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: 

Higher Certificate in Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96788  Higher Certificate in Theology 
ORIGINATOR
International College of Bible and Missions 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
Higher Certificate  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 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 EXCO 0415/23  2018-01-01  2018-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2018-06-30   2018-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
66712  Certificate: Theology  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This Certificate is designed to educate, train and equip Christians in preparation for a more active church life. The programme is foundational and may help students to decide on more studies.

Rationale:
This certificate provides an exit point for those who want to do one year of Bible and Theology to improve their effectiveness in Church life. It is basic to going on to the (3 year) Diploma or BA in Theology. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner entering this programme has Matriculation Exemption or if lower, may not proceed to the Diploma or BA in Theology unless he/she qualifies otherwise as stipulated earlier.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Prior learning credits are awarded to learners who have completed course work that is equivalent to our first year certificate courses as determined by and acceptable to our Education Advisory Committee and CHE. Non-formal learning may be accepted in conjunction with experience if the learner is able to furnish documentation of such Non-formal learning.

Access to the qualification:
Students enrolling in this qualification need one of the following:
  • Grade 10 + credits for RPL.
  • Matriculation Exemption (under 23 yrs) if students intends to proceed to BA in Theology. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Core; 120 credits.

    Total; 120 credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Begin to read, interpret and apply the Bible in the modern world.
  • Function with more responsibility as church. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment gives learners the opportunity to report back on their use of information, concepts and theory as they relate their practical experience with their studies. Competence levels are raised as teachers-lecturer's correct experience reported by students and supervisors contribute to the making process. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The programme was designed by a committee of expert in the field of theology. The programme was compiled in consultation with other national and international institutions teaching in the same field.

    This qualification is comparable to similar qualifications of theological colleges and universities in the United Kingdom with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, the level of depth and complexity involved in the study process. For example, the certificates offered by St John`s College of the University of Durham and Oxford University theological faculty.

    Also the United Kingdom's Qualification and Curriculum Authority, in its National Database of Accredited Qualifications has listed a Level 3 Advanced GCE in Religious Studies, which cover the following:
  • Philosophy of Religion.
  • Religious Ethics.
  • Jewish Scriptures.
  • New Testament.
  • Developments in Christian Theology.
  • Buddhism.
  • Hinduism.
  • Islam.
  • Judaism.

    Also their CCEA Advanced GCE in Religious Studies covers the following:
  • Religion and Human Experience.
  • Exploring Connections: Synoptic Assessment Unit.
  • Introduction to the Gospel of Luke.
  • Introduction to Acts of the Apostles.
  • Introduction to Old Testament Prophecy.
  • The Early Christian Church.
  • The Origin and Development of the Celtic Church.
  • Religious Ethics: Foundations and Principles.
  • Issues of Religious Belief in the Modern World.
  • An Introduction to the Study of Islam.
  • The Theology of the Gospel Luke.
  • Selected New Testament Writings.
  • A Study of the Old Testament Prophets.
  • The Development of the Christian Church in the Roman Empire to AD 325.
  • The Celtic Church and its Missionary Outreach in the 5th, 6th and 7th Centuries.
  • A Study of Ethics and Contemporary Issues.
  • Issues of Religious Belief: Competing Claims.

    This qualification is comparable to similar qualifications of theological colleges and universities in the United Kingdom with regards to outcomes and assessment criteria, the level of depth and complexity involved in the study process. For example, the certificates offered by St John`s College of the University of Durham and Oxford University theological faculty.

    The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has registered a Graduate Certificate in Applied Theology, which will enable learners to gain an understanding of the tools of theology, will have developed their own Christian journey and will be able to apply learning in a particular area of interest. This programme is pitched at level 6 with 60 Credits.

    The New Zealand Qualifications Authority has also registered a programme called Diploma of Applied Theology, which is aimed at enabling learners to develop self-awareness in relation to their own spiritual journey, be able to participate in a wide range of ministry areas, and/or undertake further study at a higher level. The programme also covers the following themes: core requirements in Formation, and Bible and Theology; introduction to Christian theology; introduction to the Bible; understanding and interpretation of the Bible, mission and ministry. This programme is pitched at level with 240 Credits.

    The Scottish Qualifications Authority has registered a Religious, Moral and Philosophical Studies programme, pitched at Level 12 that aims to:
  • Develop a philosophical approach to the study of beliefs, values and issues which are of importance in the world today.
  • Develop knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and values.
  • Develop analytical skills in relation to the sacred writings, beliefs and values of world religions.
  • Gain insight into the way in which beliefs and values affect the lives of followers of one world religion.
  • Develop skills which can be applied to the study of the beliefs and values of a variety of world religions.

    Other institutions that offer similar qualifications include the Irish Baptist College, which offers a Theology Diploma which covers Old Testament Theology; Creation, Covenant, Hope, Relationship between the Testaments; New Testament; historical theology; person; work of Christ or The Holy Spirit, Sacraments and philosophy of religion with Christian ethics. Also the Queen's University in Belfast offers the study of Theology involves critical thinking about various aspects of religious belief especially Christian beliefs.

    This South African qualification contains aspects that are comparable with the components in qualifications of various other countries at a similar level. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    In the fields of Bible, Ministry (Practical Theology), and Missions, this certificate can qualify students for year one of the three year BA in Theology or the Diploma in Theology. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • We are in the process of accreditation as a provider with the Council on Higher Education.
  • A list of personnel suitably qualified is being assembled so as to be certified by the Council on Higher Education.
  • Moderation is being sought with both internal and external markers at the exit point of the qualification as specified by CHE. 
    		•

    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. International College of Bible and Missions 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.