Courses Offered at St Joseph's Theological Institute (SJTI) for 2027

St Joseph's Theological Institute (SJTI) is a Catholic institute of higher learning set in the countryside at Cedara, just outside Pietermaritzburg in KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1943 by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate and is now run as a non-profit company, St Joseph's Theological Institute (RF) NPC. For decades it has trained priests, religious brothers and sisters and lay people from South Africa and other African countries.

SJTI describes itself as rooted in the African context. Its mission is to advance philosophical, theological and human and social development enquiry by researching questions of faith, culture, experience and tradition, and to help people prepare for ministry and service in church and society. Although Catholic, it welcomes students from other Christian traditions and cultural backgrounds and values dialogue between different traditions.

What you can study:
- Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology
- Bachelor of Arts in Human and Social Development
- Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (one year)
- Formation for Formators, a non-degree programme for people who guide the training of priests and religious

In 2024 the institute also set up the Daniel Corijn Centre for Leadership Formation, which runs leadership training, joint research and community engagement projects grounded in African and Christian values.

Teaching style: classes are taught on campus in English, and lecturers encourage active participation, with students expected to engage critically with prescribed texts rather than simply memorise them. Many students live in the religious houses and seminaries around Cedara and attend SJTI for their academic formation.

Library and partnerships: the Denis Hurley Library, named after the well-known former Archbishop of Durban, supports study and research. SJTI is part of a cluster of theological institutions in the Pietermaritzburg area that includes the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa, the Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, which allows cooperation and resource sharing.

Accreditation: SJTI states that it is accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution. Its registration number and SAQA qualification IDs are not published on its website, so check these with the Registrar.

Admission: degree programmes need a bachelor's-level matric pass (SJTI asks for at least 21 points on its scale), and diploma-level entry needs a matric pass with at least 16 points. English proficiency is required and an entrance examination may be set for applicants who fall short. Certified copies of previous results must accompany the application.

Fees: SJTI does not publish fees online. Contact the Registrar for the current fee schedule, residence options and any bursaries available through dioceses and religious congregations.

How to apply: contact the Registrar on +27 33 492 0246 or registrar@sjti.ac.za for application forms and dates. Questions about academic programmes can go to the Academic Dean at dean@sjti.ac.za.