Theological study in South Africa is mostly by denomination or theological tradition. This is true of several of the seminaries listed below, but they all accept students from various theological backgrounds that are Evangelical, that is, orthodox. A few are intentional about having a broader Evangelical ethos.
The tendency of theological colleges to offer online education is a factor throughout the world for various reasons. Most, I believe, would rather have campus institutions. Finances often force students and institutions toward online opportunities. Some of the colleges or universities, below, are entirely online, while some others, even though offering online education, hold on to the goal of in-person education.
I have attempted to provide a list of Evangelical institutions from various theological traditions that provide students in South Africa interested opportunities to study. With the exception of Global University and Biblical Training, all are located in South Africa, whether they offer campus or online education, or both. Global University is the present and expanded version of the Assemblies of God denomination’s International Correspondence Institute. Campus-based colleges around the world use its courses as well. Biblical Training offers excellent academic, Evangelical theological training without accreditation of its own.
While I might have listed other ministry training programmes and institutions for orthodox, Evangelical students, I can recommend these as ones worth exploring for a fit for a student’s intended Christian ministry. Sometimes a student will need to study at an institution that is not quite a perfect fit for his or her denomination, but an Evangelical ethos is essential for ministerial training. The only time to consider a non-Evangelical institution would be if one is pursuing a highly academic, non-ministerial degree.
Note: I have directly copied wording from websites into the following table.
Institution
Values
Degrees
Delivery
The Evangelical Theological Seminary
The Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa
Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
· Evangelical – The Holy Scriptures, as originally given by God, are divinely inspired, entirely trustworthy and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.
· Holistic – “Evangelization requires the whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.” – John Stott
· Contextual – Demonstrating the whole Gospel to be relevant in the ministry setting by word and deed – considering regional, racial, historical, economic, or any other context of ministry.
Mission Statement: To train dedicated Christian leaders in an urban African context for Church-in-Mission
Vision Statement: To provide relevant and accessible theological education that transforms lives and communities
The history of this seminary is Methodist.
BTh. (NQF level 7), 384 credits
Block method. Five blocks per year, each 9 weeks. On campus 3rd and 7th blocks. Can take two courses per block.
Access to computer required.
Moodle.
English language
Union Bible Institute
Hilton, Natal, South Africa (outside Pietermaritzburg)
Interdenominational. Primarily a Zulu institution.
UBI remains committed to the unchanging message of the Bible and the preaching of the gospel. At the same time, we realise that the application of the message and methods we use must meet the needs of the times in which we live.
Union Bible Institute’s purpose is to develop Christlike servant-leaders who are committed to Christ and His Great Commission
Higher Certificate in Theology
Diploma in Theology
Bachelor of Theology
Campus based with distance education courses via flashdrive. Also WhatsApp is used.
Instruction in isiZulu and English
Bible Institute of South Africa
Kalk Bay, Cape Town, Cape, South Africa
We are a non-denominational, international, theological college committed to the evangelical faith of our confessing protestant reformational heritage.
We serve the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in equipping Christian men and women in Biblical truth and ministry in order to fulfil the Great Commission in Africa and throughout the world.
Our Vision is for the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to be proclaimed by our students past and present in every Church, market place and society.
To train students to be relevant witnesses for Christ and to serve Him in the urban and rural church, the marketplace and all of society.
Purpose: We exist to serve Christ and His Church by training students in biblical truth and ministry expertise.
We hold to the inspiration, inerrant and full authority of the Bible.
We emphasise the importance of having a passion for the Kingdom of God, and exemplary Christian character.
We are committed to the development of personal spirituality and practical skills for faithful effective ministry.
We seek to pursue excellence in all aspects of life, in the college and in the community to the glory of God.
[Historically, this has been a Reformed theological institution.]
BTh.
Our academically rigorous programs of study are accredited internationally by ACTEA as well as the RSA Department of Higher Education. Each program is constructed to offer you a comprehensive biblical foundation for your ministry and work.
Contact mode.
Also BISA Distance Learning Programme
We offer training for christian men and women that is:
Academically and practically integrated.
Accessible to existing and potential Christian leaders.
Appropriate for the students we serve.
Accredited by the RSA Council on Higher Education and ACTEA and recognised by the Church.
George Whitefield College
George Whitefield College - Theological Training In Africa, for Africa
Muizenberg, Cape Town, South Africa
t is the conviction of GWC that the Word of God is the primary agent of transformation in the world.
We believe that all Scripture is God-breathed and, when rightly put into action, has the power to change men and women into the image of Christ and bring them into the Kingdom of God.
The church in Africa is growing, and a growing church needs trained leaders who can lead people to better understand God’s Word and disciple their congregations to Christian maturity. The rate of church growth in Africa is exceeding the number of theologically trained church leaders available to disciple these churches.
GWC therefore seeks to play a role in equipping the current and future leaders of the church in Africa to correctly handle the Word of God.
Vision: That Africa be filled with preachers and teachers who deeply love the Lord Jesus and who have a profound understanding of Scripture, in order that Africa may increase its share in the Kingdom of God.
Mission: To shape minds via a classical theological education, nurture hearts devoted to Christian service and train voices to effectively communicate the word of Christ.
