Start studies at TEEC
What is your study / ministry goal?
Being clear about why you wish to dip into theology and start studies will help you choose the appropriate programme and select courses that will benefit you.
I expect to be licensed / commissioned / ordained by my church for ministry
Speak to your church training authorities (your local minister should be able to introduce you). They will guide you to appropriate study programmes and suitable courses. They will likely include you in a local support group and keep track of your study progress through the church training structures. This is a major help when studying by extension.
You will likely be directed to the Diploma in Theology or Bachelor of Theology programmes.
I'm involved in my church and want to learn more (but I'm not thinking of becoming an official minister)
Look at the Higher Certificate programmes in the Christian ministry stream – particularly if the ministry focus of any of those programmes matches your ministry goals (such as preaching, leading worship, pastoral care, etc.). These Higher Certificates will give you a good discipleship foundation and then help you focus on particular skills to enable your ministry.
If you would like a general introduction to theological and biblical subjects then consider the Higher Certificate in Theology.
I'm involved in a teaching role (at school, college or with leading church classes)
The Advanced Certificate in Religious Education will enhance and extend your teaching of religious and theological topics (at school or college, confirmation and baptism classes, Sunday school, or the catechumenate). This programme introduces you to related content as well as teaching practice. It assumes that you already have an initial qualification (certificate, diploma or degree).
I'm a Christian who simply wants to learn more
The first four discipleship-focused courses on the Christian ministry Higher Certificates will give you a grounded and well-integrated introduction to central Biblical and theological themes. Those fundamental courses then become a spring-board should you wish to continue with any of the the related Christian ministry programmes.
It is possible to sign-up for individual courses for any of the courses (where you satisfy the programme entry requirements). This is generally described as “NDP studies”, and completing NDP courses usually means that you can’t use the completed course towards a programme! Also, courses might have pre-requisites and expect that you had covered prior content – so do think carefully about NDP studies and ask College staff for advice.
What are the admission requirements?
Programme entrance requirements are stipulated by law. There are various mechanisms for gaining access to a programme – please do contact College staff if you are unsure about qualifying for admission.
Highest qualification
The accredited programmes at TEE College require a South African National Senior Certificate (NSC) as a minimum (this is the school-leaving certificate), or an equivalent or better academic accomplishment.
If you have gained a qualification since leaving school (degree, diploma or certificate), then this might also be used for satisfying the programme entrance requirement.
Each programme web page and related Handbook describes the required entrance requirements for admission to that programme.
Access Assessment
If you do not hold a completed NSC (or equivalent) then the TEEC Access Assessment is an option that can potentially give you access to a programme. This is not a bridging course but an assessment of your current academic ability for study on TEEC programmes.
Please note that this evaluation only works for TEEC programmes, you can’t use the results of this assessment with other higher education institutions. Use the link below for more information.
Non-South African qualifications
If the qualification you intend to use for admission to a study programme is not on the South African Qualifications Framework then you are required to have your qualification evaluated by SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority). This takes time and can be expensive.
An alternative route for those holding foreign qualifications is to use the TEEC Access Assessment described above, which is less complicated route to help you start studies sooner.
Age exemptions
In the past, those who did not have schooling certification gained access to programmes through one of the statutory age exemptions – unfortunately this admission route saw really high failure rates on our programmes!
For this reason we recommend the TEEC Access Assessment as an accessible tool that provides a realistic assessment for success in studying with TEE College.
Where academic ability is clearly known but there is some difficulty with documentation then the Exam Board might consider using an age exemption for giving access to a study programme. This can only apply to people over the age of 45 where academic ability can be demonstrated in other ways. Speak to staff about this option.
Choosing a study programme
Programmes have particular requirements, serve specific purposes, and connect to other programmes in particular ways. Always be clear about your study goals and programme choice before you start studies.
I'm not sure which programme I should start studying
We’re here to help. Use the link below for a tool that will weigh up your options and suggest which programmes are available to you.
Don’t forget that if you expect your church to recognise the studies you complete then you do need to be in conversation with them too.
I know the kind of programme I want to study on
Please remember, changing programmes after you start studies can be complicated! There can also be disappointments where studies completed on one programme can’t easily be transferred to another programme.
Staff are available to answer any questions. If you’re feeling confident then use the link below to review the programmes that TEE College offers.
Planning your studies
Part-time students who are working people need to be realistic in the course workload that they choose. The intention is to learn and grown in ministry through learning, and that requires appropriate time to engage with studies and to put learning into practice.
Consider your available time
Start with a realistic assessment of your own available time before you start studies. Weigh up your other responsibilities – home, family, work, church, friends, social, sport, community involvement, etc. Setting aside regular dedicated time for studies is a very helpful first step. Be aware that more time will be needed for practical tasks that happen away from your desk, and also as assignment deadlines approach.
Courses have credit values. Each credit represents 10 notional hours. Therefore a course with 12 credits requires 120 notional hours to complete – this includes working through the course material, completing the reading and tasks set, preparing for assessments and then completing the assessments.
TEE College’s language of instruction is English, and we calculate notional hours on the assumption that a student is part-time, a mature adult, involved in local ministry, and is working in a second language.
Local church involvement
TEEC students are generally engaged in local ministry.
Do speak to your local minister about your studies with TEE College. Some course tasks will require you to be active in your local congregation or community. Do be in conversation with your minister for those activities.
Cost of studies
Fees will differ according to the programme, and are published every year. These are charged per course, and the total cost will increase as you add more courses in an academic year. The fees are given in the Yearbook which is available on the programme web pages. The College does offer various payment options and discounts.
Some churches do sponsor their students, or run bursary programmes for assisting their students – do ask your local minister or your church training authority if they offer such support. Those are offered by the church – TEE College does not offer bursaries.
Students who opt to pay for up to three courses using the TEEC installment option are required to complete a debit order form for the instalments due.
There are several financial service providers who will offer other terms for study loans. You will need to get a pro-forma invoice from the College for your loan application to such institutions – please do so early for a smoother registration process.
Church requirements
Completing studies with TEE College does not automatically qualify you for licensing, commissioning, or ordination!
TEE College does not license, commission or ordain students.
Please do be in conversation with your church authorities about any requirements if you intend to serve formally in ministry within your church. Many churches work with TEEC and they will give you advice with respect to choices on our programmes and courses, you can then start studies with confidence.
College staff can advise regarding course and programme content – we cannot advise regarding your church’s training requirements.