THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE“The years I spent studying at BTC, from an Undergraduate Degree to...
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THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE 2018 / 2019 PROSPECTUS
Transcript of THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE“The years I spent studying at BTC, from an Undergraduate Degree to...
THE BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE
2018 / 2019 PROSPECTUS
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ENDORSEMENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3 INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5 STATEMENT OF FAITH..…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6 CORE VALUES AT BTC…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7 MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL…………………………………………………………………………….…….. 8 REASONS TO STUDY AT BTC…………………………………………………………………………………….…….. 9 STUDYING AT BTC………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10 MEET OUR TEAM……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11 SENIOR MANAGEMENT……………………………………………………………………………………… 11 DEAN OF STUDIES……………………………………………………………………………………………… 12 SERVICE AND SUPPORT STAFF.…………………………………………………………………………. 13 ADMIN SERVICE CHARTER…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 FACULTY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15 BTC UNDERGRADUATE FACULTY………………………………………………………………………. 16 REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION………………………………………………………………………….. 17 DEGREES AT BTC……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES…………………………………………………………………………………………. 19 HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN MINISTRY………………………………………………………………….. 19 BACHELOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES……………………………………………………………………… 22 POSTGRADUATE DEGREES…………………………………………………………………………………………….. 25 BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY…………………………………………………………………………………. 25 APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27 APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS………………………………………………………………………….. 30 MASTERS IN THEOLOGY (MTh)……………………………………………………………………………………… 31 APPLYING FOR POSTGRADUATE STUDIES…………………………………………………………. 32 QUALIFICATIONS OBTAINED BEYOND OUR BORDERS………………………………………. 34 GUIDELINES FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF CAT AND RPL………………………………………………….. 36 STUDENT SUPPORT………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 43 TEXTBOOKS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45 SCHOOLOGY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46 STUDENT ASSESSMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………………. 47 EXAMINATIONS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 50 FEES AND PAYMENTS…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51 2018/ 2019 CALENDAR SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………………. 55 GENERAL RULES FOR STUDENT CONDUCT……………………………………………………………………. 58 LANGUAGE POLICY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 68 DISABILITY, HEALTH AND WELLNESS POLICY……………………………………………………………….. 69 STUDENT COMPLAINT POLICY………………………………………………………………………………………… 73 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)…………………………………………………………………………. 75
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“BTC has trained pastors to preach, teach, and pastorally care for people for many decades. Besides being an institution of excellent Theological training, it endeavors to stay on the cutting edge of how to practically tell the Jesus story in an ever changing cultural landscape. This has made BTC the theological institution of choice for us here at Eastside.” -RIAAN NIEMAND, Pastor at Eastside Community Church (Pretoria) “There is a vacuum of knowledge about God and His ways in our day. Who is He? What has the death of His son on the cross actually achieved? And how can I, indeed how must I respond in worship, praise and life? BTC is a great place to find the answers to such questions and to seek God’s face in terms of lifelong response.” -LANCE LAUGHTON, Pastor and Baptist Northern Association Coordinator “Baptist Theological College, a vibrant evangelical college where learners come from incredibly diverse array of churches and theological backgrounds. BTC is an academic institution where learners pray together, study together, and do evangelistic work together. Denominational differences are no barrier to true unity in Christ. Truly a picture of the body of Christ united by Christ and His Gospel.” -SIYABULELA ZALABE, 2017 SRC President and BTC Alumni “The years I spent studying at BTC, from an Undergraduate Degree to Masters Degree, were fulfilling years for me. My calling was affirmed, gifting sharpened and knowledge of the Scriptures was enhanced with deep theological precision. I recommend BTC to anyone who desires to honor God with their time in ministry. You will not only be taught the Word, but you will be allowed to explore various ministry opportunities that are available in the body of Christ and also be given skills of how to effectively defend the Gospel even in the marketplace.” -REV. SIBUSISO MFEKA, Alumni and BTC Lecturer
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“I will always be grateful to the Lord for the privilege of studying at BTC. After almost 25 years in pastoral ministry, I continue to reap the benefits of my initial training. I find that I often quote my teachers and draw on their vast knowledge and intense commitment to Christ as I seek to honour their legacy and follow in their footsteps. I continue to be inspired and challenged by their commitment to faithful pastoral ministry, their passion for the Word of God and their theological acumen.” -REV. GAVIN WOOD, Pastor at Northcliff Union Church (Johannesburg) “Our nation, and indeed our world, is in desperate need of transformation – true, deep transformation that can only come through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Solidly evangelical training institutions are a vital cog in equipping believers for gospel ministry, and BTC ticks some key boxes in that regard: a credible training institution offering a balanced and recognized curriculum, coupled with practical equipping and exposure to the needs in our society.” -REV. GAVIN JOHNSTON, Pastor at Randburg Baptist Church “My four years at BTC prepared me for life and ministry through engaging lecturers who not only presented relevant, thought provoking content but always encouraged the learners to dig deeper, search wider and more importantly were practitioners rather than theorists.”
-ED RAMSAMI, National Director at Youth for Christ, South Africa
“As a beneficiary of the excellent theological education from the Baptist Theological College (BTC), both as a former student and part of the faculty today, I attest that the successes I have experienced in ministry are the results of the training I received at BTC, and this training has empowered me to fulfill the imperative of 2 Timothy 2 verse 2 through my training of other ministers at Metanoia Bible Institute in the township of Sebokeng. BTC remains a premier theological institution on the African Continent!” -DR. WALTER MAQOMA, Principal of Metanoia Bible Institute and Youth Pastor at Koinonia Bible Church
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The Baptist Theological College, or BTC as it is fondly known, is pleased to be able to share a little
of who we are in the 2018 edition of our Prospectus. We trust you will find this information of great
value, and we hope to see you sitting in one of our lecture rooms or completing one of our distance
learning courses in the near future.
BTC was established by the Baptist Union of Southern Africa in 1951 and was first located in Central
Johannesburg. The reason for establishing BTC was to prepare pastors for Baptist churches. Over
the years, the focus has broadened significantly to include not only the training of pastors for churches
but also youth pastors and missionaries. The denominational focus has also changed, and BTC now
welcomes learners from all denominations and church backgrounds who are willing to accept our
Statement of Faith.
Over the past 67 years BTC has established itself as one of the premier ministry training institutions
in the country, welcoming a diverse student body and viewing ourselves as a world-class African
Seminary. Read more about our history on our website.
The mission statement of the Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa is to offer people that are
called to Christian ministry; a biblically-based and relevant theological education that focusses on
devotional integrity, practical competence and academic excellence.
This theological education is shaped by our commitment to the inspired Word of God and our belief
that the Church can and should be relevant in contemporary society.
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1. We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments in their original writings as fully
inspired by God and accept them as the supreme and Final authority for faith and life.
2. We believe in our God, eternally existing in three persons - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe that Jesus Christ was begotten by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary and is
true God and true man.
4. We believe that God created man in His own image; that man sinned and thereby incurred the
penalty of death, physical and spiritual; that all human beings inherit a sinful nature which
issues (in the case of those who reach moral responsibilities) in actual transgression involving
personal guilt.
5. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins, a substitutionary sacrifice, according to
the Scriptures and that all who believe in Him are justified on the ground of His shed blood.
6. We believe in the bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, His Ascension into heaven and
His present life as our High Priest and Advocate.
7. We believe in the personal return of our Lord Jesus Christ.
8. We believe that all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ by faith are born again of the Holy Spirit
and thereby become children of God.
9. We believe in the resurrection both of the just and the unjust, the eternal blessedness of the
redeemed and the eternal banishment of those who have rejected the offer of salvation.
10. We believe that the one true Church is the whole company of those who have been redeemed by
Jesus Christ and regenerated by the Holy Spirit; that the local church on earth should take its
character from this conception of the Church spiritually and therefore that the new birth and
personal confession of Christ are essentials of Church membership.
11. We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ appointed two ordinances ‘Baptism’ and the ‘Lord’s
Supper’ to be observed as acts of obedience and as perpetual witnesses to the cardinal facts of
the Christian faith; that Baptism is immersion of the believer in water as a confession of and
identification with Christ in burial and resurrection and that the Lord’s Supper is the
partaking of bread and wine as symbolic of the Saviour’s broken body and shed blood in
remembrance of His sacrificial death.
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To equip believers for Christian ministry globally
Through contact and distance learning: make Evangelical theological education and ministry preparation available
primarily to Southern Africa and then the global community
PERSONAL STAFF DEVOTIONAL VALUES:
Servanthood - Passion in Work
“I will put my hand to whatever I find to do with all my might” (Eccl. 9:10)
Sacredness - Excellence in Delivery
“Every part of my work is service rendered unto the Lord” (Eph. 6:7)
Sincerity - Committed to our Evangelical Constituency
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves” (Eph. 2:10)
Service - Innovation in Delivery
“I am available to serve at every available opportunity” (Matt. 20:20-28)
Surrender - Integrity in Education
“As part of a team I ensure that things operate decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40)
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Dear Student,
Some of the happiest years of my life were those spent as a student at BTC. I loved the Bible
and I enjoyed having those rigorous discussions on theology with my class mates; and
strategizing the best ways for doing practical ministry. I was being challenged and sharpened
by every encounter of theological interaction, and with every ministry endeavour I had. My
love for the Lord and for His Word grew tremendously. Now, I love being in ministry, and my
years in Engineering, just cannot compare.
As a student I received more than I expected and am grateful to the Lord for BTC; but now I am
an educator here. What a privilege! I have always desired to give my learners more than I have
received when I was a student. This being so, our first and fundamental task as a college is
missional. The message of Christ is our focus.
I believe that Baptists are trusted among Evangelicals to provide a much sought after biblically
based and accredited theological education, where academic, spiritual (devotional) and
practical (vocational) aspects are catered for in our curriculum. Baptist (Evangelical)
Theology is broad and biblical. We take it that the only unchanging authority in this changing
world is the Word of God, the Bible.
Therefore, we consider it our obligation to train our learners in a biblical exegetical discipline,
which will enable them to preach Christ and to teach their congregations the Christian way
with biblical confidence. That obligation is enhanced in our aim to make our education and
training contextual, church-ward, strategic, theological, integrated (“head”, “heart” and
“hand”), servant-moulding, equipping and wholesomely Christian. We are aimed towards a
united, relevant and credible Baptist theological education in Southern Africa.
The fact that our theological education is accredited by the Council for Higher Education, gives
greater credence in the quality of our training and of our qualifications. Our accreditation must
be considered as our most valuable asset. We are committed to use this asset to facilitate
theological education undergirded by church cooperation. College and Church together, we
believe, will demonstrate our deliberate commitment to practical competency and spiritual
formation of our learners within a self, others and community setting.
Blessings,
Prof Dr. ‘Piff’ G.C. Pereira
Professor Dr. 'Piff' G.C. Pereira
(BTh) (Arts), LTh Hons (BTC). MA, D. Litt et Phil (UJ), PhD (UP)) is the
acting Principal of BTC.
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1. HIGH STANDARD TEACHING STAFF
BTC has a very high standard in selecting its teaching staff. Starting with the Principal to most of the Heads of departments, the teaching staff have doctoral degrees earned from some of the best universities in the world. We also have specialty teaching staff in the areas of Greek, Hebrew, Missions, Youth, and Pastoral studies. Experience plays as much a role as the academic side of the subjects taught within each of our teacher’s lives. BTC is also proud of its international, multi-cultural and multigenerational staff compliment.
2. ACCREDITED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BTC is an accredited College with the Department of Education alongside all other registered Colleges in the private and public sector. This means that our subjects, certificate and degrees are recognised by the registered sector of education. This recognition extends further to many Theological Seminaries and Colleges overseas.
3. INTEGRATED THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION BTC has aligned itself with international trending in presenting an integrated theological education. This means that the classical subjects of biblical studies, biblical languages, church history and systematic theology are taught from an Evangelical perspective where the Bible is honoured as the “inspired Word of God” (2 Tim. 3:16). Secondly, there is a further Major subject choice resulting in a professional outcome of competency (Either pastoral, youth, or missions). Thirdly, a significant amount of the curriculum is devoted to personal spiritual development and practical exposure to ministry. These “three integrated” rings form the overall curriculum.
4. DENOMINATIONALLY BASED IN THE BAPTIST UNION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA BTC is one of the official training Colleges of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa which has a long and respected history in Southern Africa. Most of the BTC teaching staff are also accredited with the Baptist Union Ministry Board and subscribe to the Evangelical statement of faith of the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.
5. INTER-DENOMINATIONALLY CONNECTED BTC is inter-denominationally connected. The specifically Baptist subjects as well as the biblical languages are electives. Someone who does not plan to work within the arena of Baptist ministry does not need to register for a Baptist specific subject.
Written by: Dr. Desmond Henry
Dr. Desmond has been a part of BTC since October 2012 as the staff
Missiologist, and was appointed Registrar and Missiologist in
September 2014.
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Study Methods BTC is an accredited Private Higher Education Institution, No. 2000/HE08/004, offering both Contact (Contact Residential Studies) and Distance Studies (Blended-Online). Contact Learners (Contact/ Residential) The College has a dynamic multi-generational and multi-national student body who attend
lectures at our beautiful campus in Randburg, South Africa.
