University in South Africa
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
University profile
The Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie (APA, also AP Akademie) is a private higher education institution at 430 Farendenstraat, Clydesdale, Pretoria. It describes itself as a private tertiary institution in the classical Christian tradition that forms students from Reformation starting points, and its motto is "Ou spore - nuwe weë". The language of teaching and learning is Afrikaans. The prospectus states that the academy has no requirements about church membership, race or culture, and welcomes anyone who wants to study in Afrikaans on a Christian foundation.
The APA is a non-profit company (Article 21) registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act of 1997 (registration certificate 1999/HE08/001). Its programmes are accredited and registered on the National Qualifications Framework, and the prospectus lists SAQA IDs for the BA, BSocSci, BSocSci Honours in Psychology, BDiv and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education.
Programmes
Philosophy, worldview formation and spiritual deepening run through every programme. BA students take a compulsory module in Reformed life and worldview and choose between Philosophy and Biblical Studies. The institution frames its work around seven areas of influence (church, family, education, government, media, arts and recreation, business and economics), and runs short courses and a Latin correspondence course as well.
Student support is handled by the deans and programme coordinators, with orientation days at the start of each year covering academic information, conduct rules, examination regulations and use of the computers and the information centre. Professional counselling and referral services are available on a voluntary and confidential basis. Distance students need a suitable computer or laptop, a reliable internet connection and enough data.
The prospectus states that the APA receives no state subsidy; theological training is subsidised by the synod of the AP Church. International recognition of its qualifications follows the same national accreditation process as other South African institutions, and graduates who want to work abroad must check the requirements of the relevant embassy.
The APA has two bursary funds that students can apply to from their second year of study; no bursaries are given to first-year students. Bursaries do not cover total tuition and lapse if studies are stopped.
Administered by the Senate from the APA Student Support Fund. Students who completed at least one academic year at the APA can apply, submitting a full report on their finances and needs, and are expected to pass and progress. Needs-based bursaries for theology students are also administered by the Curatorium of the AP Church, for students who show academic potential but cannot afford fees; only members of an AP Church qualify. Applicants request a bursary form from the APA, complete it and send it to the Registrar at [email protected].
Administered by the Senate in consultation with the faculty councils for students who distinguish themselves academically. The minimum requirement is an average of 75%. Full-time degree students who completed their first year successfully qualify, subject to available funds.
The Willie Lubbe Theological Study Fund lends to registered and needy theology students. The loan involves a policy taken out in the applicant's name with the fund as beneficiary; the APA pays the premium during the student's studies, advances an annual amount towards the student's financial obligations, and the student continues the premium for four years after finishing as repayment. A full loan application must reach the APA on or before 5 January of the year for which assistance is required; late applications cannot be considered.
The APA also describes a debit-order system for Friends of the AP Akademie donors. Contact: [email protected], 012 344 3960. Official page: apa.ac.za/doen-aansoek and the 2027 prospectus at apa.ac.za.
Browse the scholarships listed for Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie (Die) NPC and check each award’s eligibility.
View scholarships for Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie (Die) NPC →The APA states that entry to the BA and BSocSci requires a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with an admission point score of 25, being the sum of the achievement levels of the best six subjects excluding Life Orientation, with at least level 4 (50-59%) in both Afrikaans and English. For students who want to teach with Mathematics as a school subject, level 5 (60%+) in Mathematics is needed; Mathematical Literacy does not qualify. A conditional exemption certificate from Umalusi is also accepted. A score of 24 is admitted conditionally if all subjects are passed in the first semester; scores of 21 to 23 are placed on an extended programme in which only compulsory modules are taken in the first year. Students with under 60% for Mathematics who want to take it can write a Mathematics admission test and must pass with 60% or more.
Conditional exemption is possible from age 23 on 1 January of the registration year, with one subject passed on higher grade, at least four Grade 12 subjects passed with symbols A to E, and at least three subjects passed in one sitting. Applicants aged 45 or older need no school qualification to apply for exemption. A three or four year diploma from a technikon, teachers' college, university or affiliated nursing college can give full exemption provided a Senior Certificate was held before the diploma. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is assessed by letter to the Senate, and a CAT/RPL assessment fee of R750 per subject applies. Credits earned elsewhere can be transferred subject to approval; a maximum of 50% of a completed course and 100% of an incomplete course can be recognised, and half plus one of the degree subjects and both major subjects must be taken at the APA.
A Senior Certificate with university exemption and an M-score of at least 28, or an NSC or National Certificate (Vocational) with an admission point score of at least 28, or an equivalent or appropriate higher certificate, or RPL. A symbol 5 (after 2008) in Afrikaans or English is required. A score of 27 is conditional; 24 to 26 goes onto the extended programme (Greek, Hebrew and Latin, or the compulsory theology modules, in year one). Students who want to enter the ministry must first consult the Curatorium of their church.
An NSC (from 2008) approved for higher certificate study, or a Senior Certificate (before 2008). No specific subjects are required. Applicants aged 45 or older may enter through RPL and credit transfer.
BSocSci Honours in Psychology requires a BA, BSocSci or similar NQF level 7 degree with Psychology as a major and at least 65% in third year Psychology, plus a selection process with forms from programme administration. Students who did not complete their first qualification at the APA must take the non-credit module Classical Christian Worldview (KCW4282) in addition and pay for it. Applications for the 2027 intake closed on 30 September 2026 (dates for 2027 are conditional on a minimum number of enrolments). The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (NGOS) requires a bachelor's degree of at least 360 credits or a suitable diploma at NQF level 6 of three years; at least two recognised school subjects must have been passed during that degree or diploma, one at NQF level 6 (Senior Phase) or level 7 (FET phase) to match the chosen subject didactics. Students from private institutions must supply proof of the institution's and qualification's SAQA registration. NGOS students are advised to arrange SACE registration. The APA states that RPL for the NGOS applies only to work-integrated learning.
Applications are made online through the APA website. The application fee is R500 and non-refundable. Applicants download and complete the programme subject-choice form, submit it with proof of payment, register on the online portal and upload the required documents (certified copies of ID or passport, matric certificate, school principal or employer reference, academic records, marriage certificate where applicable). Foreign students must also supply a certified copy of their study permit and proof of medical cover. Lectures for the BDiv and BSocSci Honours start on 1 February 2027 and for the BA, BSocSci and NGOS on 15 February 2027. The last registration day is 5 February 2027 for the BDiv and 19 February 2027 for the BA, BSocSci and NGOS. A deposit of R11,600 is paid with registration, of which R10,000 forms part of tuition and is refundable only if cancellation is before the date stated on the calendar.
Published first year BA tuition totals R49,600, second year R37,800 and third year R43,500; BSocSci Honours in Psychology totals R55,130. Full fees must be paid by 31 March (first semester) and 31 August (second semester). Re-examination, re-marking and Senate examination are R1,000 per paper each.
Facilities published by the institution: the FAH Van Staden Library, stocked for theology, psychology, education, Afrikaans, Biblical studies, German, French, English, philosophy, history, Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Latin, sociology, criminology, social work and ethnology, with a research reading room. Students also get access to other South African university online libraries and a range of electronic databases (for example EBSCOhost, JSTOR, Sabinet, Brill and the NRF Nexus database); registered students request EBSCOhost access from [email protected]. The prospectus lists a tea break from 10:40 to 11:10, covered parking reserved for full-time staff, and an emergency plan taught at orientation.
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