Master of Divinity Course Requirements at SATS
South African Theological Seminary
The Master of Divinity is a master's Degree offered by SATS for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking 2 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 Master of Divinity at SATS
- An accredited four-year bachelor's degree or an accredited bachelor honours degree in any field (NQF Level 8)
- An above-average result, normally an average of at least 60%
- No previous studies in theology are needed
About this course
The Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a two-year professional master's degree for pastors and people preparing for pastoral ministry. It is worth 240 credits at NQF Level 9 and is delivered 100% online. A big advantage is that it is open to graduates from any field, with no previous theology study required.
The degree is made up of 180 coursework credits and a 60-credit capstone project.
Compulsory components:
- Theological Orientation (12 credits)
- Ministry Practicum (24 credits)
- MDiv Research Project (60 credits)
The remaining 144 credits are electives chosen from five areas: Systematic Theology, Old Testament, New Testament, Church and Society, and Practical Theology. This gives a broad but deep formation in Bible, doctrine and ministry practice.
Each course must be paid in full before its term starts; part payments are not accepted. The MDiv suits professionals who sense a call to ministry, as well as church staff who want a recognised professional qualification. Note that the MDiv does not lead straight into a PhD: it gives access to the MTh, which in turn opens the way to doctoral study.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Master of Divinity
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Master of Divinity 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.
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.
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 through the SATS Nexsis portal, uploading your degree certificate and academic transcript. Pay the application fee and then the enrolment fee and first course. Queries go to PGStudy@sats.ac.za.
Ready to apply? This takes you straight to South African Theological Seminary’s own official application page.
Apply NowYou will leave studies.mycourses.co.za and apply directly with South African Theological Seminary.
View all Courses at SATS
- Duration
- 2 years (online)
- NQF Level
- 9
- Fees
- Each course is paid in full before its term; no part payments. See the SATS price list for current fees.
- Application deadline
- Rolling; start in the next available term
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
Source: Official website: https://www.sats.ac.za/programmes/postgraduate/master-of-divinity, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with South African Theological Seminary before applying.