The South African Theological Seminary (SATS) is a private, distance-learning Bible college and theological seminary based in South Africa, opened to the public in June 1996 (with the institution registered as a company in 2002). It is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (registration number 2001/HE08/005), and its programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE). SATS is a founder member of the National Association of Distance Education Organisations in South Africa (NADEOSA) and is affiliated with several international theological education bodies, including the International Council for Evangelical Theological Education (ICETE). All SATS qualifications are delivered fully online, requiring only a computer and internet access, through its central learning platform, MySATS. The seminary offers Bible-based, Christ-centred theological and Christian counselling education aimed at preparing leaders for church and ministry contexts, ranging from higher certificates through to doctoral level. Specific current enrolment figures are not published on the official site.
Qualifications & Programmes
- Higher Certificate in Christian Life (NQF 5, 120 credits)
- Higher Certificate in Christian Counselling (NQF 5, 120 credits)
- Bachelor of Theology (NQF 7, 360 credits, approx. 3 years)
- Bachelor of Theology with Counselling Focus (NQF 7)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Theology (NQF 8, 120 credits)
- Bachelor of Theology Honours (NQF 8, 120 credits)
- Master of Divinity (NQF 9, 240 credits)
- Master of Theology – Coursework (NQF 9, 180 credits)
- Master of Theology (NQF 9, 180 credits)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Theology (NQF 10, 360 credits)