Bachelor of Divinity
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
National First Degree(Min 480)
Credits
480
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
University of the Free State
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies
Subfield
Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2027-06-30
Last date for achievement
2029-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of this qualification is to provide broad well-rounded education in Theology that equips learners with the knowledge-base, theory and methodology of theological disciplines to enable them to demonstrate initiative and responsibility in a professional context that requires:
- Decision-making based on the ability to use a range of skills in identifying, conceptualising and implementing methods of enquiry to address problems in differentiated situations with a thorough grounding in knowledge, theory and principles.
- Accurate interrogation of multiple sources of knowledge and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
- The ability to use the resources of professional discourses to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- The ability to evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution or identify a range of solutions to a problem.
- An ability to identify and address ethical issues based on critical reflection on the suitability of different ethical value systems to specific contexts.
- An ability to critically review information gathering, evaluation and management processes in the professional context in order to develop creative responses to problems and issues.
- An ability to operate effectively within a religion-based system, or manage the system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
- An understanding of the consequences of any solutions or insights generated within the professional context, taking full accountability for the decisions and actions; In addition, the qualification prepares learners to undertake master level study by providing them with the necessary research capacity in the methodology and research techniques.
Rationale
The qualification responds to the need for a professional qualification with a vocational orientation that will enable learners to perform effectively in faith communities, churches, comparable organisations, societies, and communities. The qualification thus prepares learners for a professional, constructive and coherent ministry not limited to serving faith communities, or ministering to people in for example health and social care contexts, but also to include leadership roles in broader situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making and the capability to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Learners will have qualities necessary for employment requiring the exercise of initiative and responsibility in a range of unfamiliar and variable contexts and will be prepared for Postgraduate studies in Theology or appropriate Postgraduate professional training in a variety of professions.
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.
The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- A Senior Certificate at NQF Level 4.
Or
- A National Senior Certificate, at NQF Level 4.
Or
- A National Senior Certificate (Vocational) at NQF Level 4.
Or
- Equivalent NQF Level 4 qualification.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6, 7 and 8 totalling 512 Credits.
Elective Modules, Level 5
- New Testament Greek language and Cultural Historical Background, 32 Credits.
- Introduction to Philosophy: Classical Greek and Roman Philosophy, 16 Credits.
- Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 6
- Study of General and African C, 16 Credits.
- General Introduction to the Old Testament, 16 Credits.
- Introduction to the New Testament, 16 Credits.
- Study of Dogmatology I, 16 Credits.
- Study of Religion, 16 Credits.
Elective Modules, Level 6
- The Church Fathers and the Middle Ages: Historical and Conceptual, 16 Credits.
- Grammar of Biblical Hebrew, 16 Credits.
- Latin Language, literature, 32 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, Level 7
- Study of General and African C, 16 Credits.
- Study of Dogmatology II, 16 Credits.
- Study of the New Testament, 16 Credits.
- Study of Missiology I, 16 Credits.
- Study of Church Polity, 8 Credits.
- Study of Church History III, 8 Credits.
- Study of Dogmatology III, 16 Credits.
- Study of Practical Theology II, 16 Credits.
- Study of Practical Theology I, 16 Credits.
Elective Modules, Level 7
- Study of the Old Testament IA, 16 Credits
- Study of the Old Testament IB, 16 Credits
- Study of the Old Testament II (TOTT3734), 16 Credits
- Study of the Old Testament II (TOTT3714), 16 Credits
- Study of the New Testament II (TNTT3744, 16 Credits
- Study of the New Testament II ITNTT3724), 16 Credits
- Advanced Study of the Old Testament, 16 Credits
Compulsory Modules, Level 8
- Advanced Study of General and (TELG4814), 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of Practical Th (TPTH4804), 16 Credits.
- Applied Research Methodology in Old Testament, 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of Missiology I (TMIS4814), 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of Dogmatology, 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of Missiology I (TMIS4834), 16 Credits.
Elective Modules, Level 8
- Advanced Study of the New Testament (TNTT4824), 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of the New Testament (TNTT4844), 16 Credits.
- Advanced Study of the Old Testament (TOTT4814), 16 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
Learners will be able to demonstrate
- Demonstrate a coherent understanding by way of reflection, interpreting and arguing of the relevant theories, research methodologies, methods and techniques.
- Demonstrate argued acquisition of coherent and detailed knowledge of Theology.
- Accurately interrogate multiple sources of knowledge and to evaluate knowledge and processes of knowledge production.
- Analyse and critically evaluate of differentiated sources of knowledge (including scholarship and primary sources).
- Describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research.
- Demonstrate the capability to devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas, methods and/or techniques.
- Apply skills to critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem.
- Operate effectively within a system, or manage the system based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within the system.
- Take full responsibility for own work, decision making and use of resources, and full accountability for the decisions and actions of others where appropriate.
- Communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Associated assessment criteria
Integrated Assessment
For the purposes of this document it should be noted that the rationale, purpose and specific outcomes of the qualification are carefully formulated in a generic way to incorporate the whole range of theological disciplines (i.e. Old Testament, New Testament, Ecclesiology, Historical Theology, Systematic Theology, Missiology, Practical Theology, Religion Studies) offered by the qualification.
To verify whether learners have acquired the stated (generic) outcomes of the qualification, an integrated assessment approach is required. In this regard, linked to the specific outcomes of modules and exit-level outcomes of this discipline-directed qualification, a selection and/or combination of formative, summative or continuous assessment is employed.
Assessment methods include assignments, discussions, written examinations, and oral examinations and external assessment.
Progression and comparability
International comparability
On completion of the 480 Credit qualification, learners will have access to a cognate Masters or equivalent Postgraduate qualification in Theology (for example the Bachelor of Art (BA) Masters of Art (MA) structure in Europe, or the four year Liberal Arts education in the United State (USA)), around the world, as the scope, outcomes and assessment criteria, the level of depth and complexity involved in the study process, and with due regard to notional learning time of this qualification is comparable to that of related four-year qualifications, both locally and in many other countries.
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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