Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership (Christian Ministry) at Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership is a three-year NQF 7 degree that equips Grade 12 leavers and mature first and second-career students to lead effectively in churches and communities. The Christian Ministry specialisation prepares leaders for ministry by combining leadership studies theory with an understanding of local and global contexts, including Word and liturgical ministry, pastoral care, spiritual well-being and public engagement. It is offered in distance (online) mode.

Faculty: Humanities | Department: Theology and Ethics | Duration: Minimum 3 years (360 credits, NQF 7); part-time up to 9 years | Study mode: distance | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The degree combines Biblical Studies, Christian Faith Studies and Leadership Studies components with a specialisation field and a final-year Research Project. Sample modules include New Testament: An Introduction, Missiology, Christian Spirituality Foundations, Homiletics, Pastoral Care and Practice, Contemporary Theology and Christian Leadership Fieldwork.

Career pathways

Church and faith-based leadership, pastoral care and counselling, and community development roles; the degree also gives access to further postgraduate study.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Bachelor of Theology in Community Leadership (programme-level requirements): National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a bachelor's pass or equivalent; or a Matriculation Certificate (with university exemption) or equivalent; or a Higher Certificate, Advanced Certificate or Diploma in a cognate field. Alternative admission (with Senate approval): an NSC or National Certificate (Vocational) with a diploma pass (or equivalent) combined with National Benchmark Test (NBT) results; applicants aged 23 or over in the first year of study with an NSC (or equivalent), where the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy conditions and NBT results determine admission; applicants aged 45 or over may be admitted, determined by RPL conditions and NBT results. Applicants admitted under the diploma-pass route must register for the Extended Programme for Academic Development, which stretches the prescribed modules over a minimum of four years.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Semester 1 2027 intake: classes commence 15 February 2027. A July intake registers for semester 2 (July to November).

Applications and registration for the 2027 academic year (Semester 1 intake) open on 15 October 2026 and close on 31 January 2027; late registrations 1 - 7 February 2027. The application fee is R150 for all new students.

Financial aid applications for new students registering for the July intake close at the end of June; for the January intake at the end of January.

Apply through the official page: https://unisis.cornerstone.ac.za/apply/

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