Undergraduate

Higher Certificate in Christian Life

The Higher Certificate in Christian Life offers a thorough grounding in the essentials of theological and ministerial training. The programme is suitable for pastors needing foundational theological studies and for elders, deacons, and other men and women serving actively in their churches. The three stand-out characteristics of the programme are that it is biblical (you will grow in Bible knowledge), practical (you will grow in ministry skills), and spiritual (you will grow in your walk with Christ).

There are two other reasons why you might register for the HCCL:

  1. If you wish to enrol for the BTh but you do not meet the admission requirements, you can do the Higher Certificate in Christian Life. When you graduate, you can continue with the BTh

  2. If you have a non-theological degree and you wish to enrol for the Bachelors in Theology Honours, you can do the Higher Certificate in Christian Life as a bridge into the Honours.

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Do I Qualify?

Please note that you may not register for the HCCL programme if you are currently registered for a cognate programme at another institution.

To register for the Higher Certificate in Christian Life, you need to have a school-leaving certificate. In South Africa, this is a National Senior Certificate (NSC). If you have an accredited tertiary qualification, we accept that in lieu of a school-leaving certificate.

If you do not have a school-leaving certificate, you may be admitted to the HCCL on the basis of RPL. You will be asked to complete the first five courses on probation as stand-alone courses. If you pass them, demonstrating that the ability to study at this level, you may enrol for the HCCL.

If you complete the Higher Certificate in Christian Life and wish to enrol for the BTh, 60 credits from the HCCL may be transferred to the BTh.

Courses

Programme requirements

Compulsory Courses

These are the courses that you must do in order to graduate from the Higher Certificate in Christian Life. If you earn 120 credits but do not have all of them as completed courses, you will not be eligible to graduate.

Total Credits (120)

The Higher Certificate in Christian Life requires that you earn a minimum of 120 total credits (usually 10 x 12-credit courses). In addition to your compulsory courses, you must choose 5 electives from the available courses.

Code
Course
Credits
Compulsory Courses5
BIB1121How to study the Bible12 credits
BIB1123The Words and Works of Jesus12 credits
THE1120Introduction to Theology12 credits
THE1121Christian Foundations12 credits
THE1122Biblical Worldview12 credits
Elective Courses11
BIB11221 Corinthians12 credits
BIB1124Survey of the Old Testament12 credits
BIB1125Deuteronomy12 credits
MIS2122Contemporary Issues in Missions12 credits
MIS2124The Mission of God12 credits
PRA1121Christian Relationships12 credits
PRA1122Introduction to Youth Ministry12 credits
PRA1124Biblical Leadership 112 credits
THE1123The Holy Spirit: What the Bible Teaches12 credits
THE1124Survey of Church History12 credits
THE2121The Doctrine of the Church12 credits

Timetable

The Seminary’s academic year runs from 1 February to 31 January. The year is divided into four three-month terms.

Term 1
1 Feb. to 30 Apr.

Term 2
1 May to 31 July

Term 3
1 Aug. to 31 Oct.

Term 4
1 Nov. to 31 Jan.

The majority of undergraduate courses in the Higher Certificate in Christian Life (HCCL) programme run over a three-month term. Most courses are offered twice each year, either in Term 1 and 3 or in Term 2 and 4.

You should select at least one course from each timeslot—that is, one each from Term 1, 2, 3 and 4 for the academic year. You are required to complete at least four courses each year.

Term 1 (1 February to 30 April) and Term 3 (1 August to 31 October)

Term 2 (1 May to 31 July) and Term 4 (1 November to 31 January)

How Long Does It Take?

The minimum duration is one year, but the average completion time for part-time students is two years. You have a maximum of three years to finish.

Please note: You are required to complete 48 credits every twelve months, commencing with the date of enrolment.

Pricing

Click here to see the Full Price List for all programmes

Kindly note that all fees paid to SATS are non-refundable.

Complete our online application form, or contact us.