Bachelor of Theology Course Requirements at ESSA
The Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa
The Bachelor of Theology is a bachelor's Degree offered by ESSA for 2027 learners, taking Minimum 4 years part-time (block release) 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 ESSA
- ESSA does not publish detailed entry rules on its website
- As a bachelor's degree, the national minimum is a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor's pass, or an equivalent qualification
- The programme is aimed at people already serving in ministry or employed
- Contact the seminary to confirm requirements and whether mature-age or RPL entry is possible
About this course
ESSA's Bachelor of Theology (BTh) is a part-time degree at NQF level 7 worth 384 credits, designed for people who are already in full-time ministry or employment and want solid theological training without leaving their work. It is accredited by the Council on Higher Education.
The degree uses block release with blended learning. The year is split into five nine-week blocks. You attend classes on the Pietermaritzburg campus in weeks 3 and 7 of each block and study at home for the other weeks using the Moodle online platform. Teaching is in English, and the minimum study time is four years.
The programme has 36 academic modules of 10 credits each plus three Ministry Experience Journals of 8 credits each, grouped into four areas:
- Understanding the Bible: surveys of the Old and New Testaments, Hermeneutics and Exegesis, Life of Christ, Pentateuch, the Prophets, the Epistles, Poetic and Wisdom Literature, Apocalyptic Literature
- Understanding Tradition: Systematic Theology, Turning Points in Christianity, the Early Church, World Missions, the Church in Africa, Evangelical Christianity, Ethics, Leadership and Management, World Religions and Cross-cultural Ministry, Apologetics
- Understanding Ministry: Teaching, Homiletics (preaching), Disciple-making, Youth and Children's Ministry, Counselling, Pastoral Care, Church and Health, Development, Urban Ministry, Gender Issues, Peace and Justice
- Core academic: Study Skills and Research Methods, Academic Communication, Thinking Theologically
The journals ask you to reflect on your own ministry as you study, so the degree stays practical. It suits pastors, church workers, NGO and community workers, and lay leaders serving in towns and cities. Graduates can apply for honours study in theology at other institutions.
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 Chaplain. 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 ESSA. Ask ESSA directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.
Admission chances
ESSA’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 ESSA and NSFAS.
How to apply for 2027 studies
Contact ESSA through the website contact form (select the option about applying to study), phone +27 33 394 1679 or email info@essa.ac.za to request an application. Have your ID and certified copies of your school and any post-school results ready. A non-refundable R300 application fee applies.
View all Courses at ESSA
- Website
- Visit official site
- Phone
- +27 33 394 1679
- info@essa.ac.za
- Address
- 189 Pine Street, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
- Duration
- Minimum 4 years part-time (block release)
- NQF Level
- 7
- Fees
- 2026: R220 per credit (R2 200 per 10-credit module), about R85 980 for the full degree. R300 application fee and R300 annual utilities fee.
- Campus
- Pietermaritzburg Campus, Pietermaritzburg
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://essa.ac.za/bachelor-of-theology-bth/, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with The Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa before applying.