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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Theology Honours 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90625  Bachelor of Theology Honours 
ORIGINATOR
St. Augustine College of South Africa 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
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  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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 take account of the Catholic intellectual tradition which aims to lead to the critical development and transformation of both the individual human person and human culture. Catholic theology is very central to this vision. The qualification in theology is designed for learners requiring more in-depth and critically rigorous introduction to the teachings of the Christian faith with an integrating Catholic intellectual tradition that is ecumenically open.

The qualification is designed for learners requiring a more specialised and more in-depth study of the teachings of the Christian faith within an integrating Catholic intellectual tradition. The qualification guides learners to deepen their own spirituality and also furnishes more specialised skills that are deemed essential for leading a Christian community. The uniqueness of the course lies in its full-contact delivery offered in English in a comprehensive theological programme in which the majority of the intended learners are lay people.

The qualification is a critical exploration of certain specialised areas of the life of faith of the individual and of the faith community. The qualification relates the foundational events of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ to a tradition with continuing relevance through 2000 years of history. Wherever possible the qualification relates to theological developments in Africa, beginning before the time of St Augustine. Completion of the course equips the learner with a critical understanding of Christian theology and its tradition.

Rationale:
The qualification is intended for learners who have obtained an undergraduate Degree: Theology at NQF Level 7 and who wish to further their qualifications at Postgraduate level and gain access to further Postgraduate study at Master's level. The course runs over one year's full-time study or two year's part-time study.

The qualification aims to contribute to regional and national goals by developing the spiritual and ethical fibre of our nation from the perspective of Catholic theology. This, it is hoped, will contribute to the moral regeneration of South African society by promoting spiritual awareness, respect for ecumenical and interfaith dialogue, intellectual engagement with society and the consequent empowerment of others through service.

This qualification will have value in offering the academic component required by learners preparing for ordained Christian ministry within both the Catholic and Anglican traditions. The learner would encounter the development of this tradition in relation to its social and cultural context, culminating with a consciousness of the place of Christianity within the pluralist global village and within South Africa, in particular. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
This qualification assumes that the learner is competent in the language of teaching and is able to demonstrate the applied competence which leads to the award of a qualification at NQF Level 7.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning is given to relevant practical and theoretical experience in the field and subfield relevant to this qualification and is assessed by the Faculty Board in conjunction with the rules of access. The relevance is assessed by the Faculty Board which decides whether it suffices to allow admission to the programme. Structured means for the assessment of individual learning against entrance requirements and against exit outcomes are devised on a case-by-case basis. These procedures may be assessed by independent moderators.

Access to the Qualification:

Access to the Bachelor of Theology Honours requires a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree at NQF Level 7 or equivalent 360 credit qualification with Theology. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
The Honours Degree: Theology is a 120 Credit qualification at NQF Level 8; all modules are at NQF Level 8.

Core modules:
  • Contemporary Theological Hermeneutics, 20 Credits.
  • Research Paper, 40 Credits.

    Total Core Credits, 60 Credits.

    Elective modules:
    Choose 3 modules:
  • Old Testament, 20 Credits.
  • The Early Church to the Present, 20 Credits.
  • Spirituality in the Contemporary South, 20 Credits.
  • African Context, 20 Credits.
  • Political Theology, 20 Credits.