While the sacrifices are great, the benefits of a dedicated period of study in preparation for a
lifetime of ministry are easy to see. The interaction between Learners and staff is impossible to
duplicate for distance Learners. Contact Learners are required to attend ALL lectures as this
forms part of each course’s due performance. Permission from the Principal is required in order to
miss lectures. Learners who do not attend the full quota of lectures will be required to repeat the
course. The College’s semesters run mostly with the Gauteng school terms. BTC operates
from 08:00 – 16:00 Mondays to Thursday, and 08:00-15:00 on Fridays. You can find our
complete calendar online and a summary at the back of this prospectus.
Distance Learners (Blended Online) Distance studies have become an integral part of our South Africa post matriculation education
system. This pattern is particularly true of study Programmes for professionals. It means that
those, who for some reason cannot attend College on a contact basis, are not deprived of the
opportunity of obtaining tertiary theological education.
Distance Learners receive study notes and course directives which guide them through the
study of prescribed books. Lecturers may be contacted at the College for help and advice; their
contact information can be found in your course directives. Learners should plan to give three to
five hours of study per week per course/subject. An average correspondence Learner completes
two or three courses per semester.
Distance studies rely on email and courier services to deliver study materials, and to send and
receive assignments and exams.
Exams will be emailed to invigilators. The only restriction is that ALL distance exams must be
written by hand and the script e-mailed back immediately and then couriered back to the
College by the invigilator within twenty-four hours of writing the exam. For both contact and
distance learners, assignments must be uploaded onto Schoology and sent to the respective
lecturer in the correct format according to the College Assignment Writing Guide. Both the
Writing Guide and Schoology instructions can be viewed on our website at www.btc.co.za.
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SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The Acting Principal: Prof. Dr. Piff Pereira
Gregory ‘Piff’ Pereira [BTh (Arts), LTh Hons (BTC). MA, D. Litt
et Phil (Univ of JHB), PhD (UP] obtained his BTh (Arts) degree
from the University of Zululand in 1996 and in that same year
he received his Licentiate in Theology (LTh) from the Baptist
Theological College in Johannesburg.
He has served as the Senior Pastor of the New Life Baptist
Church, Bosmont, for ten years. Dr. Piff is married to Vercia and
has three adult children: Angelique, Lucienne and Luke.
While pastoring, Dr. Piff completed his MA degree at RAU with distinction and went on to
complete his doctoral degree in New Testament Theology in 2002, at the same University.
During his time here at BTC, he completed a second doctoral degree in 2010; this time in Old
Testament studies through the University of Pretoria. He also serves on the boards of both
international and local missionary groups.
Registrar and Missiologist: Dr. Desmond Henry
Dr. Desmond is married to Lara and has three daughters:
Gabriella, and Anabella and Olivia, who are twins. Lara serves
as a teacher in a local Christian school. Dr. Desmond
graduated with a Bachelor of Theology Hons. from BTC and
accepted a call to the Open Baptist Church in Gabarone
(Botswana), where he served as an Associate Pastor until 2011,
when he accepted the Executive Pastor post at Eastside
Community Church in Pretoria East. Dr. Desmond completed
his Masters Degree with the University of Pretoria in 2011 and
is one of the few PhD graduates in Missiology in Southern
Africa.
Dr. Desmond has a love for people and enjoys academic engagement and has published a book,
‘Quintessential Mission,’ and authored numerous articles published in accredited journals
(nationally and internationally). In 2014, Dr. Desmond was appointed as an Extraordinary
Senior Lecturer to the North West University to work in the area of post-graduate studies
learners alongside BTC. Dr. Desmond joined BTC fulltime in October 2012 as the staff
Missiologist, and was appointed Registrar and Missiologist in September 2014.
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DEAN OF STUDENTS
Dean of Students and Lecturer in Pastoral and Biblical Studies: Dr. Terrel Manikam
Dr. Terrel Manikam (BTh (University of Zululand), LTh (BTC),
MA (RAU), D Litt et Phil (Univ of JHB) and his wife Hazel,
married in June 1995 and have four children: Caleb, Rebekah-
Grace, Gabriel and Joshua.
Dr. Terrel obtained his BTh degree from the University of
Zululand in 2000. A year thereafter, he obtained his Licentiate
in Theology degree from the Baptist Theological College in
Randburg. During his pastorate at the New Life Baptist
Church, he completed his MA degree at Rand Afrikaans
University in 2004.
Whilst serving the churches in the Stanger area in KZN, he completed his doctoral degree in New
Testament studies – with a focus on preparing God’s people for the return of Christ from
Revelation 14 (and the Pseudepigraphical book of 1 Enoch 1-36). He is currently registered with
the University of Northwest and is completing a PhD in Apologetics. Dr. Terrel served as a
Student Pastor and Associate Pastor (Worship and Evangelism) at the New Life Baptist Church
(Bosmont) for seven years. He thereafter was called to his hometown in Stanger where he served
with his family in the Bethel Baptist Church, Valley View Baptist Church (Glendale) and helped
plant the Phakamani-Bethel Baptist Church (LOT 14 in Stanger). After nine years of ministry in
the Stanger area, he joined the BTC staff.
DEPARTMENTAL HEADS
HOD Systematic Theology
Prof. Piff Pereira
HOD Biblical Studies and Research
Prof. Piff Pereira
HOD Practical Theology and Ministry
Dr. Terrel Manikam
HOD Languages
Rev. Megan Braithwaite
Acting HOD in Youth Studies
Rev. Barry Brokensha
HOD Missions
Dr. Desmond Henry
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OUR COMMITMENT1
The Baptist Theological College Administration Department strives to provide excellent service
delivery by providing accurate information and prioritizing the needs of our clients in a
professional manner. In doing this we endeavor to minister to Learners as they are being equipped
for Ministry.
WE AIM TO PROVIDE
Courteous and professional service to our Clients
Up-to-date and relevant information
Fair treatment of our Clients
Prompt and detailed response to communication received from Clients
Adequate response to Client complaints and concerns
IN DOING THIS WE WILL
Listen to Client requests patiently and respond courteously
Respect the Client and their respective needs
Ensure fixed standards of excellence and working systems
Provide accurate and clear information
Communicate regularly and effectively
Respond to phone messages on the same day
Respond to email enquiries within 24 hours
Acknowledge receipt of assignments within 36 hours
LEARNERS CAN ASSIST US BY
Keeping us up-to-date with contact information and relevant personal information
Furnishing our staff with comprehensive and constructive comments
Treating all staff members with high respect
Exercising professional courtesy and make appointments where necessary
Following existing policies and procedures and exercising personal responsibility
1 Adapted in 2014 as part of our formal policy.
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Lecturer in Hebrew, Greek and Biblical Studies: Rev. Megan Braithwaite
Megan Braithwaite, DipTh; Bth (BTC), B.A. (Hons) (UJ); B.Com,
graduated with a BCom from the University of Natal in 1991, then
went on to work for Youth for Christ in Pietermaritzburg before
relocating to Johannesburg. After a brief period in secular
business, she chose to be a contact mother to her children.
In 2009, she graduated with a BTh. Hons. Cum Laude from BTC
and in 2011 completed a B.A. Hons. Cum Laude in Semitic
Languages (Hebrew and Aramaic) at the University of
Johannesburg.
In 2014, she received full Ministerial Recognition from the Baptist Union. Megan and her
husband both serve as elders at Edenvale Baptist Church. Apart from Biblical languages, her
other passion is mentoring and ministering to other women.
Lecturer in Youth Studies and Systematic Theology: Rev. Barry Brokensha
Barry Brokensha, (DipTh; BTh; MTh) is a proud alumni of the
Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa and has served for
a number of years a part of our lecturing team in the areas of
Systematic Theology and Youth Studies. Barry brings with him a
wealth of knowledge from the local church and a passion for
eschatology. We’re pleased that Barry is our Acting HOD for
Youth Studies.
Lecturer in Biblical and Cultural Studies and Systematic Theology: Dr. Walter
Maqoma
Dr. Walter graduated with a BTh from BTC in 2007 and
completed a M.Phil. degree at St. Augustine’s Catholic University,
and subsequently pursued an MTh at BTC, and a PhD at the
University of Pretoria in New Testament Ethics. Walter is
married to Lerato, and was instrumental in starting the Metanoia
Bible Institute at his local Church at Koinonia bible Church. He
teaches in our departments of Missiology and Cultural Studies
and Systematics studies a BTC.
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The Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa (BTC) is registered with the Department of
Education as a Higher Education Institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997 with the
Registration Certificate No.:2000/HE08/004. BTC is a registered Section 21 Company
(Registration No.: 2003/019542/08) and is governed by a Board appointed in close affiliation with
the Baptist Union of Southern Africa.
Our Programs are accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) through its permanent sub-
committee, the Higher Education Quality Sub Framework (HEQSF) and the Education and Training
Quality assurer (ETQA) of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Fundamental, Core
and Elective Courses/Subject are required. The HEQC and SAQA require that College courses be
categorized by one of the following definitions:
• Fundamental courses are those that establish the grounding or basis to all studies in
Christian theology and ministry, which are equally fundamental to the satisfactory
completion of the College’s qualifications.
• Core courses are those that are contextually relevant to the obtaining of the College’s
qualifications, which are directly related to the College’s mission statement to equip persons
for Christian ministry.
• Elective courses are those that allow the learner options for study that relate to their
specific concerns and interests, yet fall within the particular requirements of the College’s
qualifications.
NOTE: THESE DESCRIPTORS ARE INDICATED ON EACH PROGRAM CURRICULUM.
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Accreditation Certificate
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BTC recommends the following period of study for various courses offered:
DEGREE / PROGRAM
CONTACT LEARNING DISTANCE LEARNING
(Undergraduate) Higher Certificate in Ministry
2+ years of study
Bachelor of Biblical Studies
3 years of study 6+ years of study
Bachelor of Theology
1 Post-Graduate year of study 8+ years of study
Master of Theology
2+ years of Post-Graduate study
Certification of Study Most courses offered at BTC can be taken as individual courses, allowing learners to pursue a
particular area of interest. For these studies a certification of studies will be issued on request.
Higher Certificate in Ministry: Pastoral Studies (CIM)
The Higher Certificate in Ministry degree is designed for Christians wishing to equip themselves
in a specific area of Christian ministry; namely in pastoral studies.
Entrance Qualification:
Matriculation or equivalent. Applicants with less than a matriculation will be considered on merit.
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE:
HIGHER CERTIFICATE IN MINISTRY
NQF LEVEL 5 (120 Credits)
KEY: COMPULSORY COURSES ARE MARKED WITH AN *
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
BIBLICAL STUDIES *HCMS BS 115 (12 Credits)
Biblical Literacy
*HCMS BS 125 (12 Credits)
Biblical Overview
SYSTEMATIC
THEOLOGY
*HCMS ST 125 (12 Credits)
Introduction to Christian Doctrine
PASTORAL STUDIES *HCMS PS 115 (12 Credits)
Introduction to Homiletics
*HCMS PS 125 (12 Credits)
Contemporary Ecclesiology
*HCMS PS 115-4 (12 Credits)
Personal Spiritual Development
*HCMS PS 125-2
(12 Credits)
Personal Spiritual Development
*HCMS PS 125-3 (12 Credits)
Introduction to Spiritual Direction
*HCMS PS 125-4 (12 Credits)
Church Ministry
MISSION STUDIES HCMS MS 115-2 (12 Credits)
Cross-Cultural Engagement
PRACTICAL MINISTRY
HCMS PM 115 (12 Credits)
Bible Read
YOUTH STUDIES HCMS YS 115-4 (12 Credits)
Youth and Family Ministry
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GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE MATRIX:
(Higher Certificate in Ministry: Pastoral Major)
The Graduate Attribute Matrix sets out the desired attributes and traits which learners are
expected to show evidence of, on the successful completion of their study program. The stipulated
attributes and their required proficiency levels are set to the level at which the student will graduate
at and exit the study program from. Therefore, care is taken to ensure that from the very start of
their studies, learners are being intentionally developed toward the attributes which we eventually
desire to see them portray. It should also be noted that the attributes we seek to build into our
graduates are holistic, impacting various significant realms of life; while theoretical knowledge and
understanding is of great significance, we also seek to develop student’s practical competencies as
well as their personal character which is an essential trait in both vocational and professional
ministries.
HIGHER CERTIFICATE
IN
MINISTRY
(CIT 120 Credit NQF 5)
Attribute Proficiency
Level (1−6)
1− Low
6− High
Knowledge
Specific and introductory knowledge of general
theological and Biblical concerns with ministry−
specific skills in mind.
1−2
Understanding
Introductory understanding of theological
terms, definitions and concepts that influence
general thinking and basic research ability.
1−2
Application General application of knowledge and skills
learned into community context. 1−2
Practical Exposure Specific exposure to ministry with a limited
perspective. 1−2
Research ability Clear ability to research independently over
some disciplines and platforms. 1−2
Vocational Skills
These should be more developed as Christian
service and ministry exposure is compulsory.
This will differ from context to context, and
from person to person.
1−2
Theological proficiency Introductory and overview− A general ability to
think through paradigms and micro−schemes. 1−2
Communication
Clear and concise in both a Christian and
secular environment, within recipient culture
and context where applicable.
