Sunrise over the green mountain valley surrounding Mountain Hide College

Teaching and equipping saints for the spreading of the gospel.

Mountain Hide College trains men and women for ministry, missions and church leadership, but mostly we aim to develop the believer to live in power— through Scripture taught faithfully, community lived honestly, and a life set apart for listening to God.

36Modules offered
3 yearsLongest course of study
1990Teaching since

Courses built for real ministry

Every programme combines careful study of Scripture with practical service in a local church. Full course details, durations and entry requirements are on the Courses page.

Certificate in Biblical Studies

A one-year foundation in the whole story of Scripture — Old and New Testament survey, hermeneutics and personal discipleship. Ideal for anyone starting out in ministry.

1 year · Full-time or part-time

Diploma in Theology

Two years of systematic theology, church history and biblical languages, written for students who want to teach and preach with depth and clarity.

2 years · Full-time

Pastoral Ministry

Shepherding, counselling, preaching and church governance, taught by pastors still serving in congregations. Includes a supervised ministry placement.

2 years · Full-time

Worship & Music

Theology of worship, songwriting, band leadership and sound craft — for musicians who want to serve their congregation with skill and humility.

1 year · Full-time

Children's & Youth Ministry

Child development, teaching methods, safeguarding and family ministry, with weekly hands-on work in our partner churches and holiday clubs.

1 year · Full-time or part-time

Missions & Church Planting

Cross-cultural communication, church planting strategy and support raising, for students preparing to serve beyond their home community.

1 year · Full-time

Morning light falling through the windows of the Mountain Hide College chapel

A college set apart for listening

Mountain Hide College began in 1987 with nine students, one lecturer and a borrowed farmhouse high on the ridge. Nearly four decades later the buildings have grown, but the purpose has not changed: to give men and women the time, the teaching and the quiet they need to hear God clearly.

Our campus sits above the tree line, far from the noise of the city. Mornings begin with chapel, days are given to lectures and study, and afternoons are spent in service — in local congregations, in children's clubs, and in the villages along the valley road.

Students live in community here. They eat together, pray together, work through hard questions together, and leave with friendships and a church family that last far longer than the course.

  • Accredited programmes recognised by partner denominations
  • On-campus residence, meals and study space included
  • Bursaries available for students in full-time ministry

What our students say

Men and women who came here to study, and left to serve.

I arrived knowing how to run a service but not how to read a letter from Paul. Three years later I can open Scripture with my congregation and let it speak for itself.

Thabo MokoenaDiploma in Theology, class of 2023 · Pastor, Bethlehem Baptist

The quiet here did something to me. I had never sat with a passage for a whole afternoon before. That habit has shaped every sermon I have preached since.

Lerato DlaminiPastoral Ministry, third year · Youth leader, Grace Community Church

My lecturers knew my name, my story and my struggles. I was not a number on a register. That is the difference this place makes.

Pieter van WykCertificate in Biblical Studies, class of 2024 · Church planter, Eastern Cape

Come and see the campus

Applications for the 2026 academic year are open. Send us a message with the course you are interested in, or phone the office and we will walk you through the process.

CampusRidge Road, Mountain Hide, 4700
Phone+27 82 123 4567
Emailhello@mountainhidecollege.com
Office hoursMonday to Friday, 08:00 – 16:30

Send an enquiry

Tell us which course interests you and we will reply within two working days.

An open Bible with handwritten study notes on a desk in the college reading room

Courses at Mountain Hide

Six programmes, from a one-year foundation to three years of full-time study. Every course is taught on campus, in small classes, and paired with weekly service in a local congregation.

How to applySee the course list

The full course list

Entry requirements, duration and what each programme covers. Applications for the 2026 academic year close on 30 November 2025.

Certificate in Biblical Studies

A one-year foundation in the whole story of Scripture.

Old and New Testament survey, hermeneutics, church history and personal discipleship. Written for anyone starting out in ministry, or for church members who want to read their Bible with confidence. Students who complete the certificate with an average above 65% may carry credits into the Diploma in Theology.

Duration
1 year · full-time or part-time (evening option)
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, a written testimony, and a reference from your church leader. No prior theological study needed.
Course fee
R24 500 per year · residence and meals included

Diploma in Theology

Two years of systematic theology, church history and biblical languages.

The core academic programme of the college. Students work through systematic theology, the history of the church, and one biblical language to reading level, alongside homiletics and pastoral practice. Graduates leave able to teach and preach with depth, and to handle a passage in its original setting.

Duration
2 years · full-time, on campus
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, plus the Certificate in Biblical Studies or an equivalent qualification. Applicants without the certificate may sit an entrance assessment. Church leader reference required.
Course fee
R28 900 per year · residence and meals included

Pastoral Ministry

Shepherding, preaching and church governance, taught by serving pastors.

Counselling, preaching, pastoral care, church governance and conflict resolution, taught by pastors still serving in congregations. The final year includes a supervised ministry placement in a partner church, with weekly reflection sessions and a mentor assigned to each student.

