St John Vianney Seminary NPC

General admission (Bachelor programmes, NQF 7)

Applicants need a National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor Pass certified by Umalusi, or a Senior Certificate with exemption. A minimum rating of 4 (50 to 59%) in English is required; the Umalusi bachelor criteria also call for a rating of 4 or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects and at least 30% in English as the language of learning. Senior Certificate holders must have passed English and three other subjects with an aggregate of 950.

Other school-leaving routes

National Certificate (Vocational) holders need at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including English and at least 70% in four vocational subjects. Applicants without an NSC may present a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation equivalent to Grade 12. N4 to N6 certificate holders may gain access subject to the alternative routes below.

Alternative routes (maximum 10% of a cohort for RPL)

• Recognition of Prior Learning under the SJV RPL Policy.
• An admission test, with at least 50% required.
• Discretionary selection, for candidates who complete all first-year modules of the programme they wish to join.

The Academic Committee, chaired by the Academic Dean, decides all alternative-route admissions. Applicants aged at least 23 with a Senior Certificate or NSC without a Bachelor Pass may apply to the Matriculation Board for an endorsed exemption, and applicants over 40 without a certificate may apply for age exemption.

International applicants

Non-South African applicants need a certificate equivalent to the NSC with Bachelor Pass or Senior Certificate with exemption, evaluated by SAQA, plus a valid passport, visa and study permit (in the seminary's name), proficiency in English, proof of medical insurance for the full period of study and a reference letter from the school, bishop or equivalent religious leader. The application package includes a certified passport copy, certified copies of international qualifications, the SAQA certificate, proof of the application fee, and two ID-size photos. After provisional acceptance, one year's tuition and residence fees are paid in advance, and the applicant travels only after the study permit is obtained. Spousal visa holders and refugee permit holders may apply. Unsuccessful applicants have 14 days to appeal in writing to the Academic Dean. Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian permission.

Fees (2025 schedule)

• SJV residential students (full board and lodging): R105,980 per year, or R52,990 per semester.
• External religious students (day students from religious houses): R42,540 per year, or R21,270 per semester.
• External private students: R42,540 per year plus a non-refundable R3,000 registration fee for new students.
• Theology Three Work-Integrated Learning (semester 1 only): R4,380. Theology Three students do not pay for semester 1 beyond this fee, and Theology Five students do not pay for semester 2.
• Tuition is paid in two equal instalments, 50% by 31 March and the balance by 31 July. Medical expenses, retreat costs, textbooks, transport and stationery are charged separately. Post-exam fees: script viewing R60, remark R210, alumni transcript (second and later requests) R350.

Applications and enquiries: [email protected] or [email protected].

• Main campus, 179 Main Street, Waterkloof, Pretoria (0181): the only site. It houses the Philosophy, Theology and Pastoral departments, the formation staff, lecture rooms and the seminary residences including the St John XXIII Residence (30 beds, opened 2014).
• St Peter's Library: opened on 11 April 2011 on the west side of the main building; open Monday to Friday 08:00 to 15:30 with breaks (closed on public holidays, weekends and afternoons of the last Friday of each month). Catalogue on the AccessIt web-based system; semester loans, 30-day open-shelf loans for lecturers (up to 6 books) and short-loan reserve shelves.
• Practical placements: Theology Three students complete Work-Integrated Learning in assigned parishes.