Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA): Courses, Prospectus and Applications for 2027

The Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA) is one of the oldest evangelical theological colleges in the country. It was started in 1923 by three church leaders, Rev. Marsh, Rev. Douglas and Rev. Dr J. R. L. Kingon, who wanted solid, degree-level Bible training for people entering ministry. The college first met in Mowbray and later moved to its current home on Main Road in Kalk Bay, overlooking False Bay in Cape Town. It celebrated its centenary in 2023 and says it has trained more than 2 000 men and women for ministry.

BISA is interdenominational and describes its theological position as reformational. Its stated aim is to equip Christians to teach and preach the Bible faithfully in local churches, missions and other ministries across Africa and beyond. Students come from many church backgrounds and from several countries.

What you can study:
- Bachelor of Theology (NQF 7, 368 credits), full-time over 3 years, part-time over 6 years, or through the Distance Learning Programme
- Bachelor of Theology Honours (NQF 8, 120 credits), one year full-time or two years part-time in a blended format
- MA in Language and Bible Translation, run with Wycliffe for people working on Bible translation projects (accredited through ACTEA rather than the South African NQF)
- Christian Foundations Gap Year (not accredited), a year of first-level theology for school leavers
- Christian Leadership Programme (not accredited), a three-year part-time course for church members and lay leaders

Study modes: the full-time BTh is taught on campus four days a week, and students also do supervised ministry work in local churches. The distance BTh uses the Canvas online learning platform with exams in June and November, which can be written on campus or with an approved invigilator. The Honours programme starts with a two-week intensive on campus followed by independent study and a mini-dissertation.

Campus life: BISA is a residential college. On-campus accommodation is available from mid-January to mid-November, and residents share meals, lectures and prayer times. The library holds printed journals and gives access to thousands of electronic journals and databases such as JSTOR and Logos.

Accreditation: BISA is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution, and its BTh and BTh Honours are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered on the NQF.

Fees for 2026 (check the official fee PDFs for full details):
- BTh on campus: R1 930 per credit hour, about R61 760 a year
- BTh by distance learning: R1 470 per credit hour, plus a digital library fee of R500 per semester
- BTh Honours: R37 400 a year (a ministry discount rate is available)
- Accommodation: R55 920 for the year

How to apply: applicants should be committed Christians active in a local church, with a recommendation from a church leader. You complete the online application form (or download the PDF form and email it), give three referees including your pastor, attach certified copies of your ID and academic records plus a passport photo, and pay a non-refundable R500 application fee. Residential students also submit a medical form completed by a doctor. Queries go to the Registrar on +27 21 788 4116 or bibleinstitute@bisa.org.za.

Useful documents (official PDFs):
- 2c80ec eff2b6783d3e4152809b6969065e54f2: https://www.bisa.org.za/_files/ugd/2c80ec_eff2b6783d3e4152809b6969065e54f2.pdf
- 2c80ec 762cbc888b9241c68c76d6e61206ae1b: https://www.bisa.org.za/_files/ugd/2c80ec_762cbc888b9241c68c76d6e61206ae1b.pdf
- 2c80ec 96bbc5b740b24034b6a9e9341544ce1b: https://www.bisa.org.za/_files/ugd/2c80ec_96bbc5b740b24034b6a9e9341544ce1b.pdf
- 2c80ec b36389e0d53e4f8e91b9d1eb670f220f: https://www.bisa.org.za/_files/ugd/2c80ec_b36389e0d53e4f8e91b9d1eb670f220f.pdf
- 2c80ec 2d543f395515444d93313c94e25e2530: https://www.bisa.org.za/_files/ugd/2c80ec_2d543f395515444d93313c94e25e2530.pdf