POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN HIGHER THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION (PGDIP HTE)

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PROSPECTUS 2025

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FEES 2025

FEES 2026

GWC’s Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Theological Education is registered under the South African Qualifications Authority ID 101609, NQF Level 8, and is offered online.

Aim

The Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Theological Education (PG Dip HTE) aims at providing a professional qualification for lecturers and academic administrators in theological colleges and Christian universities across the continent of Africa and beyond. The aim of the programme is to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed for leadership in theological and Christian education as higher education. This is achieved by integrating the Christian faith with current educational practice and research to identify and solve educational issues that arise in their contexts.

CONTENT

This qualification comprises 5 compulsory courses on NQF Level 8 (90 credits) and 3 electives (45 credits) in NQF Level 8, of which learners chose 2. The minimum number of credits needed for graduation: 120 Credits.

Full Programme Modules

DURATION OF STUDY

The programme is offered on a part-time basis over two years.

Outcomes

The programme has been constructed to meet the following needs.

The need for cognitively contextualised theological education to address the particular needs of teaching and learning from an African perspective.
The need for theological education to articulate faith, leadership and mission in the context of the church.
The need for Christian educators to advocate for a Christian approach to learning that is consistent with the nature and purpose of theological education and provides an alternative to theological education being driven by secular or Western agendas.
The need for theological institutions to be able to articulate their needs in a globalised higher education environment of accountability to State accrediting bodies and to navigate effectively in this new reality.
The need for continuous professional development enabling leaders in theological education to keep abreast of developments in higher education, contribute to good institutional administration and governance, and contribute to institutional sustainability.

Graduates of the PG Dip HTE will be able to:

Synthesise concepts from the disciplines of theology and education as practiced in theological colleges to further their professional and institutional practice.
Apply a critically reflective habit to develop their professionalism in a philosophy and practice of teaching and learning, and administrative competence.
Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing the main conceptual frameworks and practical skills needed to provide theological education at a higher education level to their particular theological subject/administrative area.
Conduct and apply research to current practice and theory of higher education in their institutional and cultural context to meet its specific mission goals.
Lead change in the provision of theological education by identifying issues of concern and providing solutions in a coherent, theological, ethical and educational manner.
Work effectively as a team member within a theological institution setting to support institutional efforts to improve student learning in theological education.

Entrance Requirements

Appropriate NQF Level 7 Bachelor’s degree in theology or a discipline related to the curriculum needs of higher theological education, as determined by the Research Committee / Programme Coordinator

Advanced Diploma in Theology at NQF Level 7.
International applicants require an evaluation of your highest qualification from the SA Qualifications Authority which can take 3-6 months to acquire from SAQA or proof of a qualification completed at an ACTEA accredited institution; as well as proof of English language proficiency through the IELTS test (6.5 overall and 6.0 for the written element) or TOEFL (computerised 232/575; internet based 90/91).The following link will enable you to find out more about the IELTS and TOEFL tests and will enable you to locate a learning and testing centre near to where you live: https://www.ets.org/toefl/
Applications for exemption from the testing can be made (with appropriate motivation) to the Faculty Board, whose decision is final. Further details may be obtained from the Assistant Registrar.
Admission through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is permitted for a maximum of 10% of the enrolment for any year. See the RPL Policy or Student Handbook for details of RPL procedures.

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Foreign students who have English as a second language may be required to complete a TOEFL Test (or similar) to prove proficiency in English at a level suitable for academic study.

English language requirement: You must have an English Language qualification to be accepted onto a course at the University. The minimum acceptable English Language requirement for undergraduate courses is IELTS – 6.0 overall and 5.0 for the written element. This is equivalent to 213 in the computerised TOEFL test, 550 in the written TOEFL test, or 79 – 80 in the internet based TOEFL test.

For postgraduate courses you must have IELTS – 6.5 overall and 6.0 for the written element. This is equivalent to 232 in the computerised TOEFL test, 575 in the written TOEFL test or 90 – 91 in the internet based TOEFL test. Equivalent English language qualifications may be accepted.

The following link will enable you to find out more about the IELTS and TOEFL tests and will enable you to locate a learning and testing centre near to where you live: https://www.ets.org/toefl/