University in South Africa
Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
University profile
The Theological Education by Extension College (TEE College, TEEC) is an ecumenical private higher education institution that delivers accredited theological and Christian ministry programmes by distance learning across Southern Africa. It was created under the auspices of the South African Council of Churches on 23 March 1976, with a head office at 167 Delphinium Street, Brackenhurst, Alberton, Gauteng. Students do not attend lectures or visit the College: they study where they live and work and apply their learning in their own church and community.
The College is registered as a Private Higher Education Institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training (registration 2008/HE08/002), as a non-profit company (2007/030481/08) and as a public benefit organisation (930028166). Its programmes are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered on the National Qualifications Framework with SAQA. A Board of Directors governs it under the Higher Education Act and the Companies Act, and the staff team is led by the Principal, who is also an executive director.
Programmes are grouped in two streams. The Theology stream comprises the Bachelor of Theology (364 credits, NQF 7, three-year full-time equivalent), the Diploma in Theology (360 credits, NQF 6, three-year equivalent) and the Higher Certificate in Theology (120 credits, NQF 5, one year). The Christian ministry stream comprises the Advanced Certificate in Religious Education and four Higher Certificates (NQF 5): Christian Leadership and Management, Christian Proclamation, Christian Worship and Pastoral Care (120 credits, one-year equivalent).
The Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa, Methodist Church of Southern Africa, Roman Catholic Church, The Salvation Army Southern Africa Territory, United Congregational Church of Southern Africa and Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa take part in the College's academic work and support their students locally. Students come from over 28 Christian traditions plus independent students, and church membership is not required, although students must be involved in a local church because assessment includes practical work there.
Each course on an accredited programme links the student to a marker who assesses assignments and gives written feedback. The four ministry Higher Certificates are available through an online learning platform; the Bachelor of Theology, Diploma and Higher Certificate in Theology are print-based, with all printed materials included in the course fee. Students outside South Africa can apply, and the College couriers printed materials with set deadlines.
Several participating churches do, so students preparing for ministry are directed to their church training authorities. Course fees can be spread through Option C instalments, and sponsors, churches and groups may pay on a student's behalf using the student number or ID number as the payment reference.
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View scholarships for Theological Education by Extension College NPC →A completed post-school qualification can also satisfy entry requirements. Foreign qualifications not on the South African framework must be evaluated by SAQA, or applicants may use the Access Assessment.
Applicants without an NSC (or equivalent), or who have long been out of formal study, may sit the College's internal Access Assessment, which tests academic ability, readiness for distance study and English competence and gives access to NQF level 5, 6 or 7 programmes at TEEC only. It is not a bridging course, gives no credit and has no value at other institutions. Fee R500 plus R120 courier within South Africa; it can be taken at any time of year and re-attempted after 6 months if unsuccessful. The Exam Board may consider an age exemption only for applicants over 45 whose ability is otherwise demonstrated. Credit transfer from other accredited programmes is handled through the CAT and RPL policy.
Term dates for 2027: 7 January to 19 March, 5 April to 25 June, 12 July to 17 September, and 27 September to 14 December.
Request an application pack with the application inquiry form, choose a programme with your church training authorities, supply ID and the highest qualification, select delivery options and submit through the Catalyst student administration system or by email, post or courier. After academic approval a pro-forma invoice is issued, and registration is completed once the application fee and course payments, or deposit and debit order mandate, are received before the closing date. A student with outstanding debt, expelled from any institution or currently suspended cannot be registered.
Contact: [email protected], +27 11 683 3284; [email protected] for international proof of payment.
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