1−2
Ethically
Uncompromising Evangelical Standards and
adherence to set rules and high standards of
academic excellence without blemish
1−2
Independent and critical thinking
General overview skills 1−2
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DEGREE / PROGRAM
CONTACT LEARNING DISTANCE LEARNING
Bachelor of Biblical Studies
3 years of study 6+ years of study
Bachelor of Theology
1 year of Post-Graduate study 8+ years of study
BACHELOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES (B.Bib) Previously known as the Diploma in Theology, the Bachelor of Biblical Studies is a Distance and Contact Study Program designed to train Christians in the areas of church ministry, cross-cultural missions and youth ministry. Entrance Qualification: Matriculation or equivalent. Graduation Requirements: Thirty subjects/ 360 credits total.
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CURRICULUM OUTLINE:
BACHELOR OF BIBLICAL STUDIES
NQF LEVEL 7 (360 Credits)
KEY: COMPULSORY COURSES ARE MARKED WITH AN *
COURSES YEAR ONE
SEMESTER 1
YEAR ONE
SEMESTER 2
YEAR TWO
SEMESTER 1
YEAR TWO
SEMESTER
2
YEAR
THREE
SEMESTER
1
YEAR
THREE
SEMESTER
2
BIBLICAL STUDIES
BBS 115
The Synoptic
Gospels and Acts
BBS125 The
Pentateuch
BBS215
The Pauline
Writings
BBS225
The Prophets
BBS315
The Johannine
and General
Writings
BBS325 The Writings
SYSTEMATIC
THEOLOGY
BST125 Overview of
Christian Doctrine
BST215 Revelation and God
BST225 Humanity, Sin and Christ
BST315 Salvation, the Holy
Spirit and the Church
BST325 Eschatology and Theology Models
ADVANCED
LANGUAGE
STUDIES
BBL 125
Introduction
to Biblical
Languages
and culture
BGK215 Biblical Greek 1
BGK225
Biblical Greek 2
BHB315
Advanced
Hebrew 1
BHB325
Hebrew 2
OR OR
ELEMENTARY LANGUAGE
STUDIES
BGK210
Textual Analysis of the New
Testament
BHB310
Textual Analysis of the Old Testament
MISSIOLOGY
BMS125
Introduction to
Missiology and
Church Planting
BMS125
Basic Tools for
Apologetics,
Christian
Evangelism and
Discipleship
BMS215
Apologetics
and
Techniques
for
Evangelism
BMS225
Cultural
Anthropolog
y and
Developing
your
Missional IQ
BMS315
World
Religions
and
Marginal
Peoples
BMS325
Methods,
Strategies
and Global
Issues in
Reaching
People
PASTORAL STUDIES
BPS115
Hermeneutics
BPS125 Homiletics
BPS215
Pastoral
Apologetics
and Biblical
Worldview
BPS225
Spiritual
Development
BPS315 Theology and
Practice of Worship
BPS325
Spiritual
Direction
YOUTH STUDIES
BYS115 Youth Ministry
BYS215 Youth in
Crisis
BYS225
Children’s
Ministry and
Childhood
Development
BYS315 Teenage Ministry and Development
Theory
BYS325
Young
Adult’s
and
Singles
Ministry
GENERAL
BSR110 (6 Credits)
Theological Research
Methodology and Writing Skills
BCH215
Early Church
History
BCH225 Later Church
History
BBP315 Baptist
Principals
BBP325
Baptist Ethos
BIBLICAL AND CHURCH
RESIDENCY
BPM110 Biblical and Church Residency 1
BPM210 Biblical and Church Residency 2
BPM310
Biblical and Church Residency 3
24
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE MATRIX:
(Bachelor of Biblical Studies)
The Graduate Attribute Matrix sets out the desired attributes and traits which learners are
expected to show evidence of, on the successful completion of their study program. The stipulated
attributes and their required proficiency levels are set to the level at which the student will graduate
at and exit the study program from. Therefore, care is taken to ensure that from the very start of
their studies, learners are being intentionally developed toward the attributes which we eventually
desire to see them portray. It should also be noted that the attributes we seek to build into our
graduates are holistic, impacting various significant realms of life; while theoretical knowledge and
understanding is of great significance, we also seek to develop student’s practical competencies as
well as their personal character which is an essential trait in both vocational and professional
ministries.
BACHELOR Attribute Proficiency Level (1−6)
OF 1− Low
Biblical Studies 6− High
(BBS 360 Credit NQF
7)
Knowledge
Advanced knowledge in their specific elect major and
general understanding of broader theological and
Biblical concerns.
3−4
Understanding
Intermediate understanding of theological terms,
definitions and concepts that influence thinking and
research.
3−4
Application Ability to apply research and cognitive processes
contextually at an adequate level of proficiency. 3−4
Practical Exposure
Broad exposure to varying ministry contexts and
multiple facets of ministry in both a general and specific
field.
3−4
Research ability Clear ability to research independently over some
disciplines and platforms. 3−4
Vocational Skills
These should be more developed as Christian service
and ministry exposure is compulsory. This will differ
from context to context, and from person to person.
3−4
Theological
proficiency
Intermediate− A general ability to think through
paradigms and macro−schemes. 3−4
Communication
Substantial, clear and concise in both a Christian and
secular environment, within recipient culture and
context where applicable.
3−4
Ethically
Uncompromising Evangelical Standards and adherence
to set rules and high standards of academic excellence
without blemish
3−4
Independent and
critical thinking
General Intermediate skills 3−4
25
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY (BTh) The Bachelor of Theology is the premier program of the College, designed to further train Christians in the areas of church ministry, cross-cultural missions and youth ministry. This has changed from being a four-year qualification, to a one-year Honours program. Learners may only register for this once they have successfully completed the Bachelor of Biblical Studies program. Entrance Qualification: Matriculation or equivalent and the Bachelor of Biblical Studies (NQF level 7) or equivalent. Graduation Requirements: Forty subjects / 480 credits total. CURRICULUM OUTLINE:
BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY
NQF LEVEL 8 (480 Credits)
KEY: COMPULSORY COURSES ARE MARKED WITH AN *
Semester 1 Semester 2
SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY BST415
Advanced Theological Foundations BST425
Christian Theological Ethics
BIBLICAL LANGUAGES BHB415
Advanced Hebrew 3
BGK425
Advanced Greek 3
MISSION STUDIES BMS415
Advanced Missional Thinking
BMS425
Contemporary Missiology
PASTORAL STUDIES BPS415
Pastoral Care and Counselling BPS425
Church Ministry and Management
YOUTH STUDIES BYS415
Equipping the Youth and Family Minister BYS425
Youth Ministry in Social Context
GENERAL AND PRATICAL COURSES
BSR415 Specialized Research
BSRCH 425
African Church History with Contemporary Application
BPM410 Biblical and Church Residency
26
GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE MATRIX:
(Bachelor of Biblical Studies)
The Graduate Attribute Matrix sets out the desired attributes and traits which learners are expected to show evidence of, on the successful completion of their study program. The stipulated attributes and their required proficiency levels are set to the level at which the student will graduate at and exit the study program from. Therefore, care is taken to ensure that from the very start of their studies, learners are being intentionally developed toward the attributes which we eventually desire to see them portray. It should also be noted that the attributes we seek to build into our graduates are holistic, impacting various significant realms of life; while theoretical knowledge and understanding is of great significance, we also seek to develop student’s practical competencies as well as their personal character which is an essential trait in both vocational and professional ministries.
BACHELOR
OF
THEOLOGY
(BTh 480 Credit NQF 8)
Attribute Proficiency Level (1−6)
1− Low 6− High
Knowledge
Specialized knowledge in their specific elect
major and advanced understanding of broader
theological and Biblical concerns.
5−6
Understanding
Comprehensive understanding of theological
terms, definitions and concepts that influence
thinking and research.
5−6
Application Ability to apply research and cognitive processes
contextually at a high level of proficiency. 5−6
Practical Exposure
Broad exposure to varying ministry contexts and
multiple facets of ministry in both a general and
specific field.
5−6
Research ability Clear ability to research independently over
multiple disciplines and platforms. 5−6
Specialty Advanced skills in elect major in preparation for
Master’s degree articulation. 5−6
Vocational Skills
These should be more developed as Christian
service and ministry exposure is compulsory.
This will differ from context to context, and from
person to person.
5−6
Theological proficiency Advanced− thinking through paradigms and
macro− schemes. 5−6
Synthesis
An acute ability to synthesize various
compartments of information into a cognitive
whole.
5−6
Communication
Substantial, clear and concise in both a Christian
and secular environment, within recipient
culture and context where applicable.
5−6
Ethically
Uncompromising Evangelical Standards and
adherence to set rules and high standards of
academic excellence without blemish
5−6
Independent and critical thinking Advanced skills 5−6
27
Admissions Policies
In keeping with its mission statement, it is the policy of the college to provide equal
opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, gender, heritage, historical or educational
background. All potential Learners will be eligible for selection provided they meet the
requirements below:
1. They are truthful on their application forms.
2. They are in possession of all the necessary documentation inter alia registration
documentation duly completed accompanied by all supporting certificates,
recommendations etc.
3. Should the contact learners be granted an interview, undertake to assist the interview
committee to arrive at a fair evaluation and display a willingness to abide by the
recommendations of the interview committee.
4. They are able to sustain themselves financially and must be willing to meet their fee obligations.
5. They have read and accepted the College’s Statement of Faith as outlined in this
prospectus and on the website.
6. They are willing to adhere to the College Rules & Regulations.
7. They respect fellow Learners, especially those from other parts of the African continent
and parts of the world.
8. They demonstrate the commitment to meet the demands of study.
Outcome Based Education
The College applies the principles of Outcomes Based Education (OBE). OBE is designed to
teach Learners specific knowledge and principles that can be demonstrated in measurable
outcomes. This method greatly assists Learners to fulfill the objectives of the programs for
which they have been enrolled and to achieve the standard requirement.
28
Practical Competency
The College has made enormous strides in the last decade in practical competency. Learners
can only graduate once they have significant practical ministry experience. They are also
required to be involved in a local church while studying at BTC. Learner’s assignments
require different aspects of practical experience.
Input from church and ministry leaders regarding Learner performance in specific
ministry assists in measuring the ‘OBE’ objectives.
We believe that God has equipped us to develop and train men and women who have a desire
to be better equipped for ministry. Our particular focus areas are training people for long-
term, effective ministry as pastors of local churches, youth pastors/workers and cross-
cultural missionaries.
Application Documents and Further Assistance
Potential Learners wishing to study at BTC are directed to our website (www.btc.co.za) to
obtain relevant information, downloadable forms and other items of assistance.
If the potential Learner does not have access to electronic media, all the information can be
posted or collected from the college office in Randburg, Johannesburg.
Should a potential Learner require any additional assistance or advice they are welcome to
request an interview with the registrar who will assist where possible.
Potential Learners that apply to study at BTC must note that only once all the necessary forms
have been received and where applicable, the accompanying fees paid in full, will their
applications be processed.
Potential Entrance
All prospective Learners who do not possess a National Senior Certificate (Matric Certificate)
and are between the ages of twenty-three (23) and forty-five (45) years of age will need to
apply for the bridging courses that comprise of four (4) set subjects prior to enrollment.
These subjects are not for credit towards the curriculum. These four (4) subjects are as
follows:
• Christian Discipleship (adapted from BMS 215)
• Life Skills (adapted from BMS 225)
• Lifestyle of Worship (adapted from BPS 315) and
• Spiritual Growth (adapted from BPS 215)
29
These courses are offered at 50% of the listed fee for the particular subject of the given year.
Learners must enroll and complete all of the above-mentioned courses within a minimum
time frame of six (6) months. Upon completion Learners will still need to enroll for these
listed courses (namely, BMS215, BMS225, BPS215, BPS315) in the full curriculum, as they
will be dealt with differently.
Applications Policies
Applications for South African Contact Learners close at the end of November each year and
are subject to a registration fee. Late applications may be considered but will incur an
additional late registration fee. The application fees are non-refundable.
Applications for foreign Learners wanting to study on campus must be submitted by the end
of October each year so that interviews may be conducted in November. Foreign fulltime
applicants are required to pay 50% of the total annual tuition fee before registration will be
permitted.
No Learner will be permitted to commence contact studies in July for the second semester,
unless they have already completed at least four (4) of the required courses from the first
semester of studies.
Distance Learners will be required to register for the f irst semester by no later than the
middle of January and for the second semester by no later than the end of June. Thereafter
no applications will be accepted for that year.
Please also take note that all applicants must have adequate computer skills for studies.
30
Application Requirements
The following documentation (available from www.btc.co.za or the BTC office) must be
submitted for both contact and distance study applications. These forms and documents
are:
1. A completed application form
2. A certified copy of your Identity Document or Passport
3. A certified copy of your National Senior Certificate (Matric Certificate) OR a certified copy of Matric exemption acquired from the Matriculation Board*
a. Foreign Learners are
required to obtain a matriculation exemption equivalency from the South African
Matriculation Board before applying to study.
b. Potential Learners that do not possess a completed National Senior Certificate
(Matric Certificate) but did pass at least four (4) subjects with the minimum of an
‘E’ symbol and are between the ages of twenty-three (23) and forty-five (45) years
of age are eligible.
