University in South Africa
Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
University profile
St Joseph's Theological Institute (RF) NPC (SJTI) is a Catholic institute of higher learning situated in the African context, at Cedara in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, about 20 km from Pietermaritzburg and 10 km from Howick. It was founded in 1943 by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate as a scholasticate for priestly candidates and is today an intercontinental, pan-African and ecumenical academic, spiritual and pastoral institution that admits men and women from many religious and cultural traditions. Since 1994 it has had a pan-African and international student profile.
Teaching is organised in departments: Philosophy (BA in Philosophy, 360 credits, six semesters), Theology (BA in Theology, 360 credits, three years full time with part-time study accommodated; and a Bachelor of Theology, an eight-semester degree that meets the academic requirements for Catholic priestly ordination), Development Studies (BA in Human and Social Development, three-year NQF level 7, minimum 360 credits, part-time up to twelve semesters) and a one-year Post Graduate Diploma in Theology. It also runs a non-accredited Formation for Formators programme and short courses, including a personalised sabbatical programme and courses in peace studies, child protection and parish operations management.
The Institute is a partner in the Pietermaritzburg Cluster of Theological Institutions together with the Evangelical Seminary of Southern Africa, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary, and students may use cluster libraries. The Daniel Corijn Centre for Leadership Formation, established in 2024, is a unit that advances community engagement through leadership development, collaborative research and creative work.
The academic year starts in early February, with a winter break from about 15 June to 18 July and a second semester running to the end of November. English is the language of instruction. Student life includes a Student Forum, the Oikos justice, peace and environment group, an Interfaith Dialogue Forum, a choir, a band, a charismatic group and Youth for Life. Women students and sabbatical participants can stay at the Enkanyisweni Residence managed by the Institute, and men in the religious houses of the Institute's stakeholders.
Applicants from outside South Africa are considered case by case by the Exemptions Committee under the Institute's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and relevant State regulations. Applications are made through the online student portal.
The Institute offers bursaries that create access to higher education for the local community. In 2018 the Rogers-Breetzke Bursary was awarded for the BA in Philosophy and the Bishop Barry Wood OMI Bursary for the Higher Certificate in Human and Social Development. Enquiries about current bursaries go to [email protected] or +27 33 492 0246. See the Institute's scholarships announcement; donations to support students can be made through the Institute's donate page.
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View scholarships for St Joseph’s Theological Institute NPC →Applicants need a National Senior Certificate certified by Umalusi, a Senior Certificate or an equivalent (especially for students from outside South Africa), with a rating of 4 (50 to 59%) or better in four subjects and at least 40% in English, the language of instruction. All students sit an English proficiency test (equivalent to TOEFL Intermediate or Pitman Intermediate). The BA in Human and Social Development specifies a Bachelor's Pass and a minimum of 16 points; an NSC Diploma Pass leads to a non-degree programme from which students can later transfer, and the Advanced Certificate in Human and Social Development (NQF 6) is an RPL and credit-accumulation route.
Students enrolling in the BA in Theology to prepare for Catholic ordained ministry must also have completed at least two years of philosophical studies. The same applies to the Post Graduate Diploma in Theology, for which a degree in Theology is required. No qualification can serve as an early exit from another.
The Exemptions Committee considers applicants with equivalent or non-South African qualifications case by case under the Institute's RPL policy (PG 6.3 and PG 4.2.2) and State higher-education regulations.
BA Philosophy: six semesters, at least three years. BA Theology: three years full time (part time accommodated). Bachelor of Theology: eight semesters. BA Human and Social Development: minimum three years full time, up to six years part time. Post Graduate Diploma in Theology: one year. Formation for Formators: six three-week sessions over three years in January and July (non-accredited; requires Matric pass or equivalent, final vows or ordination, English, and recommendation by a major superior).
Applications are submitted through the online portal at sjti.studentmanager.co.za/Apply. Registrar: [email protected], +27 33 492 0246.
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