Bachelor of Theology Honours Course Requirements at SATS

Bachelor Honours Degree Humanities & Social Sciences

Poster showing admission requirements for the Bachelor of Theology Honours bachelor honours degree at South African Theological Seminary, with a link to studies.mycourses.co.za

The Bachelor of Theology Honours is a bachelor Honours Degree offered by SATS for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking 1 year full-time; about 2.5 years part-time on average; maximum 3 years (online) to complete. This page covers the minimum admission requirements you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.

Minimum Admission Requirements to study Bachelor of Theology Honours at SATS

An accredited Bachelor of Theology or related degree
Alternatively, an accredited bachelor's degree in another field together with an accredited certificate or diploma in theology
An above-average result in your undergraduate degree
You may not be registered for a similar programme at another institution at the same time

About this course

The BTh Honours (SAQA ID 49133) is a one-year, 120-credit NQF Level 8 degree that builds on a three-year theology degree and prepares you for research at master's level. It is offered completely online.

The programme consists of five 24-credit courses:
- Introduction to Theological Studies (compulsory)
- Four of the following five: New Testament, Old Testament, Systematic Theology, Mission Studies and Practical Theology

There are two options:
- General BTh Honours
- BTh Honours with a concentration in Christian Counselling, for those who want to combine advanced theology with counselling

Full-time students can finish in a year, but most part-time students take about two and a half years. You must complete at least 48 credits every 12 months and finish within three years.

The degree suits pastors and ministry leaders who already hold a BTh or similar degree and want to sharpen their research and theological skills. Students who achieve an average of 60% or more across their courses can go on to an MTh or MA in Theology.

Possible careers

Pastor

Course intelligence for Bachelor of Theology Honours

Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.

Not on the scarce-skills list

Job market outlook

Bachelor of Theology Honours doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list as a Pastor. 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.

Unlikely to be NSFAS-funded

NSFAS funding

NSFAS does not usually fund students at private institutions like SATS. Ask SATS directly about its own bursaries or payment plans, and check whether a sector SETA offers funding for this field.

More accessible

Admission chances

SATS’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 SATS and NSFAS.

How to apply for 2027 studies

Apply online on the SATS Nexsis portal and upload certified copies of your degree and academic record. Pay the application fee, then your enrolment fee and first course. Contact PGStudy@sats.ac.za with questions.

Ready to apply? This takes you straight to South African Theological Seminary’s own official application page.

Apply Now

You will leave studies.mycourses.co.za and apply directly with South African Theological Seminary.

Duration: 1 year full-time; about 2.5 years part-time on average; maximum 3 years (online)
NQF Level: 8
Fees: Paid per course at the start of each term; see the SATS price list for current fees.
Application deadline: Rolling; start in the next available term

Apply via South African Theological Seminary

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