✴ As outlined in the Government Gazette, Vo. 482, No 27961, 18 August 2005
Minimum Admission Requirements for Higher Certificate, Diploma and
Bachelor’s Degree Programmes Requires a National Senior Certificate
✴ The Matriculation Board can be contacted at
www.sauvca.org.za/mb or via telephone: 012 481
2914/2847/2828
4. A valid South African study visa is required by Foreign Learners. Contact (Contact) applicants will be required to attend an interview conducted
by the Interview Committee appointed by the Registrar.
31
Master of Theology (MTh) Admission Policy The minimum requirement for entry into this MTh Programme is an NQF Level 8 Bachelor of
Theology or equivalent meeting the core elements of our degree program in a relevant field of
study from a University or Higher Education and Training (HET) institution that is registered
with the Department of Higher Education.
Applicants will be considered for admission on the basis of the recognition of prior learning
(RPL) provided that such applicant has satisfied the College of their suitability for the degree
by means that shall be determined on an individual basis by the post- graduate committee (see
RPL policy below).
The fields of study available include
• Old Testament Theology
• New Testament Theology
• Biblical Languages
• Missiology
• Hermeneutics
• Practical Theology
• Aligned sub-disciplines
• Apologetics
• Christian Ethics
• Systematic Theology
A Supervisor will be assigned to the Learner throughout the duration of the Programme and
by a means of consultation with the Learner will determine the degree components that will
include prescribed reading, an oral examination/interview, a publishable article, and a
dissertation. The Postgraduate Committee will also be consulted on the set research
Programme that the Learner will be required to complete.
Where necessary, the potential applicants may need to travel to use specialist research
libraries, archives or central libraries as part of their research work.
This Postgraduate course will provide the Learner with advanced and detailed study in the
subject of their degree or they can develop specific skills for their chosen career in the
workplace.
Learners can change direction and develop new skills by studying a course that takes them in
a different direction from their previous studies. Whichever way the Learner wishes to take
their postgraduate study in the future, we are looking for motivated people called to the
Christian ministry who are willing to make a positive, Godly contribution to their
surroundings. There is an immense satisfaction of pursuing a subject that is genuinely
intriguing and making a personal contribution to it. The Learner also develops a wide range of
transferable skills including project planning, presentations, analytical thinking etc.
32
Applying for Post Graduate studies
Learners are strongly advised to email the College ([email protected]) and submit a
formal application for postgraduate studies, clearly stating the Study Programme you aspire
to study so that the College is able to ensure that the facilities and expert supervisors
necessary for the courses are available.
Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible in the academic year prior to
that in which they wish to study. In addition to the application process required under the
section “application procedure”,
a) documentary evidence of your qualifications (original or certified copies); b) other
supporting information, such as signed references (referees should normally be lecturers in
higher education with direct knowledge of the candidate’s academic progress); and c) a brief
outline of the dissertation proposal should be submitted. Although you may make your
application at any time, you should be aware that the last day for postgraduate applications
is the 31st of October of each year for commencement in January of the following year.
Once the application has been assessed, the applicant will be informed as to whether or not
the applicant qualifies for admission to the Study Programme.
It should be noted that in the case where an applicant is refused admission to the Study
Programme without assigning a reason, the applicant can appeal directly to the College Board
of Directors. The final decision on whether the applicant is accepted or refused admission
into the Study Programme then lies with the College Board.
Applications are assessed on their own merits and where applicable, an example of the
candidate’s written work may be required.
Successful applicants will then be contacted by the Dean of Studies, who must be a fulltime
member of the academic faculty, to set up an appointment for an interview in which the
dissertation proposal will be discussed. The applicant’s motivation and suitability for the
Study Programme will also be assessed in the interview.
All applications and supporting documentation will be treated as strictly confidential. There
is a non-refundable registration fee for all postgraduate Programmes that is payable every
year until completion of the Study Programme. Please check the fee structure for more
information.
Offers of admission will clearly state the duration of the Study Programme for which the
applicant has been accepted, the necessary fees and any likely increase in the fees and all
conditions attached to the offer will be specified.
33
Non-Credit Study
Potential Learners that are between the ages of twenty-three (23) and forty-five (45) years of
age may enroll to do subjects on a “non-credit” basis. This could apply to those prospective
learners applying to the Baptist Union for Ministry Accreditation purposes (Baptist Principles
and Baptist Ethos). They may continue to do subjects on a “non-credit” basis with a “letter of
courses completed” once the desired number of courses has been completed.
Life Experience Acceptance
Potential Learners who are older than forty-five (45) years and do not possess a National
Senior Certificate (Matric Certificate) can apply for registration on the basis of life
experience. This means the Learner gains automatic registration consent but will still need to
complete the required forms and submit the necessary documentation.
34
Qualifications obtained beyond our borders
Learners who wish to receive recognition of qualifications gained outside of South Africa must
make an application to the South African Qualifications Authority’s (SAQA) Center for the
Evaluation of Educational Qualifications (CEEQ). Application forms are available on
the SAQA website (www.saqa.org.za). Alternatively, SAQA may be contacted at:
Physical Address: Postal Address
SAQA House Postnet Suite 248 1067 Arcadia Street Private Bag X06 Hatfield, Pretoria Waterkloof, 0145 Tel: 012 431 5000 Helpdesk: 0860 103 188 Email: [email protected] Fax: 012 431 5147
BTC welcomes foreign learners
wanting to study fulltime and part
time at BTC. We have many
nationalities represented in our
distance learning and fulltime student
body.
Learners from foreign countries wanting to
study fulltime at BTC are required to obtain
a study permit in terms of the ‘Aliens Control
Act No 96 of 1991 (section 26) which states
that ‘if a person is resident outside South
Africa and is not a South African citizen or
does not have permanent residence status,
they are required to obtain a study permit
to enter South Africa for the purpose of
studying’.
Potential full time Learners can apply for a study permit at the South African High
Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in their own country (country of origin).
If there is no South African representative in their country, they must apply to the South
African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission nearest to their home
country. Potential Learners will need an official letter from the College offering them a place
to study fulltime at the College before they can submit an application for a study permit.
35
The study permit involves the presentation of the following documents to the South
African representative in the potential Learner’s country of origin or nearest to their
home country:
1. Study permit application forms (BI 159: A&F).
2. Original letter of acceptance to study contact at BTC, including a completion of
study date as well as an undertaking to notify the Department of Home Affairs
when the degree has been completed.
3. Repatriation guarantee - this is a formal statement that the student is able to
cover the repatriation expenses to their country of origin. The repatriation
guarantee is equivalent to a return air ticket and must have the official embassy
receipt or it is not accepted as a valid document.
4. Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses.
5. Medical report and particulars regarding medical cover.
There is a cost involved in applying for a study permit and the
relevant South African Embassy, High Commission, Consulate
or Trade Mission in the country of origin will advise potential
Learners of this cost.
Potential Learners should take note of the following:
• A person may not enter South Africa on a visitor’s visa
and then apply for a study permit. In addition, a person
may not change the purpose of entry whilst in South Africa.
• If a foreign person is in possession of a South African work permit, they are still
required to apply for a study permit.
• Asylum Seeker Temporary Permit holders must have the condition to study clearly
stated on their permits.
For further information regarding study permits in South Africa, the Department of Home
Affairs can be contacted:
Department of Home Affairs2 Johannesburg Regional Office
77 Harrison Street Johannesburg CBD
Tel: +27 (0)11 639 4000
2 BTC takes no responsibility for change of contact details of The Department of Home Affairs
36
1. RPL/E is to reflect the following core principles3:
1.1 Maintenance of stipulated academic standards
As the College is a Private Higher Education Institution (hereafter PHEI), it remains
incumbent on the RPL/E process to maintain the stipulated academic standards, as set
both from within and without the institution. However, such maintenance shall not be
understood to result in the artificial maintenance of standards based on false premises.
RPL may be used to grant access to a qualification programme, or advanced
standing/exemption from modules or courses constitutive of a particular qualification.
In higher education, exemption from courses does not translate to credits being
awarded for those courses. No credits should therefore be awarded for the courses that
a student is exempted from doing on the basis of RPL.
1.2 Deliberate concern for the potential learner
The RPL/E process shall be committed to a fundamental emphasis on the potential
learner, inasmuch as no applicant shall be disadvantaged, for the benefit of the College,
in any manner whatsoever. It shall be recognised that an applicant may be
disadvantaged in either of the awarding of too little recognition or excessive
recognition.
A student who, on the basis of RPL, is granted exemption from doing certain courses
in a qualification programme will complete the qualification with a total number of
credits that is less than the normally required number of credits for the qualification
in question. RPL creates such an exception, and the student concerned should not be
compelled to do more modules or courses to make up for the difference in the total
number of credits.
3 This Policy is subject to the Council on Higher Education. Policy implemented in 2016 available at http://www.che.ac.za/sites/default/files/RPLCAT%20Assessment%20Policy%20Document.pdf
37
1.3 Equality amongst all potential learners
All applicants and potential learners shall be treated equally and there shall be no
discrimination on the basis of race, gender, heritage and/or historical background.
The College shall be particularly aware of the needs of historically disadvantaged learners,
while not sacrificing the maintenance of stipulated academic standards.
Full qualifications on the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) cannot
be awarded solely on the basis of RPL. Similarly, exemption based on RPL should be limited
to not more than 50% of the modules or courses of the qualification programme in question.
This means that no student should be exempted from more than 50% of the modules or
courses required for any particular higher education qualification. Not more than 10% of a
cohort of learners in a higher education programme should be admitted through an RPL
process.
1.4 A cost-effective and well-managed process
It shall neither be the intention nor purpose of the RPL/E process to be a means of
significant revenue for the College; as such, the process shall always be well-managed
and structured to achieve its set goals as simply as possible. Standards of qualifications
must be maintained by ensuring that assessment is appropriate to the particular
modules and exit level outcomes of the programme in question.
Assessment criteria are openly and clearly communicated to learners in the interest of
validity, transparency and accountability. Assessment judgments are justifiable; and
the roles and responsibilities of the student, lecturer, examiner, moderator and
institutional quality assurance/governance departments are clearly stated and
communicated.
2. Guidelines for RPL/E
RPL/E shall be affected in the context of the following important guidelines:
- No exceptions shall be made to the stipulated process, as published in the College
Prospectus from time-to-time.
- Recognition will only be granted to related and relevant prior learning and experience.
- A definite correlation, between prior learning/experience and granted credits, shall be
required.
- Recognition of prior formal learning shall not require an achievement, generally reflected
in a mark, which is higher than that of the College.
38
- In the recognition of prior informal learning and experience, most credits shall be granted
within the first two levels of learning.
- In the event of any false declaration by an applicant, the entire RPL/E process, completed
at the time of the false declaration, shall be deemed null and void.
- All recognition granted shall be evaluated for consistency and fairness, confirming that
such recognition would have equally been granted to any other applicant.
BTC ensures that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process
(including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are
implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL
assessment, are in place.
3. Procedure for RPL/E
The following procedure shall be followed in the RPL/E:
3.1 Application
Applicants shall submit the prerequisite form; including the stipulated
application fee, all the requested information, and certified copies of all relevant
documents. Such applications shall include the following minimum information:
(a) Complete personal and contact details.
(b) Full details and proof of previous formal and/or informal learning.
(c) Full details of previous and present experience.
Standards of qualifications are maintained by ensuring that assessment is appropriate
to the particular modules and exit level outcomes of the programme in question.
Assessment criteria are openly and clearly communicated to learners in the interest of
validity, transparency and accountability.
Assessment judgments are justifiable; and the roles and responsibilities of the student,
lecturer, examiner, moderator and institutional quality assurance/governance
departments are clearly stated and communicated.
4. Submissions for RPL/E
4.1 Initial submissions
Due to the nature of the institution, initial applications for the RPL/E shall be
submitted in the form of stipulated documentation and/or personal recommendations.
4.2 Additional submissions
Should further evidence be required, the RPL/E shall advise an applicant of the
requirement/s.
39
5. Assessment of RPL/E
At the set dates, as published from time-to-time, the RPL/E Committee shall convene to assess
all applications.
At such time, the Committee may make a final decision, or determine any such further action
as may be required to make a fair decision.
In such cases, the RPL/E Committee shall convene as required to affect a final decision. All
such decisions shall be recorded in a properly recorded minute of RPL/E Committee meetings.
6. Action on Assessment
Assessment is central to learning and teaching because it is the key mechanism for evaluating
the performance of learners. As such, it is the basis for awarding credits, and ultimately of
qualifications. The policy on assessment is developed on the basis of the understanding that
assessment is the critical process that is employed to identify, gather and interpret information
and evidence that would enable reasonably objective judgments to be made regarding the
extent to which a student has achieved the learning outcomes of a course or module that leads
to a qualification.
7. Principles of Assessment
The following principles should underpin sound assessment practices in an institution.
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process and is systematically and
purposefully used to identify, gather and interpret information against the required
competencies in a qualification in order to make judgement about a student’s achievement. It
is a continuous and iterative process that is not used to measure learning only but is also as a
means to develop lifelong learning and to promote innovative and creative thinking in order
to consolidate existing learning and build further learning. Furthermore, assessment is a tool
for lecturers to reflect on the success of their teaching approaches.
Assessment procedures and policies should reflect academic integrity and quality through a
consistent, reliable, appropriate and systematic approach that establishes that the assessment
criteria have been met and that performance to the required standard has been measured. The
criteria for effective assessment include:
- Validity and reliability: Assessment must be valid and fit for purpose. The
assessment measures what it intends to measure and the actions that are based on
the results of the assessment are appropriate and accurate.