Duration
2 years · full-time, on campus
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, the Certificate in Biblical Studies, and at least one year of active involvement in a local church. Two references, one from your church leader. An interview with the faculty is part of the process.
Course fee
R29 700 per year · residence and meals included

Worship & Music

For musicians who want to serve their congregation with skill and humility.

Theology of worship, songwriting, band leadership, vocal technique and live sound craft. Students lead worship in chapel each week and serve on the music teams of partner churches. A basic level of playing or singing ability is expected on entry; the course builds from there.

Duration
1 year · full-time, on campus
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, a short audition (in person or by video), and a reference from the worship leader or pastor of your church.
Course fee
R25 800 per year · residence and meals included

Children's & Youth Ministry

Teaching children and teenagers well, and keeping them safe while you do it.

Child development, teaching methods, safeguarding and family ministry, with weekly hands-on work in our partner churches and holiday clubs. Students learn to plan a term of lessons, lead a youth group, and work alongside parents. A police clearance certificate is required before the practical placement begins.

Duration
1 year · full-time or part-time (Saturday classes)
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, a reference from your church leader, and a clear police clearance certificate. Volunteers already serving in children's work are welcome.
Course fee
R23 400 per year · residence and meals included for full-time students

Missions & Church Planting

For students preparing to serve beyond their home community.

Cross-cultural communication, church planting strategy, support raising and the practicalities of living and serving in another culture. The year ends with a six-week supervised outreach placement, in South Africa or with one of our partner agencies across the continent.

Duration
1 year · full-time, on campus, plus a six-week outreach placement
Entry requirements
Grade 12 or equivalent, the Certificate in Biblical Studies or equivalent, and a church leader reference. Applicants should be at least 20 years old and in good health for the outreach placement.
Course fee
R26 300 per year · residence, meals and outreach travel included

Bachelor of Ministry

Three years of full-time study for those called to long-term leadership.

Our most demanding programme: three years of theology, biblical languages, church history and leadership, with a research project in the final year and a year-long ministry placement. Graduates are equipped to lead congregations, teach in seminaries, or continue to postgraduate study.

Duration
3 years · full-time, on campus
Entry requirements
Grade 12 with a university exemption, or a completed Diploma in Theology with an average above 65%. Two references, one from your church leader, and an entrance interview with the faculty.
Course fee
R31 200 per year · residence and meals included
Shelves of theological books in the college reference library

How a course year runs

Terms follow the school calendar, with two semesters of fourteen weeks each. Mornings begin with chapel at 07:30, lectures run until lunch, and afternoons are given to study, service placements and practical work. Wednesdays are set aside for church-based ministry, and every student meets a lecturer for one-to-one mentoring each fortnight.

Assessment is by assignment, examination and practical review. Part-time students attend evening or Saturday classes and complete the same coursework over a longer period — the certificate, children's and youth ministry courses all offer this route.

  • Small classes — a lecturer to student ratio of 1:9
  • Weekly service in a partner church from the first term
  • Bursaries available for students entering full-time ministry

How to apply

Applications for the 2026 academic year are open and close on 30 November 2025. Places are limited to eighteen students per year group, so early applications are encouraged.

  1. Send an enquiry. Tell us which course interests you and we will send the application pack by email.
  2. Complete the form. Include your Grade 12 results or equivalent, a written testimony, and your church leader's reference.
  3. Interview. We meet every applicant in person or online, and arrange an entrance assessment where one is required.
  4. Offer and registration. Successful applicants receive an offer within two weeks and confirm their place with a deposit.
A pastor preaching to a congregation in a church service

Come and see the campus first

Visit days run on the first Saturday of every month. Sit in on a lecture, meet the lecturers, walk the ridge, and stay for lunch with the students. Booking is free and takes a minute.

Book a visit day
The college entrance and stone gatehouse on Ridge Road, with the mountain ridge behind

Contact Mountain Hide

The office is open six days a week and the registrar answers enquiries personally. Phone, email, or send the form below — we reply within one working day.

Call the officeSend an enquiry

Where to find us

The campus sits on Ridge Road, high above the valley, about twenty minutes' drive from town. Visitors are welcome during office hours — the gatehouse will point you to reception.

AddressRidge Road, Mountain Hide, 4700
South Africa
Phone+27 82 123 4567
Emailhello@mountainhidecollege.com
Office hoursMonday – Friday: 08:00 – 16:30
Saturday: 09:00 – 12:00
Sunday and public holidays: closed

Getting here

Ridge Road, Mountain Hide, 4700. Turn off the R71 at the Mountain Hide sign and follow the tar road for four kilometres to the gatehouse.

By car

Four kilometres of tar from the R71 turn-off, then a short gravel drive to the visitor parking beside reception. Free parking for visitors and students.

By bus or taxi

Daily buses from town stop at the Mountain Hide crossroads. Phone the office ahead and we will arrange a lift up to the campus from there.

Accessibility

Reception, the chapel, the library and the lecture rooms are all on ground level with step-free access. Let us know if you need anything else arranged.

Come and see the campus

Visit days run on the first Saturday of every month. Sit in on a lecture, meet the lecturers, walk the ridge, and stay for lunch with the students. Booking is free and takes a minute.

Book a visit day