Master of Theology (Research) Course Requirements at SATS
South African Theological Seminary
The Master of Theology (Research) is a master's Degree offered by SATS for 2027 postgraduate applicants, taking Minimum 2 years; average 3 to 4 years; maximum 5 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 Theology (Research) at SATS
- An accredited four-year bachelor's or bachelor honours degree in a theological field
- Alternatively, an accredited honours degree in another field together with an accredited diploma or bachelor's degree in theology
- An above-average result in your previous degree
- You must achieve 75% or higher in Phase 1 to continue
About this course
The SATS Master of Theology (MTh) is a research degree of 180 credits at NQF Level 9, completed entirely online. Rather than following a fixed list of courses, you research and write on a topic that matters to your life or ministry, guided by a supervisor.
How it works:
- Phase 1: preparatory research courses. Only candidates who score 75% or more are invited to continue
- Later phases: developing and getting approval for a research proposal, then researching and writing the dissertation under supervision
Fees are paid at the start of each phase and spread over the three to four years most students take. Because it is fully online, there are no travel or accommodation costs.
The MTh suits pastors, lecturers and ministry leaders who want to make an original contribution to theological knowledge in areas such as Biblical Studies, Systematic Theology, Practical Theology or Missiology. Graduates who achieve an aggregate of 60% or more have access to doctoral programmes in related fields at accredited South African institutions, including the SATS PhD in Theology.
Possible careers
Course intelligence for Master of Theology (Research)
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 Theology (Research) doesn’t currently appear on the national scarce-skills list as a Researcher. 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 on the SATS Nexsis portal with your honours degree certificate and transcript. Pay the application fee, then the enrolment and Phase 1 fees. Contact PGStudy@sats.ac.za for guidance on topics and supervision.
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View all Courses at SATS
- Duration
- Minimum 2 years; average 3 to 4 years; maximum 5 years (online)
- NQF Level
- 9
- Fees
- Paid at the start of each phase, spread over 3 to 4 years; 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?
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Related courses
Source: Official website: https://www.sats.ac.za/programmes/postgraduate/master-of-theology, last verified 2026-09-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with South African Theological Seminary before applying.