40
- Fairness: Assessment policies, systems and procedures promote equity and
fairness to all learners and provide assistance to overcome inabilities or disabilities
that may have an effect on student performance.
Assessment should be perceived to be fair and equitable, giving learners a
reasonable opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge acquired.
- Credibility: Assessment procedures and practices are supported by effective,
reliable and accurate administration procedures. Where assessment involves
examinations, the security of the examination papers and marks is essential as is
the moderation of paper marking.
- Transparency and accountability: Information on assessment and
assessment activities are known and publically available to all stakeholders. There
is a clear understanding of the purposes of the assessment process, its
consequences and inferences made where all role players can provide evidence of
the development and moderation of assessment activities with which they are
involved.
- Social justice and equality: There is an absence of bias in assessment practices
such that they do not in any way hinder or advantage specific learners.
- Sensitivity to language: Care is taken to use appropriate language in assessment
so that the use of language does not become a barrier in learning and assessment
processes.
8. WORK INTEGRATED LEARNING AND EXPERIENCE (WIL) POLICY4
It is the policy of the College that experiential learning is an integral part of all College courses
and that the College shall make room for exemption from experiential learning base upon
evidenced-based assessment of the experiential learning in the workplace outside of the
registered courses listed below. Such learning will be directly determined by and linked to the
stated outcomes of the given qualification and required courses and deemed to be Work
Integrated Learning and Experience.
4 This was previously referred to as BTC’s Experiential Learning Policy and has been adapted in July 2015 to accommodate the latest terminology and best practice.
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Exemptions may be granted where learners demonstrate valid experience in meeting the
outcomes outlined where corroborating evidence thereof is supplied. The College has defined
experiential learning as that learning which takes place as a direct and/or indirect
consequence of a deliberate requirement that is associated with such settings as may be
described as ‘occupational, practical exposure, etcetera’. Many of our courses encourage this
experiential side that would build practical competence. Understanding that the nature of
Christian ministry is such that learners will often not be able to ‘do the real thing’, it is to be
appreciated that requirements, which include element such as role play and classroom
practical’s, are regarded as experiential learning.
BTC views its WIL policy as an integrative approach to experiential learning in the classroom
monitored environment as well as in ministry under the guidance of a designated professional.
Notwithstanding the above, wherever possible the College endeavours, to provide learners
with experiential learning opportunities that relate as closely as possible to the ‘real thing’.
9. Policy on Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT)
9.1 Principles of CAT
The following principles seek to create a foundation for the application of CAT within
higher education.
9.1.1 A qualification signifies the formal recognition and certification of
learning achievement. The HEQSF sets out the range of qualification types in higher
education and any qualification offered by a higher education institution must conform
to one of the qualifications types or its variants as described in the HEQSF. The HEQSF
is about whole qualifications for higher education, understood to comprise of at least
120 credits. The HEQSF does not specify parameters for part qualifications.
9.1.2 Credits are used as a measure of the volume of learning required for a
qualification and can be specified in terms of the total minimum numbers of credits
required, and in terms of the minimum number of credits required at the specified exit
level of the qualification type or its variant as described in the HEQSF. The credit-
rating system estimates that 10 notional study hours are equivalent to one credit.
Credits represent a measure of all the learning activities engaged in by the student and
include, among others, contact time, self-study, WIL, assignments, projects and
examinations.
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9.1.3 Credit accumulation is the totalling of credits towards the completion of a
qualification. Credit transfer is the vertical, horizontal or diagonal relocation of credits
towards a qualification.
9.1.4 The process of CAT brings together the diverse features of credit accumulation
and credit transfer in order to facilitate lifelong learning. It allows a student’s
achievements to be recognised even if the student does not achieve a qualification.
Any or all credits for an incomplete qualification may be recognized by the same or a
different institution as meeting part of the requirements for a different qualification,
or may be recognised by a different institution as meeting part of the requirements for
the same qualification. The process of CAT ensures the mobility of an individual
student between programmes and institutions within the constraining parameters set
by the requirements of the specific curricula.
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At BTC we understand that irrespective of whether learners are learning via distance or contact at
the College, studying can be challenging at times, especially if you are from a foreign country and/
or from a challenged or disadvantaged community.
Therefore, in order to increase learning potential and to ensure that each learner understands what
is expected of them during their studies, the following support mechanisms have been put in place:
1. Accommodation
Should any contact learner be from out of town
and require accommodation, we are able to offer
accommodation in our fully-owned and
maintained blocks of units situated in Windsor
East in Randburg, Johannesburg.
The units are located approximately 5km’s from
the College campus and offer both one- and two-
bedroom units. The units are available either
furnished or unfurnished (2 units, 3 share),
depending on the contact Learner’s specific
needs. These units are available to contact
Learners at a highly subsidized rate. Applications
must be made to the Administrative Department
and will be considered on an availability basis.
2. Mentoring Learners
Reliable research has suggested that in order for Distance Learners to be successful in their learning, they do
require support in the form of a suitably qualified friend, leader or Pastor.
This person needs to be regularly available to the Learner to motivate and encourage them to persevere with
their studies and also to assist the Learner where possible to accomplish this goal.
It would also be suggested that this person commit to supporting the Learner on a spiritual basis whereby
praying for and with them as they not only grow in the knowledge of God, but also aspire to what it is that God
has planned for them to accomplish with that knowledge.
With the above in mind, we do endeavor to contact Distance Learners on a regular basis but it is having that
local person that will adequately fulfill the role of support that is needed.
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3. Bursaries
Bursary support is made available to primarily assist Contact Learners, but Distance Learners may apply and
attach a letter of motivation and one of Pastoral support. Application for the bursary support is to be made
online for consideration once the Learner is at the College. These bursaries are specialized and are provided in
April and September of each year. Bursaries have a specific set of criteria that are considered upon application,
however, there are many volunteer opportunities on campus that can assist the learner in their fees.
4. Library Resources
The library at the BTC Southern Africa campus is
a valuable resource center that assists learners by
providing them with the necessary resources to
fulfill their study requirements. Our library
comprises of various types of material including
over 12 000 books, 40 printed journal titles, and
a growing number of DVD resources. Our library
also includes a large reference section.
Since 2015, learners are afforded the opportunity
to have access to a state of the art online journal
database, which is available to both contact and
distance Learners, as well as a growing number
of online volumes available on the SharePoint
Portal.
Our library is user-friendly in that all journals,
books and other resources are indexed on an
easily accessible electronic library catalogue. It
has ample space for Learners to study in comfort
and is open throughout the year. The College
librarian is available to assist learners in finding
the resources needed for assignments. The
library provides wireless internet access, as well
as a number of computers which may be used by
learners.
Distance Learners are offered the opportunity to
make use of all our library resources for an
annual fee. Contact learners have access to the
library at no additional cost.
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Student’s Prescribed Textbooks
Learners will require a number of standard books which will aid them in fulfilling
the various course requirements as they pursue their theological studies. These
books will not only help in completing assignments, but will also serve as a strong
foundation to a future personal theological library.
These necessary books may be acquired in a number of ways:
BTC Resource Centre
A number of the necessary titles needed for BTC courses may be purchased directly
from the college. These can be obtained by contacting the Book Store via email at
[email protected] by providing the course you are taking, as well as the titles that
you need. Books may also be ordered through our website via the online store portal.
We strive to provide as much assistance in this regard as possible, and sell required
books at a reasonable price.
Other Books Suppliers
If you are unable to obtain books from our Book Store, you may also purchase your
required books from a number of other reputable stores:
o Christian Book Discounters - 011 784 6214
o Augustine Book Room (Pretoria) - 012 993 4606
o Good Neighbours - 011 704 1857
o Loot Online Store - www.loot.co.za
o Amazon Kindle E-Books - www.amazon.com
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Schoology Our new learner management system is Schoology, and it allows Lecturers and Learners to
share content and resources. It is a cloud-based system that helps the administration of online
classroom environment. It is used globally and has a good reputation in The Higher Education
field.
We use this platform to provide learners a stable method of accessing their course material
and to submit their assignments with ease. It also works as an online platform for distance
learners to engage with lecturers and other learners at the College via discussions and an
online dialogue system.
Visit https://www.schoology.com/about for more information.
Features:
Visually similar to Facebook
Reminders of assignment due dates
Allows users to see all learners who are registered for a particular course
Provides a platform for interactive discussions between learners
Learners can download their course material directly from Schoology
Provides greater participation of distance learners with the courses they are
registered for
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RULES FOR ASSESSMENT, CREDIT ACCUMULATION, PROGRESSION AND QUALIFICATION
1. ASSESSMENTS Undergraduate Programmes Assignments generally count 50% of the final mark, and the examination marks counts for the
other 50% to make up a 100% (variances may occur). If a course does not have an examination,
the then assignments will count for the full 100% final mark.
Learners are required to score at least 50% on assignments in order to demonstrate
competence, and 50% on examination to pass. Should a Learner get less than 50% for the
course, they will fail the course and will need to redo the specific course.
2. CREDIT ACCUMULATION AND QUALIFICATION Each course is normally worth twelve 12 credits that will accrue towards your qualification,
with the exception of BSR110 which is worth 6 credits. When you complete your studies,
whether or not you have earned a qualification, you will be issued with a transcript detailing
all your courses and the credits you have earned.
Learners will need to accumulate ten (10) course credits (one hundred and twenty credits in
total) to be awarded a qualification at Higher Certificate level (previous Certificate in Theology
or Certificate in Ministry Studies), thirty (30) course credits for a Bachelor of Biblical Studies
(previous Diploma in Theology) and forty (40) course credits for a Bachelor of Theology.
An additional one hundred and eighty (180) credits will be needed to obtain the Master’s
degree (i.e. six hundred and sixty (660) credits in total).
Once you have met all the requirements for your chosen qualification, you will be awarded the
qualification you registered for at entry.
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Work Load Contact learners do 4-6 courses per semester, and should plan to give three to four hours per
day for study and preparation outside the classroom.
Distance learners should plan to give three to five hours per week per course. An average
correspondence student completes 2-3 courses per semester.
Church Involvement Due to the nature of the studies offered, there will be an expectation from the College that the
student be actively involved in the life and ministry of a local congregation. Certain practical
requirements will assume this. Our Biblical and Church Residency program requires certain
practical exposure which has to be recorded in a log book and assessed.
Materials, Format and Assignment Submission Learners are provided with course outlines and study notes for each enrolled subject. A list of
prescribed textbooks for each subject will accompany these notes.
Course fees do not include the cost of textbooks. It is the Learner’s responsibility to obtain and
purchase textbooks. These textbooks are available from the Book Store, and should you be
interested in purchasing a textbook, it would be suggested that you advise the office timeously
so as to ensure that there are enough textbooks available.
The textbooks are available at a reasonable price to the learners. As we are a non-profit
organization, we are only entitled to include a minimum mark-up on the cost price of the
textbooks in order to cover administration fees (i.e. bank charges, postage and unforeseen
price increases). No textbooks can be handed to or sent to Learners without proof of payment.
The format of all assignments is covered in details in the Assignment Writing Guide that can
be downloaded from the website (www.btc.co.za), downloaded on Schoology, or acquired from
the BTC office. The guide should be used extensively when writing assignments as incorrect
formatting and referencing are penalized.
All assignments are to be submitted electronically via Schoology. The Assignments Writing
Guide should also be referred to when labelling and saving assignment documents as
assignments receive there are incorrectly labeled or saved will be returned to the sender and
marked as ‘not received’. The necessary penalties will apply for late assignments.
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The dates for submission of assignments are provided in the Course Directives for each
subject. These dates are not negotiable. Serious illness or a death in the family are the only
reasonable considerations for the extension of assignment submission dates (in these extreme
cases permission for late submission of an assignment can only be obtained from the
principal).
Assignments may be submitted up to the Friday of the same week of the assignment due date
at an automatic penalty of 5% per day. Thereafter, assignments will not be accepted and the
student will have failed the course. The completion of all assignments for any given course is
required in order to meet the minimum requirements to enter into the exam.
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Examinations are held at the end of each semester, namely in June and November. They
commence on the stipulated days at 9:00am. If a student has a clash of two subjects on the
same day, the second exam will be written on the same day, in the afternoon examination
session. If it is impossible to write on the set date for valid reasons, the only alternative will be
for the student to write according to the Aegrotat timetable. Aegrotat exams are conducted in
July/ August for first semester subjects and in January/ February for second semester subjects
(Admin will communicate the specific dates for exams to be written). Learners who attain an
average of 60% and above for their assignments may apply to re-write their failed exam at a
nominal fee.
Contact learners write examinations at the College in designated examination venues, while
distance learners are required to arrange an invigilator to oversee their examinations. Distance
learners may elect to write their examinations at the College if proximity permits.
Distance Examinations
An invigilator needs to be either a pastor or senior leader of a Church, or a school teacher.
Under no circumstances is any learner allowed to be invigilated by a friend or family member.
The rules and regulations pertaining to distance learning examinations are set out in detail
and will be sent to both student and invigilator at the appropriate time.
Moderation
BTC has formal agreements with a variety of accredited Public and Private Higher Education
Institutions regarding the moderation of examinations. This ensures that the standard of
examinations is maintained at a high level as well as safeguarding the fairness of the
examination questions. External moderation requires that the examinations written by BTC
Learner are checked carefully for quality and integrity by the faculty of other similar
institutions.
