV671), 8 Credits.
  • Human rights (ETIE672), 16 Credits.
  • Pastoral counselling (KATE672), 16 Credits.
  • Liturgical practice (LITK671), 16 Credits.
  • Interpretation and study of old testament (OTES674), 20 Credits.
  • Missiological perspectives (MISS672), 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to reformed church law (KERG672), 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to NT exegesis and hermeneutics (NTES673), 20 Credits.
  • Research methodology (TNAV671), 8 Credits.
  • General and SA church and dogma history (KDGE672), 16 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of the dogmatics (DOGM672), 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Identify, distinguish and evaluate concepts that are more advanced and theories about Theology as a human and social science.
  • Integrate and apply the range of theological concepts and disciplines (the theological encyclopedia).
  • Critically compare and use theological and other sources at a more advanced level to explore faith questions and proclaim Christian faith in context.
  • Identify and develop their faith in critical interaction with their context and people with differing views, and exhibit a more advanced degree of critical self-awareness.
  • Engage in and articulate critical and creative theological thinking at a more advanced level.
  • Play a moral and constructive role by developing and applying core human and Christian values to contexts, and being critical of all value systems.
  • Develop and evaluate insights arising from the various theological disciplines that may contribute to the development of Christian ministry and life.
  • Use varying theological disciplines to develop critical thinking concerning issues of power and leadership in church and society.
  • Be sensitive to and interact constructively with multicultural and multi-faith communities, from a theological perspective, and
  • Apply the insights of one or more disciplines to identify and critique issues of church and society. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Demonstrate systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
  • Apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
  • Display critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within the related practice.
  • Demonstrate professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
  • Effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
  • Effectively function as a member and leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Continuous formative assessment strategies are integrated by nature and take the form of assignments and tests. There is a mini-dissertation. Formative assessment: 70% of module mark. Integrated summative assessment in the form of a formal examination forms 30% of the pass mark. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual as well as in group context may also be employed. Learners need to apply integrated knowledge and advanced skills in order to ensure that they are competent for the work place. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    One hundred twenty credits minimum (typically one year) postgraduate honours qualification is not common in institutions around the world and relates to the fact that South African schools only offer 12 years of primary and secondary education, whereas European and North American schools offer 13 years of schooling before tertiary education. However, learners graduating with a Bachelor of Theology and a Bachelor of Theology Honours have attained a qualification comparable to the discipline-specific honours qualifications in the United Kingdom and African countries operating under the same system (e.g. Kenya and Nigeria). The South African Bachelor of Theology Honours qualification standard is comparable to similar qualifications from around the world about outcomes and assessment criteria, the level of depth and complexity involved in the study process, and with due regard to notional learning time. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Christian Theology, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Divinity, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Theology, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Recorded in 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.