Cornerstone Institute traces its roots to 1970, when it was founded as the Cape Evangelical Bible Institute to provide theological education to pastors excluded from mainstream universities under apartheid. Following a change of benefactor in 2015, it broadened from a theology-focused college into a comprehensive private higher education institution. Its campus is located at Rex Trueform Office Park, 263 Victoria Road, Salt River, Cape Town, Western Cape, and it also offers distance/online study. Cornerstone specialises in Psychology, Business Studies, Education (including PGCE teacher training), Theology and Ethics, and Sociology and Community Development, with a signature General Education component covering leadership, ethics and South African history. It is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution (Registration Certificate No. 2001/HE08/006, company registration 2004/025078/08), and its formal qualifications are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the National Qualifications Framework via SAQA.
Qualifications & Programmes
- Faculty of Humanities:
- Bachelor of Arts (General)
- Bachelor of Arts in Alternative Education
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts in Theology
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Community Development
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication (currently inactive for 2026 intake)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Community Development
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology (Academic pathway)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology (BPsych equivalent pathway)
- Faculty of Commerce:
- Higher Certificate in Business Studies (distance only)
- Bachelor of Commerce (distance only)
- Faculty of Theology:
- Higher Certificate in Christian Ministry
- Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership
- School of Education:
- Higher Certificate in Community Development
- Higher Certificate in Community Counselling
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Foundation Phase Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Intermediate Phase Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) – Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (FET) Teaching
- Also offered: various short courses / Extended Professional Learning (EPL) courses (see https://cornerstone.ac.za/short-courses/)