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CONTACT LEARNERS ALL OUR FEES ARE LISTED IN THE FEE SCHEDULE AND PUBLISHED ANNUALLY AND
ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGES.
Contact administration fees cost R400 per application. Late applications, which occur after
the stipulated date on the calendar cost R700. Application fees are non-refundable.
On registration, learners will be required to pay 25% of their annual fees. 37.5% is to be paid
by no later than 30 April (bringing the total fees due in April to 50%), the outstanding balance
by 30 September. Learners who are members of a Baptist church (evidenced by a membership
certificate) will be permitted a discount.
Note to foreign learners: All applications must reach BTC by 31st October. Late applications
will not be considered due to time constraints for study permit applications. Upon acceptance,
the student is expected to pay 50% of the annual tuition fee BEFORE registration will be
permitted.
Entry to a following semester will be refused if the student has any outstanding debt to the
College at either the end of June or December.
Please note: As a contact student, you also need to make provision for the following expenses:
Student Dinner, Graduation – hire or buy the Gown and Hood for graduations, SRC Fees and
technology fees. A comprehensive list of all costs is available from the Finance Department
and updated regularly on the College website.
DISTANCE LEARNING LEARNERS
There is a non-refundable application fee of R400 payable on application. Payment will be
made on a semester basis. On registration, learners will pay 50% of the course fees. The
balance of the fees are to be paid by no later than 30th April for the first semester and 30th
September for the second semester.
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Learners who are members of a Baptist church (evidenced by a membership certificate) will
be permitted a discount.
Entry to a subsequent semester will be refused if the student has any outstanding debt to the
College at either the end of June or December.
Please note:
Fees are updated annually and published in November of each year. Payment made in the
previous year for the following year of study may need adjustment if there is an increase in
fees.
Outstanding Fees
Any student who owes the College money for either fees or rent will not be able to write exams
or results will not be released and/or registration for the next semester will be disallowed, until
all debts are settled in full. Listing on the Credit Bureau may apply to bad debtors.
Methods of Payment
Payments may be made to the College in the form of cash, cheque, electronic transfer,
SnapScan or credit card. For further information, contact the Finance Department
Payments issuing from foreign countries may take the form of a bank draft or preferably, a
telegraphic transfer (TT). Always remember to include the cost of the bank service fees for
both drafts and TT’s (usually around R150.00 / US$25).
Banking Details
Account name: The Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa
Bank: The Standard Bank
Branch: Randburg
Branch code: 01 8005
Account number: 2200 973 80
International SWIFT code: SBZAZAJJ
Learners are required to notify the College of incoming payments, particularly if they are
transferred electronically. When depositing into the College account, it is important to use
your surname and student number (no space) as the payment reference so that the College is
aware of your particular payment.
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Notes
All fees are significantly subsidized.
Contact learners may apply for further bursary assistance.
Fees do not include the purchase of textbooks.
Accommodation Rates (2018)
Note: All accommodation rates exclude electricity and water costs, which are an additional
expense to the student based on usage.
2018 Rates
LEO CAPRI
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units with two people sharing R1 350 per person
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units for single/ family R 2 700 per unit
1 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units for single/ family R 2 200 per unit
LIBRA
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units with two people sharing R1 350 per person
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units for single/ family R2 700 per unit
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Units (furnished) with three people sharing
R1500 per person
REPLACEMENT COSTS
Remotes R250.00
Standard Keys R30.00
Security Gate Keys R70.00
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2018 STUDY FEES* *Fees are updated in October/November each year
DESCRIPTION 2018 COMMENT
Contact Student Fees
Application fee R400 Per application: Non-refundable
Late application fee R700 Once-off: Non-refundable
Student Representative Council (SRC) fees R300 Annually
Technology fee R250 Annually
Diploma in Theology Non-partner Churches R2750 Per course
Partner Churches R2550 Per course
Bachelor of Theology Non-partner Churches R2900 Per course
Partner Churches R2700 Per course
Distance Student Fees
Application fee R400 Per application: Non-refundable
Late application fee R700 Once-off: Non-refundable
Library usage on Campus R750 Annually
Technology R250 Annually
Higher Certificate in Ministry Non-partner Churches R2100 Per course
Partner Churches R1850 Per course
Diploma in Theology (Prior 2017) Non-partner Churches R2200 Per course
Partner Churches R1850 Per course
Bachelor in Biblical Studies Non-partner Churches R2250 Per course
Partner Churches R1850 Per course
Bachelor of Theology Non-partner Churches R2300 Per course
Partner Churches R1850 Per course
Master of Theology Registration R3000 Once-off
Non-partner Churches R15000 Annually
Partner Churches R13000 Annually
General Fees (for Contact and Distance learners)
Special letter R80 Per letter (including postage)
Penalty for incorrect referencing on payments R100 Per entry
Admin fee for payment plan R100 Per month plan
Change of subject registration (48hrs after reg) R100 Per course
Reprinting of lost certificates R250 Per copy
Reprinting of lost / additional transcripts R200 Per print
Remarking of exams R100 Per exam
Recognition of prior learning R500 Per print
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2018/2019 CALENDAR SUMMARY
The complete calendar can be found on our website: www.btc.co.za
JANUARY
Day Date
Monday 1 New Year’s Day (Public Holiday)
Monday 8 College Office opens
Monday 15 Final date for 1st Term distance student registration
15 Final date for contact student applications (SA applicants)
Mon - Fri 22-26 Orientation for all new contact learners Aegrotat
Examinations
Friday 26 Commencement Student Chapel and Braai for ALL staff and learners
Monday 29 Start of Lectures for First Term
FEBRUARY
Day Date
Monday 12 Final Date for Deregistration / Change of Subjects
Monday 26 - 28 Practical Ministry Exposure week (1- 4 Year Compulsory)
MARCH
Day Date
Thursday 1-2 Practical Ministry Exposure week (1- 4 Year Compulsory)
Friday 16 College Fun Day and Last Day of Lectures
Wednesday 21 Human Right Day (Public Holiday)
Friday 30 Good Friday (Public Holiday)
17 March – 8 April
Mid-term /Research break
APRIL
Day Date
Monday 2 Family Day (Public Holiday)
Monday 9 Lectures Commence for Second Term
Friday 27 Freedom Day (Public Holiday)
Monday 30 College Holiday
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MAY
Day Date
Tuesday 1 Worker’s Day (Public Holiday)
Friday 18 2nd Term Lectures End
Monday-
Friday 29 May – 6 June
1st Semester Exams (As per timetable released)
JUNE
Day Date
Wednesday 6 1st Semester Examinations Conclude
7 June – 15 July Winter Break
Saturday 16 June Youth Day (Public Holiday)
JULY
Day Date
Monday 9 Final Date for 2nd Semester Distance Learning Registration
Monday 16 2nd Semester Lectures Commence
Mon – Fri 16 -20 Aegrotat Examinations
Monday 30 Final Date to Deregister / Change 2nd Semester Courses
AUGUST
Day Date
Thursday 9 National Women’s Day (Public Holiday)
SEPTEMBER
(BTC STUDENT MONTH)
Day Date
Friday 21 Third Term Lectures Conclude
Monday 24 Heritage Day (Public Holiday)
22 September – 7 October
Mid-Term Break
OCTOBER
Day Date
Monday 8 Lectures Commence for Fourth Term
Friday 26 2nd Semester Lectures End
Mon - Fri 29 Oct – 9 Nov
2nd Semester Examinations (As per timetable released)
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NOVEMBER
Day Date
Friday 9 Nov 2nd Semester Examinations Conclude
DECEMBER
Day Date
Wednesday 5 Graduation
Monday 10 Early Registration Deadline
Friday 14 College Office Closes
Sunday 16 Day of Reconciliation
Monday 17 Public Holiday (Day of Reconciliation Observed)
Tuesday 25 Christmas Day (Public Holiday)
Wednesday 26 Boxing Day (Public Holiday)
JANUARY 2019
Day Date
Tuesday 1 New Year’s Day (Public Holiday)
Monday 7 College Office opens
Monday 14 Final date for 1st Term distance student registration
14 Final date for contact student applications (SA applicants)
Mon - Fri 21-25 Orientation for all new contact learners Aegrotat
Examinations
Friday 25 Commencement Student Chapel and Braai for ALL staff and learners
Monday 28 Start of Lectures for First Term
FEBRUARY 2019
Day Date
Monday 11 Final Date for Deregistration / Change of Subjects
Mon-Thur 25-28 Practical Ministry Exposure week (1- 4 Year Compulsory)
MARCH
Day Date
Friday 1 Practical Ministry Exposure week (1- 4 Year Compulsory)
IMPORTANT DATES
Semester 1 Semester 2
1st Term: 20 January – 16 March 3rd Term: 16 July – 21 September
2nd Term: 9 April – May 4th Term: 8 October – 9 November
First Semester Exams: 28 May – 6 June Semester 2 Exams: 29 October – 9 November
Mid-Year Holiday: 7 June – 15 July Graduation: 5 December 2018
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1. PREAMBLE
The Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa, being a Christian college, is fully
committed to the standards of conduct outlined in the Scriptures, and endorses the words of
the Apostle John:
‘Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.’ (1 John 2:6)
The purpose of our existence as an institution and of our learners should depict the nature of
our character; that we are an institution as well as men and women who are called by God. For
that reason, we should display the qualities of humility, honesty, purity, and respect – for
people and property, and endeavour to do ‘all to the glory of God’.
Therefore, we commit ourselves to mutually fulfill our calling. By the same token, every
graduate will reflect the institution’s name, philosophy and ethos wherever they go which
compels us to uphold these guidelines. The culture of indiscipline or misconduct is therefore
unacceptable on our campus.
‘Misconduct’ comprises behaviour within or without the precincts of the College, without just
excuse, which constitutes a breach of any of the given code of conduct regulations or:
a) constitutes a failure or refusal to comply with any corrective measures or order
imposed or made under these rules; or
b) constitutes a failure or refusal to obey a lawful order; or
c) constitutes conduct that tends to bring the College or any part of it or a member of its
staff or a student or any part of its student body into contempt or disrepute; or
d) interferes with the governance and proper administration of the College; or
e) interferes with the conditions necessary for teaching, learning or research.
Student registration will be conditional to an agreement and signing to abide by the Code of
Conduct as set in this document. A declaration form to this effect will be issued at registration.
Disciplinary and/or corrective action will be taken against offences thereafter.
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1. ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Offences shall consist of the contraventions of any of the following rules:
Academic dishonesty in any form including, but without being limited to plagiarism, and collusion,
cheating in tests, examinations, assignments, theses and research papers.
Cheating on tests and examinations includes but is not limited to:
a) Copying from another student’s test or examination script.
b) Using or being in possession of material during a test or examination not authorized by the
invigilator.
c) Collaborating with any other person during a test or examination without authority.
d) Illegally obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or in part the
contents or any information about an un-administered test or examination.
e) Substituting for another student or permitting any other person to substitute for oneself, to take
a test or examination.
f) Altering a returned test or examination script for subsequent re-evaluation and marking.
g) Failure to return a test or examination script that the supervisor has requested to be returned.
h) Removal of a test or examination script from the test or examination venue, which the
supervisor has requested not to be removed.
“Plagiarism” means to steal, or to pass off as one’s own, the formulation, idea or words of another.
Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
a) the appropriation of formulations, ideas or words from the work of another person without
acknowledging the author(s) and the source; and
b) the appropriation of work from someone else’s assignment, thesis, test or research paper
without acknowledging such other person and/ or source.)
“Collusion” means the unauthorised, illegitimate or unjustified collaboration with any other person
in preparing work offered for credit.
Class Attendance
a) All lectures are compulsory for contact learners and an attendance register will be kept by the
lecturer.
b) A maximum of twice the number of periods offered per week may be missed.
c) Absence for a period longer than the allowable time means that the student will not attain Due
Performance (DP) which means the subject is failed.
d) Learners are not allowed to stay absent in order to do assignments.
e) Learners more than 10 minutes late for a lecture may be required to sit out for the remainder
of the period.
f) No eating or drinking in and during class.
g) Use of a cellphone during lectures is strictly prohibited.
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Absenteeism
a) On medical grounds: Any student who is absent from College for 3 consecutive days or more on
grounds of illness must produce a valid medical certificate to the administrative office.
b) On non-medical grounds: Permission to be absent: The written permission of the respective
lecturer/s must be obtained before getting a final written confirmation from the Principal or
his duly authorized deputy. The student must motivate his/her reason for absence in a letter
which must be given to the lecturer. However, it still remains the responsibility of the student
to ensure that he/she will obtain a Due Performance certificate.
Student/Staff Relationship
a) The Registrar is the head of the Administration of the College and is your first port of call on
most matters pertaining to your registration and performance at the College.
b) The Principal is the highest and final human authority on campus and deserves all the respect
due him.
c) All lecturers will be addressed by their titles and should be treated with respect as office bearers
at this college.
d) All lecturers can only be seen via an appointment. Staff Lounge and Lecturer’s offices are
otherwise out of bounds to learners.
e) All administrative staff and their offices should be treated with due respect.
