Bachelor of Theology Course Requirements at BISA
Bible Institute of South Africa
The Bachelor of Theology is a bachelor's Degree offered by BISA for 2027 learners, taking 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time; distance learning usually 6 to 8 years to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Bachelor of Theology at BISA
- National Senior Certificate or equivalent
- At least 60% for English Home Language
- An achievement rating of 4 (50% to 59%) or better in four designated subjects
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is available for applicants who do not meet the school requirements
- You must be an active Christian involved in a local church with a recommendation from a church leader
- Full-time students must commit to supervised ministry fieldwork
About this course
The Bachelor of Theology (BTh) is BISA's main undergraduate degree, built to prepare Christian men and women for preaching, teaching and pastoral work in local churches and other ministries. It carries 368 credits and exits at NQF level 7, and it is accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
You can take it in three ways. Full-time students attend classes on the Kalk Bay campus four days a week for three years. Part-time students attend on campus over about six years. The Distance Learning Programme follows the same curriculum on the Canvas online platform, and most distance students finish in six to eight years, setting their own pace. Distance exams are written in June and November on campus or with an approved invigilator.
The degree builds up level by level:
- Year 1 (NQF 5, 108 credits): biblical theology, hermeneutics (how to interpret the Bible), church history and the basics of preaching
- Year 2 (NQF 6, 128 credits): deeper Old and New Testament studies, apologetics and pastoral topics
- Year 3 (NQF 7, 132 credits): advanced theology, specialised studies and a community engagement practicum
Practical ministry is a graduation requirement. Full-time students do ongoing supervised community engagement in a church or ministry, and distance students complete two practical training assignments in their own church context.
The degree suits people who feel called to pastoral ministry, church planting, youth or missions work, and who want a Bible-centred, reformational training in an interdenominational setting. Graduates with a strong average (70% or more) can continue to the BTh Honours at BISA.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Bachelor of Theology
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Bachelor of Theology doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list as a Missionary. That’s not a red flag on its own, most jobs in South Africa aren’t on that list, it just tracks where employers reported the strongest hiring pressure. Your own results, experience and network will matter more here than national demand trends.
NSFAS funding
NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like BISA. Ask BISA directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
BISA’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with BISA and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply online through the BISA application form or download the PDF form and email it to bibleinstitute@bisa.org.za. Include certified copies of your ID or passport and academic records, a passport photo, and contact details for three referees, one of them your pastor. Pay the non-refundable R500 application fee. Residential students must also send a medical form completed by a doctor.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to Bible Institute of South Africa’s own official application page.
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View all Courses at BISA
- Duration
- 3 years full-time; 6 years part-time; distance learning usually 6 to 8 years
- NQF Level
- 7
- Fees
- 2026: on campus R1 930 per credit hour (about R61 760 a year); distance learning R1 470 per credit hour plus R500 per semester library fee. R500 application fee.
- Campus
- Kalk Bay Campus, Cape Town
What Courses Do I Qualify For in South Africa?
Enter your own subject marks and we'll show you real courses you're likely to qualify for, right now, plus what those courses tend to lead to: how in-demand the work is, whether NSFAS is likely to fund it, and how competitive admission is.
Related courses
FPS approx. 435 (Band A gua…Source: Official website: https://www.bisa.org.za/bachelor-of-theology, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Bible Institute of South Africa before applying.