Your Options for Studying Theology at BISA

Bachelor of Theology Honours

Thank you for your interest in our BTh Honours programme. It is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a National Qualifications Framework Level 8 contact-mode degree programme.

The programme is designed to make the student more conversant with the disciplines of biblical exegesis and theology, with a more specialized knowledge of their major area of study. The course will also prepare the student to enter a Masters’ degree in Theology.

Graduates with a minimum average of 65% in the BTh programme are eligible to apply for entrance into the BTh Honours programme.

The Honours degree programme is primarily a self-study course designed to stimulate independent research and critical reflection culminating in the submission of a compulsory mini-dissertation in a chosen field of study. Each module comprises reading and written assignments, some of which will be presented by students for critical discussion during seminar sessions. The role of the lecturer is primarily to manage the learning process.

The BTh Honours is a one-year fulltime programme, but it may be completed on a part-time basis over 2 years. The cost of the programme in 2022 is R32 000-00 for full-time students. The cost per credit-hour is R300-00 for part-time students.

For more information, contact Dr. Peter Smuts, Dean of Graduate Studies @ BISA.

Email: pwsmuts@bisa.org.za

 

Module	Credits	Notes
Old Testament	16	Compulsory
New Testament	16	Compulsory
Theology	16	Compulsory
Ethics	16	Elective
Church History	16	Elective
Missions	16	Elective
Pastoral Counselling & Ministry	16	Elective
Total – Course work	80	Two electives required
Research Methodology	8	Compulsory
Research Proposal	8	Compulsory
Specialist Reading	8	Compulsory
Mini-dissertation	16	Compulsory
Total	120

Bachelor of Theology (distance mode)

The Bible Institute’s Distance Learning Programme (DLP) is offered to those students who are not able to attend full-time classes. This programme is offered online.

The DLP offers a Bachelor of Theology (BTh) accredited by the Council for Higher Education and Training; registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training until 31 December 2025 as a private higher education institution under the Act. Registration certificate No. 2018/HE08/002.

Students will study a range of courses such as Missions, Church History, Biblical Hebrew and Greek, Academic English, Biblical Counselling, Pastoral Ministries, Old and New Testament Studies, Theological Ethics, World Religions and Systematic Theology.

To qualify you will need to have a matric (Grade 12) with a Bachelor’s pass or be 45 years or older to qualify for a mature age exemption. We are only able to accept a percentage of those that qualify for a mature age exemption. Special conditions may apply to those over 23 years of age and that have matriculated under the old HG/SG system (prospective students must have passed 2 HG subjects, one of which must be a language, and 3 SG subjects in order to enter a degree programme). The registrar may be contacted to discuss eligibility before submitting an application. If you have a foreign school leaving qualification you will need to have it assessed by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) – 0860 111 673 / customercare@saqa.org.za

Christian Foundations Gap Year

This one year on-campus programme enables you to work through essential issues of your faith, offering an evangelical biblical standpoint allowing you to think critically and engage meaningfully with the world around you: You will share accommodation and certain classes with the BTh students. Gap Year students will complete first year courses together with a practical component. To qualify for the Christian Foundations Gap Year Programme prospective students are required to have passed Grade 12.

Each student is required to do an on-going practical training assignment in a local church or Christian ministry during their course.

Successful fulfilment of the practical training assignment is a prerequisite for graduation.

Each student is assigned to a team as part of the training at BISA. Through these outreach teams, students are provided with opportunities to represent the Bible Institute in various locations during the year. Faculty members each lead a team during BISA’s annual ‘Ministry Week’ where the teams work in local churches or further afield, living in the community and engaging in various forms of ministry, including preaching and teaching in a variety of contexts.

This course is not CHE accredited

This is a three-year part-time evenings programme, comprising twelve courses in total, with selected Saturday Seminars, designed to train you in academic and practical bible skills. Your lecturers will bring instruction and helpful insights in the Word of God that you will apply in your own ministry in the Church.

The CLP is designed to equip church leaders to understand and handle the Scriptures rightly and to serve faithfully and effectively in their leadership roles. Students will be required to attend one class a week either on a Tuesday (Kalk Bay, Strandfontein, Lavender Hill, Montrose Park, Manenberg, Houtbay) or Thursday (Khayelitsha, Samora Machel, Langa, Kayamandi, Mfuleni) evening as well as monthly Saturday seminars presented at various venues. The suitable CLP candidate must be a member in good standing at a gospel-preaching church who is engaged in active leadership and displaying joyful submission to the teachings and authority of Scripture. The CLP is a three-year non-accredited programme.