Assignments
a) The student must adhere to the College Assignment Writing Guide at all times. Failure to do
so will result in loss of marks. Some leniency will be permitted in the first year, escalating in
strictness up to Fourth Year and Graduate Studies. Only the Principal or his duly authorized
deputy can give an extension on assignment dates and penalties will apply.
b) All requirements are to be completed satisfactorily. Marks are deductible for failure to abide by
the formatting rules. At 3rd and 4th years level, formatting and referencing non-compliance may
result in an assignment fail.
c) Due date for submission of work is non-negotiable, and learners will be penalized 5% per day
to a maximum of 4 days for late submission.
d) Thereafter, the exercise or assignment will not be accepted unless the student obtains prior
written permission from the Principal to hand in work late (See College Assignment Writing
Guide).
e) Even if the Principal’s permission to submit an assignment after 4 days due to carefully verified
circumstances, marks will continue to be subtracted at 3% per overdue day, even though the
late assignment still allows for the subject to be continued.
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Course Grading
a) Learners should be reminded that registration as a student implies a commitment to diligent
study. This means not only physical presence but active participation in classes.
b) In identifying learners who have not performed satisfactorily, lecturers will have regard to:
attendance, actual participation and/or performance in assignments, projects, or any other
controlled activity of the class during the course/year. Any other factors, which the lecturer
considers appropriate.
c) All course requirements are to be satisfactorily completed. No course may be passed where all
requirements stipulated in the Course Directive are not completed. This may be a small 3% or
5% requirement. This is the law of OBE education whereby learners are given a variety of
opportunities for being graded.
d) The pass mark for all our courses is 50%. A course is compiled of personal work, possible class
presentations, possible tests, book/article reviews and an exam (where applicable). This gives
everyone a fair chance at passing the subject. Supplementary Exams are thus not permitted.
e) In completing the assignments, learners should remember: To follow the College’s Assignment
Writing Guide, as marks will be deducted for incorrect and poor presentation. Regarding
length, learners should note that they will be penalized for length that falls outside of the
allocated parameters as indicated (1% per 100 words or part thereof under or over the stipulated
length). This applies where the Course Directive so requires it.
f) With respect to the bibliography: Where a minimum number of references is stipulated, this
must be adhered to; each reference short will be penalized by 1%. Any Bible (including study
Bibles), basic dictionaries and devotional guides will not be counted toward the total references,
unless an unusually rare quotation is made pertinent to the subject. Electronic sources are not
to number more than half the required number of references.
g) The due date is non-negotiable and learners will be penalized as follows for late submission: 5%
per College day to a maximum of 4 days and 20%. Thereafter, the assignment will not be
accepted by the lecturer and the student may appeal to the Principal with sound justification.
h) The failure to adhere to the stipulated assignment format requirements will be penalized, to a
maximum, as follows:
Body of assignment: 5%
Bibliography and Referencing: 10%
For 3rd and 4th years, this may result in an assignment fail.
i) Student registration for succeeding semesters is subject to performance review by Faculty.
Examinations
a) Candidates found in possession of books, apparatus, notes of any kind on paper or on their
person, or any other material not specifically authorised and not handed out by the invigilators
are contravening the examination rules and are liable to disciplinary action.
b) Books, bags, briefcases, knapsacks etc., are to be left outside the examination hall.
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c) No cell phone(s) will be allowed in the examination hall under any circumstances; if a
candidate is expecting an urgent message (in the case of illness), cell phones are to be handed
to a member of the administration staff with whom proper arrangements may be made at the
discretion of the examinations officer.
d) Candidates who enter the examination hall should take up their seats immediately and fill in
the attendance slips and the front cover of the examination books.
e) Once the invigilator has handed out the question paper(s) no talking is permitted. If a candidate
requires attention at any time during the examination, they are to raise the hand thereby
indicating a need for attention.
f) If any candidate needs to go to the bathroom, they are to request permission from the
invigilator. ONLY one candidate is permitted to leave the room at any one time. In an
emergency the invigilator will arrange for a staff member to accompany such candidate(s).
g) Candidates are not permitted to leave the examination room until at least one half of the
examination period has elapsed.
h) Candidates will commence writing only when instructed to do so by the invigilator. Candidates
should note that they must stop writing immediately the end of the session is announced, failing
which examination scripts shall not be taken delivery of and the examination shall be
considered as not having been written.
Supplementary and Deferred Examinations
The College does not conduct supplementary examinations because of the policy of the Education
Department whereby BTC gives a fair range of opportunity and methods to cater for various people with
differing former educational opportunities.
An aegrotat examination (in case of illness) or a deferred examination (in case of special circumstances
like bereavement) is conducted in January and July of each year and may only be granted if permission
is requested of the Registrar or Principal before an examination sitting.
Extra Time Allowance
a) Extra time may be extended to learners whose proven disability prevents them from completing
an assessment in the allotted time.
b) The student will be required to undergo an assessment prior to the awarding of any extra time.
c) The maximum amount of time allowed will be 15 minutes per hour.
d) Extra time will not be considered for the following:
- Illness (an aegrotat assessment can be applied for if necessary)
- Slow and illegible handwriting not related to a physical disability
- Minor problems, e.g. needing to walk around, stretch, rest the writing hand.
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Scholarships
Preference will be given to learners with a minimum average grade of 65% and who have no unresolved
disciplinary issues at BTC.
Fees
Please note that on registration learners will pay 25% of the annual fees. 37.5% is to be paid no later
than 15 April as an exam writing prerequisite. The outstanding amount is to be paid by September 15 as
a requirement to write end-of-year exams. Learners cannot register for a new academic semester with
outstanding fees from the previous registrations.
2. NON-ACADEMIC OFFENCES
Moral, Violent and disruptive behavior
a) No student shall conduct him/herself in an immoral way that would bring disrepute to the
College, his/her ministry and his/her character.
b) No student shall, while on any premises owned or controlled by the College or while
participating in any official activity, behave in a violent, threatening, insulting, disorderly,
improper or unbecoming way towards an office-bearer or member of the College Council or a
staff member, a fellow student or any other person.
c) No student shall bring onto or possess on College premises and/or residence any firearm or
other dangerous weapon.
d) No student shall threaten another student with hurt, harm, damage or reprisal in order to
induce such student to act or refrain from acting in any particular manner.
e) No student shall damage, deface or destroy any building, furniture, equipment or books or other
property owned or controlled by the College or upon the precincts of this institution.
f) A student shall not obstruct or attempt to obstruct members of staff in the performance of their
duties.
g) A student shall not occupy or be present upon any property or premises owned or controlled by
the College after being required to leave such property or premises by a member of staff acting
within the scope of his/her duties.
h) A student shall refrain from dishonest conduct especially that which causes or may cause harm
to the College and/or members of this institution.
i) No student shall make a false declaration prejudicial to the College in whatever form.
j) No student may consume, possess or distribute alcohol upon any property or premises owned
or controlled by the College.
k) No student may consume, possess or distribute any prohibited drug upon any property or
premises owned or controlled by the College.
l) A student shall obey any lawful order of a member of staff.
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Sexual Harassment
a) A student shall refrain from conduct amounting to sexual harassment.
b) In terms of this rule “sexual harassment” means any unwanted sexual attention outside of
marriage, whether in the form of physical conduct, comments, inappropriate gestures,
suggestions, hints, innuendo or similar conduct which the perpetrator knows, or ought
reasonably to know, will create an environment in which the person subject to the conduct is or
denied his or her dignity.
Dress Code
a) A student’s dress shall be modest.
b) For lectures, learners may dress casually except no slops and caps/hats are allowed. No student
may come to lectures barefoot.
c) For Friday chapel, learners should dress ‘smart casual’ (For men – this means traditional dress
or long trousers, collared shirts, socks and shoes.
d) The dress code when representing the college in any official or formal role such as preaching or
teaching forum, for men, long pants and a collared shirt is suitable and in some cases jacket and
tie. For ladies, the governing principles are ‘not too tight, not too short, or not too revealing’
which effectively means no plunging necklines, skirts above the knee, spaghetti straps and no
bare midriff.
The Tuck Shop
No food or drink is to be taken without payment.
The Common Room
This is to be kept tidy at all times.
No equipment may be removed from the kitchen without consent of the College.
Student Cards/Visitor Card
When a student brings a visitor on to the College premises, he/she must ensure that said visitor obtains
a visitor card from the receptionist, which must be returned on exiting the premises.
Parking of vehicles in the College grounds
a) Any driving student entering the premises of BTC must be the holder of a valid South African
or International driving license.
b) No vehicle may block entry/exits or any other legally parked vehicle.
c) No student may park his/her vehicle in a bay reserved for staff.
d) Observe no parking areas.
e) Permission must be sought from the Office of the Registrar for parking of student vehicles for
periods outside of normal College business hours.
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f) Where a student causes damage to another vehicle in whatever way whatsoever on College
premises it is incumbent on such a student to report such an incident to the Office of the
Registrar.
The use of the Library
a) Learners will observe all rules that the Librarian will or may deem necessary to ensure the
smooth running of the Library.
b) All borrowed books must be returned by due date, or a penalty will be incurred.
c) No books may be defaced in any way e.g. writing in them, removing covers.
d) No eating and drinking in the Library.
The use of the College Computers
a) The computers may not be used for purposes other than research, writing of assignments, and
where applicable for Journal searches.
b) No extraneous material may be downloaded onto the College computers.
c) No student shall access dubious internet sites even though BTC has attempted to block most
sites of this nature e.g. pornographic sites. Visiting pornographic sites will result in immediate
expulsion.
d) No eating or drinking shall take place in places reserved for computers.
e) Users shall endeavour to keep the area around their individual work stations clean at all times,
and clear of all materials that may cause damage to the equipment.
f) In the event of a student causing accidental damage to any part of a computer e.g. mouse,
keypad, screen etc. they are to report the matter to the Librarian and or the Office of the
Registrar.
g) The use of items used in retrieval of data whether from a home computer or other source must
be virus free e.g. flash disks, floppy disks etc.
h) No hardware is to be connected to any College computer at any time e.g. portable hard drives,
portable printers, MP3 players or any such device.
Classroom equipment
Classroom multimedia equipment remains the responsibility of the lecturer e.g. computers, cameras,
data projectors etc.
The Chapel
a) Chapel attendance is obligatory for all contact learners unless the student does not have classes
on the chapel day and lives a significant distance from BTC. Those who do not have classes yet
live within a reasonable distance are expected to attend.
b) Caps/hats are not allowed to be worn.
c) Dress and conduct should be appropriate.
d) No eating and drinking in the Chapel.
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3. COLLEGE RESIDENCE
a) Any student needing accommodation at the college facilities shall do so in writing and only
fulltime learners can apply.
b) A lease agreement renewable every year (or six months) will be granted to allow inspections
and assessment of academic status.
c) A student who abuses college facilities in any way deemed careless will be asked to vacate
his/her flat.
d) A student whose academic performance or status is no longer satisfactory will be asked to vacate
his or her flat.
e) College staff acting within their official capacities are entitled to inspect college flats as needed.
No student is allowed to block their entrance.
f) Learners must report to the college administration any repairs that need attention within 24
hours.
g) Learners must not attempt to repair any faulty equipment without permission from the
designated College official.
h) College furnishings within the flats cannot be removed without official permission to do so.
4. DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES
a) Any student deemed to be guilty of misconduct, as defined above, and as may have implications
for the College, will be disciplined according to the following rules:
b) The student must be informed in writing of the charges against him/her.
c) Academic Matters will be handled by the Dean of Studies.
d) Non-Academic Matters will be handled by the Dean of Students or an appointed deputy.
e) Administrative Matters will be handled by the Registrar.
f) When a matter cannot be resolved by the Deans or the Registrar or Principal, it will be referred
to the Faculty for a decision which will be communicated in writing or at a special meeting.
g) If any matter remains unresolved, it will be taken to the College Board, with the
recommendation of either a suspension or expulsion. The Council’s decision is final.
h) The student must be given a fair opportunity to counter the charge in person first to the Faculty
and if necessary to the Board of BTC.
i) If found guilty of misconduct, the student may be: (We need to determine what discipline is
appropriate for the particular offence)
- given a warning.
- reprimanded.
- suspended from lectures.
- deprived of all student privileges for a period or indefinitely.
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- excluded from residence for a stated period or permanently.
- permanently expelled.
- prohibited from entering any College premises.
- refused examination results or the conferring of a certificate or degree until such matter
is settled.
- Fined.
- Or as Faculty or Council may decide.
j) Should a student appeal against these disciplinary measures, his/her appeal will be considered
by the Faculty. Should the student be dissatisfied with the result, a further appeal can be made
to the College Board. That decision will be final.
Submission of statements or declarations
No student shall knowingly make a false or erroneous statement or declaration to any member of a
College Board or a staff member or intentionally provides materially false information concerning the
College or any member of the Board or a staff member, a fellow student or any other person.
5. CONSTITUTION OF THE SRC
Please take the necessary time to familiarise yourself with the guidelines below. Note that election
process is open only to fulltime learners. The SRC will be composed of the following portfolios:
President - responsible for the overall leadership of the SRC
Vice President – deputises ideally as a protégé of the President
Treasurer – responsible for student related finances mostly accrued through SRC fees
Student Care – responsible for the student’s needs, struggles, concerns, complaints etc.
Events – coordinates all student social events
Academic Matters – assisting learners with all academic matters
Worship – responsible for organising the music for College chapel
Communication – to oversee all student/ lecturer/ faculty communication
The following will constitute the election process:
6.1 NOMINATION PROCESS
- Please note that all nominees for the various SRC portfolios should have been on
campus for more than a year.