    Total Elective Credits, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Develop a specialised treatment of certain themes within both Catholic theology and general Christian theology at both the universal and local levels.
  • Discuss own faith experience in an African context.
  • Understand the mainstream of contemporary theological issues.
  • Compare and contrast faith issues in a complex ethical and social situation.
  • Explore different value systems within a multicultural society while being mindful of the Catholic and Christian tradition.
  • Discuss the African heritage within a Catholic and Christian context.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are integrated into the Exit Level Outcomes. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The assessment criteria are applied in an integrated fashion across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Assess the development of philosophical hermeneutics through the ages, including the purpose of hermeneutics, impact of hermeneutical thought on theology in the 20th century.
  • Identify and exegete texts relevant to the discussion of significant contemporary issues to reveal the world view of the Old Testament on these topics.
  • Analyse the contributions of Jewish and Christian scholars to the debate around the question of whether or not there is a 'centre' to the Old Testament.
  • Critically analyse the scholarly discussions on unity and diversity in the New Testament with regard to Christology.
  • Evaluate present liturgical practices in own Protestant, African Independent Church or Catholic traditions.
  • Identify and critically analyse texts relevant to the historical development of ethical theories such as those of Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Kant, Hume, Mill, MacIntyre and Nietsche.
  • Distinguish Biblical Ethics from Ethical Theory and Moral Theology.
    > Range: Including assessing the use of Scripture in Ethics.
  • Comprehend the philosophy and scope of church history and use different inter-disciplinary approaches and methodologies in the study of church history.
    > Range: Including the different dynamics of the Christian missionary movements and colonialism, the impact of Islam upon early Christianity in Africa, the different social and theological impacts of the churches during the twentieth century in South Africa.
  • Determine the biblical roots of the five doctrinal themes and analyse how they are understood in the contemporary South African Protestant and Catholic Churches.
    > Range: Including how the five doctrinal themes relate to one another, impact the historical eras on the development of the five doctrinal themes.
  • Assess the impact of economic, political and social influences on the shape of people's Christian spiritualities.
  • Articulate a particular research question and the sub-questions that need to be answered in order to fully solve the main research question and present the findings.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of competence is done through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures, which will not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. Assessment practices are fair, transparent, valid and reliable.

    Learning and assessment should be integrated. Summative assessment is assessment of competencies in terms of the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

    Both assessment methods should be integrated to assess the learners' ability to integrate the body of knowledge, skills, and expertise displayed with the purpose of the qualification. Learners completing learning and demonstrating competence successfully through assessment are credited with such learning. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    New Zealand, University of Auckland-Bachelor of Theology (Honours) - Bachelor of Theology Honours.
    This is a one year full-time or up to two years part-time qualification.

    Admission requirements:
  • A completed Bachelor of Theology (or equivalent qualification), including the courses required for one of the Bachelor of Theology (Honours) subject areas. An average grade of at least B in 45 points above Stage II in those courses is required.
  • Admission must be approved by the Head of the School of Theology.

    Core Courses:
    Requirement:
  • 30 points: Theology 701 and 702.

    Subject Areas:
  • Biblical Studies.
    Prerequisite: 45 points in Biblical Studies at Stage III, and at least 30 points from BSTHEO 135, 136, 175 and 176.
    Requirement:
  • 30 points: BSTHEO 780 Dissertation.
  • 30 points from BSTHEO 710-716, 720 and 721.
  • Christian Thought and History.
    Prerequisite: 45 points in Christian Thought and History at Stage III.
    Requirement:
  • 30 points: CTHTHEO 780 Dissertation.
  • 30 points from CTHTHEO 710-712 and 721-723.
  • Practical Theology.
    Prerequisite: 45 points in Practical Theology at Stage III.
    Requirement:
  • 30 points: PTHEO 780 Dissertation.
  • 30 points from PTHEO 710-716.

    United States of America: The Catholic University of America-Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programme in Theology and Religious Studies (STRS).

    STRS offers students majoring in Theology and Religious Studies the opportunity to enter the Master of Arts programme in their fourth year of undergraduate study.

    Conclusion:
    In terms of content this Bachelor of Theology Honours compares favourably with the New Zealand Bachelor of Theology (Honours) and the American Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programmes in Theology and Religious Studies (STRS) because all give the learner access to a Master's Degree. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours: Theology and Religion Studies, at NQF Level 8.

    This qualification articulates vertically with:
  • Master of Arts: Theology, at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The moderators/assessors would be academics of standing in the field of Theology and would normally hold a qualification not lower than a Doctor's Degree. The procedure for appointing all moderators is by nomination of the Faculty Board. The criteria for appointment are academic or professional credibility in this sub-field and usually, a Doctor's Degree. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors and moderators hold a qualification at least one level higher than the qualification being assessed or moderated. Moderators are also required to have more than two years teaching experience. Assessors with less than two years' experience have their assessment work moderated by a peer. 

    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: 
     
    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. St. Augustine College of South Africa 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.