Higher Certificate in Theology (campus)
Bachelor of Theology (Campus)
Bachelor of Theology, Hons. (Campus and Online)
Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Theological Education (Online only)
Master of Theology (Campus and online)
Evangelical Research Fellowship (Campus and online)
Theological Education Development Services (in person and online)
Explore Programme (Correspondence)
Postgraduate modules (Campus and online)
Began work towards accredited PhD programme in 2025
Short Courses (online)
Baptist Theological College
Randburg, Gauteng, South Africa
Baptist Union of South Africa
Accepts other students than Baptists who accept statement of faith (basic orthodoxy)
BTC exists to equip believers for global service by providing holistic, contextually relevant, evangelical education resulting in servant leaders of integrity who correctly handle the word of truth
Higher Certificate in Theology (Online video lectures)
Higher Certificate in Ministry (Distance)
Bachelor of Biblical Studies (Contact and Distance)
Bachelor of Theology (Honours) (Contact and Distance)
Master of Theology (Distance)
Short Courses (Online)
South Africa Theological Seminary (SATS)
Evangelical
Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling
Higher Certificate in Christian Life
Bachelor of Theology
Bachelor of Theology (Honours)
Master of Divinity
Master of Theology
Doctor of Philosophy in Theology
All online
All our programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education, the Education and Training Quality Assurer of the South African Qualifications Authority, and are registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Mukhanyo Theological College
Homepage - Mukhanyo Theological College
Locations: Capte Town, Johannesburg, Durban, KwaMlanga, Potchefstroom, Pretoria, Rustenburg
Mukhanyo Theological College is a decentralised training network with multiple sites of delivery in Africa that provides biblical education for church and community. Mukhanyo serves pastors and other Christians by offering theological education at various levels and within several fields. The multi-ethnic body of students at Mukhanyo receives biblical in-service training for ministry in the African context. Mukhanyo serves churches by equipping their pastors and other Christians to promote the growth of Christ’s kingdom.
Objectives: Providing relevant, high-quality, holistic, and affordable in-service, semi-residential and/or locally facilitated training.
Providing biblically based training opportunities and facilities to church leaders and communities, to develop church leadership and administrative skills in order to inspire a kingdom vision and to support the growth and development of churches.
Equipping leaders, office bearers, and members of churches to correctly understand and apply the Bible in their own environment.
Empowering church leaders in their local ministries to promote development aid projects.
Registered with the Department of Higher Education as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, (Act No. 101 of 1997), Registration Certificate No. 2009/HE08/002.
Non-accredited: Focus Certificate (also in isiZulu)
Our accredited qualifications are:
Higher Certificate in Bible Teaching
Higher Certificate in Church Ministry
Bachelor of Theology
Bachelor of Theology Honours
Ebenezer Theological Seminary
Vision: To see the Church restored and established on the foundation of Christ, we must guide pastors, church leaders and church members to spiritual maturity through the message of the Cross and the Grace of God and equipping them for their ministry in the local Church to magnify the Name of Jesus Christ.
Mission: Boldly and without hindrance, we will preach and teach the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ in South Africa and the surrounding areas and to the ends of the earth as our Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to do. (Acts 28:31 – Modified)
[Has an Evangelical Dutch Reformed history]
NQF 2 and 5
Developing NQF 4 and 7 (Bachelors)
Offers in-person sessions at various learning centers, online courses, and blended learning programs.
Virtual classes are conducted using Zoom.
Associated with the Association of Christian Religious Practitioners
QTCO (workplace development) qualifications
Global University
[Assemblies of God (Pentecostal)]
Mission: Global University, a Christian university in the Pentecostal tradition, integrates education and service through a worldwide network providing ministerial training, undergraduate and graduate education, curricular materials, and services to the Christian community through evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training through nonresidential distributed learning methods.
Institutional Objectives:
· To provide general and theological education and training from a biblical worldview.
· To provide educational programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels leading to various diplomas and degrees.
· To provide non-degree service programs, including evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training.
· To work cooperatively with schools, churches, district councils, education offices, state and federal educational agencies, the sponsoring church, and fraternal denominations and fellowships, to fulfill common purposes.
· To develop and provide educational curricula and technologies culturally sensitive in a cross-cultural context in cooperation with the Assemblies of God World Missions and autonomous national churches.
· To develop and provide educational curricula and technologies culturally sensitive in a cross-cultural context in cooperation with the General Council of the Assemblies of God in the United States.
· To research, adapt, and utilize appropriate methods of educational delivery employing available technologies.
· To serve as a specialized educational delivery resource for other educational institutions.
· To cooperate in the educational delivery efforts of the General Council of the Assemblies of God schools to increase efficiency, avoid duplication, and better utilize resources.
School for Evangelism & Discipleship
Berean School of the Bible
School for Ministry Development
Undergraduate School of Bible & Theology
Graduate School of Theology
Global University has a combined history of more than 80 years of service, yet is on the cutting edge of technology with online courses. However, print courses remain a mainstay for those who prefer to study in print or do not have internet access. The goal is to make evangelism, discipleship, and training accessible to everyone—everywhere!
Global University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an independent corporation accrediting degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the USA.
We participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), a regional approach to state oversight on postsecondary distance education. Global also holds applicant status with the Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (ABHE)
Biblical Training
Evangelical professors from various American seminaries offering online courses
Offers courses in:
Basics
Foundations
Academy
Institute
All online, free.
Seminary level courses
Some courses may be used toward a degree through Okanagan Bible College, Canada.
English (US) · 