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- Nomination for any position is open to all learners, and will be in writing, counter-
signed by the nominator and nominee.
- Please note that a candidate can only be nominated once for the same position.
- No student can nominate him/herself.
6.2 SCREENING PROCESS
- Faculty and the Registrar will screen all nominees for suitability.
- A list of the approved candidates will be published prior to the voting process.
6.3 VOTING PROCEDURE
- Voting will be conducted by the Dean of Students or Dean of Studies assisted by
outgoing SRC members.
- All voting will be by ballot.
- Successful candidates will be published.
The official language used at BTC Southern Africa is English. Accordingly, our qualification
certificates and academic transcripts are in English.
Until such time as the infrastructure becomes available for us to be able to service Learners
in additional languages, all assignments and examinations must be written in English.
However, the Learners that do not have English as their first language will not be penalized
for poor spelling and/or incorrect grammar. Learners who wish to discuss any aspects
pertaining to the usage of language have the right to approach the Academic Head.
It is strongly recommended that Masters level learners have a good grasp of the English
language. The admissions committee may advise the candidate to study English at a
university best suited for the individual should his/her level of English be below average.
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1. Policy Statement
The Baptist Theological College of Southern Africa (hereafter referred to as BTC) will
ensure that all institutional practices, the work environment and the institutional
culture will value, enhance and protect the health and wellbeing of all employees and
learners. This policy will also define BTC’s commitment to learners and staff with
disabilities.
2. Scope
This institutional health, wellness and disability policy outlines how BTC will support
the health and wellbeing of all its employees and learners, and support learners and
staff with disabilities. The policy is applicable to all BTC employees and learners and
aligns with health and safety policies and guidelines.
3. Goals and Objectives
This institution’s health, wellness and disability policy provides the foundation for
developing activities and modifying institutional environments, policies and practices
to support the health and wellbeing of all employees and learners and to cater for
learners and staff with disabilities. Positive benefits are also likely to extend beyond
employees to result in better health for families and the community.
BTC will enhance its institutional wellness by:
Establishing and supporting an institutional wellness committee in the form of a
registered counsellor, the Dean of Students, the HR Controller and the Student
Representative Council (SRC).
Creating and supporting institutional wellness programs as are necessary.
Consulting with employees and learners to ensure institutional wellness strategies that
meet the prevailing needs.
Supporting employee and student participation in wellness activities.
Supporting employees and learners to adopt and maintain healthy behaviours and
reduce unhealthy behaviours.
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BTC is committed to:
provide full rights to education for all suitably qualified learners and prospective
learners with disabilities applying for admission;
not unfairly discriminating against any student or prospective student with a
disability;
promote, protect and ensure the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and
fundamental freedoms by its learners with disabilities;
promote respect for the inherent dignity of its learners with disability specifically and
persons with disability in general;
put reasonable accommodation measures in place where required to ensure equality
in opportunity and equal participation of persons with disabilities to the extent that is
does not cause BTC unjustifiable hardship and does not impose a disproportionate or
undue burden on the PHEI. Such will be determined based on the circumstances of
each case.
Allocating parking space with ease of access into our building;
Provide for one disabled toilet facility for use.
Provide any measure of reasonable support in flexibility in the teaching and learning
environment where physical impediments exist.
1. Responsibilities
Senior Management Team
The BTC Senior Management Team will do all they can to enhance the health and
wellness of employees and learners by:
Ensuring the health and overall wellbeing of employees and learners is valued.
Providing institutional environments and systems that are supportive of employee and
student wellness.
Providing opportunities for employees and learners to participate in wellness activities.
Participating in, and encouraging, employee and student participation in the wellness
programs.
Contributing ideas and expertise to the work of the wellness committee or wellness
representatives.
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Human Resources Department
The BTC Human Resources Department will do all that it can to enhance the health
and wellness of employees by:
Ensuring that the health of employees is valued.
Ensuring workplace environments and systems are supportive of employee wellness.
Ensuring employees have the opportunity to participate in wellness activities.
Reviewing, revising and developing human resources policies that support workplace
wellness in consultation with the wellness committee or wellness representatives.
The BTC Human Resources Department will do all that it can to accommodate learners
and staff with disabilities:
Ensuring equality and fairness of treatment;
Complying with health and safety prerequisites;
Ensuring a supportive, ease of access and holistic environment;
Assisting in practical aspects for work-related success;
Reviewing, revising and developing human resources policies that support fair
practices when it comes to learners and staff with disabilities.
Dean of Learners and Student Representative Council
The BTC Dean of Students and Student Representative Council will do all that they can
to enhance the health and wellness of learners by:
Ensuring that the health of learners is valued.
Ensuring institutional environments and systems are supportive of student wellness.
Ensuring learners have the opportunity to participate in wellness activities.
Institutional Health and Wellness Committee or Representatives
The BTC Institutional Health and Wellness Committee or Representatives will do all
it/they can to enhance the health and wellness of employees and learners by:
Encouraging long-term commitment to institutional wellness.
Assessing employee and student institutional needs.
Developing, implementing and evaluating wellness strategies in consultation with
employees, learners and management.
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Employees and Learners
BTC employees and learners will:
Work within any procedures and policies implemented to address institutional health
and wellness.
Contribute ideas.
Participate in the health and wellness program.
1. Institutional Health and Wellness Program
An institutional health and wellness action plan will identify BTC’s wellness goals,
objectives and strategies. The committee will review the action plan annually.
2. Disability
BTC will evaluate its compliance to Health and Safety legislative requirements on a monthly
basis and seek to update this policy annually.
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1. Preamble: BTC’s Student Complaint Policy provides a framework for fair and equitable processes
which enable student and prospective student concerns to be addressed as quickly as
possible and at a level as close to the source of complaint as possible. BTC is committed to
fairness and strives to resolve student concerns timeously, and with minimum impact and
disruption to the study process.
2. Scope and Limitations:
Any matter dealt with under the BTC Code of Conduct or Rules are excluded from this
policy. The scope of this policy shall deal with issues arising from student to student,
student to staff matters.
3. Policy Principles:
3.1 All actions under this policy shall be congruent with BTC’s values and are
consistent with the Statement of Faith and mission of the College.
3.2 All parties to a complaint have the right to be: heard; treated without bias
or pre-judgement; informed of any complaint made which relates to them;
provided with an opportunity to respond to any complaint pertaining to
them; informed about the status of any complaint which has been formally
raised and to which they are a party or in which they are named.
3.3 Consistent with the need to act fairly, all complaints shall be dealt with
expediently.
3.4 The College Registrar or Principal are College Representatives in Senior
Management and shall receive written complaints and the designated
Committee for final adjudication should the matter not be resolved by the
College Representatives, shall be the BTC Board, or a sub-committee
representative thereof.
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3.5 All complaints shall be handled with confidentiality.
3.6 Learners and staff agree to adhere to the BTC rules and Code of Conduct in
all matters pertaining to the life of a College student or Staff member.
3.7 BTC will take all reasonable steps to prevent complainants suffering any
disadvantage (including through victimisation) as a result of lodging a
complaint.
3.8 At any time during the process a complainant may withdraw a complaint,
by notice in writing to the responsible officer with further consideration
thereof being discontinued.
In any case in which a complaint is found to be frivolous, vexatious or malicious, action
may be taken by BTC under the Code of Conduct and BTC Rules.
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1. Do my courses at BTC require me to complete assignments each semester?
Each course has between two to three assignments each semester that are compulsory to complete.
You will find the information for each assignment in the course directive of each course. Please note
that these assignments are compulsory and are to be completed in order to gain entrance into the
examination.
2. How do I submit assignments?
All assignments need to be submitted onto Schoology. Upon registration, the student will be given a
student number, as well as codes for their subjects in order to sign up for Schoology and log in as a
student. Please note: NO assignment will be accepted if they are sent to an admin staff member or
lecturer directly. All assignments need to go through Schoology.
3. How will I know what textbooks I need to buy?
The prescribed textbooks are listed inside each Course Directive of the student’s course material. A
textbook price list is provided on the website that is easily accessible for the learners. Learners may
order books from our Book Store at [email protected].
4. Are there options for extra reading material?
We are currently working on making extra reading material available on our website. We are also
investigating options to make extra reading material available online to all learners.
5. Who can I contact if I have difficulties with my course material?
If you wish to speak to the lecturer concerned for each module, the email addresses for each lecturer
will be found in the course material. Please feel free to contact the lecturer for questions you may
have concerning the material. For course material distribution please email [email protected].
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6. I haven’t received any course material. What can I do about it?
Course material is sent out to learners at the beginning of each semester. For distance learners, you
will need to pay a 25% deposit before course material is sent out to you. If this has not been paid, you
will not receive the material. Contact [email protected] for any queries concerning finances. Contact
learners will receive their course material when lectures begin. This will be distributed by the
Resources department.
7. When do classes start at BTC?
The overall annual layout of the BTC year is stipulated on the Calendar, which can be found on the
website. One may check these dates in advance. The college timetable only applies to contact learners
who attend lectures on the BTC campus in Randburg, and will be updated each semester.
8. When and where do I write my exams?
Contact learners will write their exams at the BTC campus in Randburg. An exam timetable is sent
out to all learners together with an exam registration form which is completed and sent back to us.
Exams are written at the end of each semester.
9. How do Distance learners write exams?
All learners are sent out information concerning their exams and what to expect during the exam
season. Distance learners are required to obtain an invigilator through their Church that will
invigilate them with integrity while the learners write their exams. Exams are then scanned and sent
through to BTC for marking. The student is expected to also courier the actual exam through to BTC
for our records and safe keeping. Please note that we take plagiarism and dishonesty as a very serious
offense, and the student may expect suspension if BTC discovers they have been dishonest in their
exams. Please note that all information is given to learners so they know exactly what is going on and
what is expected of them.
10. When will I get the results for the semester? As soon as exams have been submitted and marked, the reports will be sent to each student.
11. Does BTC offer exam paper remarking?
BTC will offer exam paper remarking on the condition of the following: if the learner has failed the
exam that will result in the failure of the course, but they have passed their assignments with an
average of 60%, we will provide them with a remarking of that particular course. We will require a
nominal fee for this.
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12. When are the aegrotat examinations held? Aegrotat exams are held within the first week of the following semester.
13. How will I know which course to register for each semester? Each qualification has a designated course curriculum form. Once the student has chosen which
Study Programme to follow and what track to choose (missions, pastoral or youth), it is the onus of
the student to keep track of which courses have been completed and which ones still need to be
completed.
14. What is Schoology?
Schoology is the portal we use for the retrieval of student course material, the submission of
assignments as well as the online discussion platform for learners. This online system offers great
benefits to the learners of BTC. Please check the Prospectus for more information.
15. Can I apply for credits?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows recognition for skills or knowledge previously acquired
regardless of whether such skills or knowledge was obtained through formal or informal means. If
you have prior learning or experience in the areas of past studies or relevant ministry exposure,
acknowledgement in the form of the granting of credits may be applied according to the process or
RPL. RPL candidates will receive a formal assessment and depending on the level of experience or
knowledge acquired, may be awarded credits not more than 50% toward a formal qualification.
Assessment forms are available from the website. These forms must be completed by the Learner and
must be accompanied by all either original or certified copies of relevant documentation. A non-
refundable fee is charged for RPL assessments.
16. How much contact can I expect to have with BTC as a distance learner?
BTC is committed to staying in contact with our learners as they study via distance and contact
learning. We understand that distance studies can be challenging at the best of times, and so we
welcome your calls and emails with queries you may have. We have a distance learner coordinator
that is available to help you with any admin related queries that you may have. BTC will send SMS’s
and emails in order to notify its learners on upcoming events, updates and news.
17. Does BTC offer bursaries to its learners? Bursary support is made available to assist contact learners only. Application for the bursary support
is to be made online for consideration once the Learner is at the College. These bursaries are
specialized and are provided in April and September of each year. Bursaries have a specific set of
criteria that are considered upon application, however, there are many volunteer opportunities on
campus that can assist the learner in their fees.
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18. How many courses should I take per semester as a distance learner?
As a distance learner, we understand that there is a reason why you cannot be a contact learner, either
because of work or familial commitments. We therefore recommend that the you take between two
or three courses per semester, depending on your preference and workload. We do not recommend
you take more as this will put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Also, please note that by taking 2-3
courses per semester, it will also increase the time it takes for you to complete your qualification.
19. I haven’t had any response to my assignment yet. Who can help me?
Please allow the lecturer time to mark your assignment. Understand that there are many assignments
being submitted, and the lecturer will get back to you as soon as they are able. For any queries, you
may contact your lecturer directly. Their information will be found in the course directive of your
course.
20. How do the fees work at BTC?
The fee structure is separated into two sections: The Contact student fees and the Distance student
fees. Please pay particular attention to this. If you are a prospective contact learner, you will be
charged the application fee/ late application fee prior to your interview. Distance learners, please
note that the library usage fee is only appropriate if you live in and around the Randburg area, and
would like to make use of the library often. Learners will also be given a discounted rate on fees if
they are a Baptist member, provided they are able to provide proof of membership.
21. Where can I find the Prospectus, Calendar and College Timetable?
These can be found on the website. The college timetable will be sent out to the contact learners when
it is made available.
