Programme: Diploma in Theology

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Code Faculty Department
06120004 Faculty of Theology and Religion Department: Theology and Religion Dean's Office
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 3 years Total credits: 359 NQF level:  06

Programme information

This programme offers general theological education to students who have passed the National Senior Certificate with admission to diploma studies. It also provides a basis for denominational programmes, formation and practical training with a view to the ministry.
A fixed curriculum is prescribed.
The student, who registers for this programme, has to submit his or her curriculum to the Programme coordinator for approval at the beginning of each academic year.
The Diploma in Theology largely overlaps with the same subjects as for the two degree programmes in Theology, and students who obtain an average of 65% for the final year may be admitted to postgraduate study, with the approval of Senate.

Admission requirements

  • The closing date is an administrative admission guideline for non-selection programmes. Once a non-selection programme is fulland has reached the institutional targets, then that programme will be closed for further admissions, irrespective of the closing date. However, if the institutional targets have not been met by the closing date, then that programme will remain open for admissions until the institutional targets are met.
  • The following persons will be considered for admission: Candidates who have a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to Diploma studies; candidates who are graduates from another tertiary institution or have been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; and candidates who are graduates of another faculty at the University of Pretoria.
  • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the APS.

Transferring students

Candidates previously registered at UP or at another university

The Admissions Committee of the faculty considers applications of candidates who have already completed the final Grade 12 NSC or equivalent examination and/or were previously registered at UP or at another university, on grounds of their NSC or equivalent results as well as academic merit. Candidates who were dismissed from other faculties or universities will not be considered.

Qualifications from countries other than South Africa

  • Citizens from countries other than South Africa and South African citizens with foreign qualifications must comply with all the admission requirements and the prerequisites for subjects/modules.
  • Only a limited number of candidates are admitted to undergraduate studies in the faculty. In addition to meeting the admission requirements, admission is based on the performance in the TOEFL, IELTS or SAT, if required, in competition with other candidates who also meet the admission requirements.
  • Candidates must have a NSC with admission to degree studies or a certificate of conditional exemption on the basis of a candidate’s foreign qualifications, the so-called “Immigrant” or “Foreign Conditional Exemption”. The only condition for the “Foreign Conditional Exemption” that is accepted is: ‘completion of the degree course’. The exemption certificate is obtainable from Universities South Africa (USAf). Detailed information is available on the website at click here.

University of Pretoria website: click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

 

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

 

3

 

E

 

24

 

* Cambridge A-level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects and International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects will be considered for admission.

Examinations and pass requirements

Special examinations
See also General Regulations G.12.6.
A student who complies with all the requirements for the diploma with the exception of a maximum of two semester modules or one year-module, in each of which a combined mark of at least 40% has been obtained, may be admitted to a special examination in the same modules at the end of the following semester.

Promotion to next study year

  • To be admitted to the second year of study, a student must pass at least eight semester modules, unless the Dean decides otherwise.
  • To be admitted to the third year of study, a student must pass at least 21 semester modules, unless the Dean decides otherwise.

Academic exclusion
The Dean may, on recommendation of the relevant Faculty committee, exclude a student academically by the cancellation of the registration for that particular year or for the following year, if he or she does not comply with the minimum set of requirements. The student may appeal against the academic exclusion, but it is advisable to address any problems as soon as possible. It remains the student’s responsibility to approach the relevant lecturer as soon as academic problems are being experienced.

Pass with distinction

The diploma is conferred with distinction on a student who obtains an average of 75% (GPA) in the three years of study, provided that not one of the modules had been failed previously and that the programme was completed within the minimum prescribed period.

General information

Information on modules

  • If a module does not attract enough student registrations to be presented economically, the Dean may decide to withdraw it. Students will be advised in time of such decisions in order to register for an alternative  module.
  • The timetable of lectures must be consulted.
  • A student may, with the consent of the Dean, exceed the number of modules per study year by two semester modules or one year module.

Minimum credits: 124

All prescribed modules must be taken at first year level

Fundamental modules

Core modules

Minimum credits: 110

All prescribed modules must be taken at second year level

Core modules

Minimum credits: 125

All prescribed modules must be taken at final year level

Core modules


The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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