Akademie Reformatoriese Opleiding en Studies (Aros) is a private, Christian higher education institution based in Montana Park, Pretoria, with a secondary office in George, Western Cape (opened February 2025). Aros was established in 2003, originating from an initiative connected to the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education to offer teacher training in Pretoria following the restructuring of South African higher education. The institution operates within the Reformed theological tradition, grounding its academic ethos in the five solas of the Reformation (sola Scriptura, sola Gratia, sola Fide, solus Christus, soli Deo Gloria) and a commitment to Christian scholarship. Aros is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 (registration number 2012/HE08/001), and is registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission as a non-profit company (registration number 2010/000547/08). Aros focuses on training vocation-driven candidates for the teaching profession, delivering its curricula primarily through distance education via its e-Class online learning platform, supplemented by interactive online sessions and campus-based consultation. The institution reports approximately 3,300 enrolled students, a notable proportion of whom are already working as teaching assistants while they study. Prof. Kobus Mentz has served as rector since 1 June 2023. Instruction and materials are offered primarily in Afrikaans, with some English-medium modules.
Qualifications & Programmes
- Higher Certificate in Education (Hoër Sertifikaat in Onderwys) — SAQA ID 120165, NQF Level 5, minimum duration 1 year, 120 credits; a bridging qualification for candidates who do not meet minimum entry requirements for Aros's BEd programmes
- Bachelor of Education in Foundation Phase (Baccalaureus Educationis Grondslagfase) — SAQA ID 86167, NQF Level 7, minimum duration 4 years (extended option 6 years), 504 credits
- Bachelor of Education in Intermediate Phase (Baccalaureus Educationis Intermediêre Fase) — SAQA ID 97189, NQF Level 7, minimum duration 4 years, 504 credits
- Bachelor of Education in Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (Baccalaureus Educationis Senior Fase en Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding) — SAQA ID 111014, NQF Level 7, minimum duration 4 years, 504 credits, with subject specialisations including Economic and Management Sciences, Natural Sciences, Languages, and Consumer Sciences
- Postgraduate Certificate in Education: Senior Phase and Further Education and Training (Nagraadse Onderwyssertifikaat) — SAQA ID 110100, NQF Level 7, minimum duration 1 year (extended option 2 years), 140 credits
- Bachelor of Education Honours in Learning Support (Baccalaureus Educationis Honneurs in Leerondersteuning) — SAQA ID 120643, NQF Level 8, minimum duration 1 year, 128 credits
- Bachelor of Education Honours in Educational Management and Leadership (Baccalaureus Educationis Honneurs in Onderwysbestuur en -leierskap) — SAQA ID 122408, NQF Level 8, minimum duration 1 year, 122 credits
- Bachelor of Education Honours in Curriculum Studies (Baccalaureus Educationis Honneurs Kurrikulumstudie) — NQF Level 8 postgraduate honours programme (listed on official curriculum page; full SAQA ID/credit details not independently verified)
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Christian Philosophy (Baccalaureus Artium Honneurs Christelike Filosofie) — listed on official curriculum page as an NQF Level 8 honours programme; full SAQA ID/credit details not independently verified