Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

I want to become a psychologist – what next?

You need to have completed your masters degree in one of the following three directed programmes; you need to register with the Health Professions Council of South Afirca (HPCSA), you will need to write the board exam of the HPCSA, complete an internship, and complete a mini-dissertation. In addition, if you completed a Clinical Psychology masters you will have to complete a year of community service.  MA (Research Psychology), MA (Counselling Psychology) and MA (Clinical Psychology) are the three directed MA degrees that are offered by this Department.

Can I become a psychologist with an academic masters degree?

Can I become a psychologist with my bachelors OR honours degree?

No.

When can I start practising in the field?

Only when you are registered with the HPCSA.  The minimum qualification to qualify for an internshop in any field of psychology is an honours degree in Psychology, and then you will need to liaise with the HPCSA to ensure that you complete an internship to register as a psychometrist. The honours programme does NOT automatically lead to registration as a psychometrist.  Only the directed masters degrees offered at this university qualify graduates to apply for registration with the HPCSA.
 

I studied at another university and have already passed certain modules – do I get credit?

This depends. You must supply proof of marks as well as of the nature of the curriculum you studied. You will need to obtain special permission from the undergraduate co-ordinator for this.

I am an international student and would like to study Psychology at Pretoria University.

You will have to contact the international student unit.

Do I need to take certain subjects in matric (Grade 12) to study Psychology?

No.

Do you offer evening classes at undergraduate level?

No.

What matric marks do I need to take psychology?

You will need an AP-score of 30 or higher, but admissions are handled by administration and NOT the Department.

I want to becomes a criminal profiler / CSI-investigator / child therapist – what do I do?

You cannot register for any of the above with the recognised MA degree programmes in this department.

I want to become a neurologist / neuropsychiatrist / neuropsychologist – what do I do?

You cannot register for any of the above with the recognised MA degree programmes in this department.  You need to look at information provided by the Faculty of Health Sciences.

I want to become an industrial psychologist/educational psychologist –  what do I do?

You will need to contact the Faculty of Economics (for Industrial Psychology) and the Faculty of Education (for Educational Psychology).

Is it easy to become a psychologist?

No.  Firstly, gaining entrance to the University is governed by various rules and regulations. Once you have been admitted to a bachelor's programme, you will have to gain entry to the honours programme which entails a strict selection procedure. After this, the MA courses (Clinical, Counselling & Research) proceed on the basis of strict selections as well (including interviews).  There is no automatic entry into these programmes.  There are only a limited number of places available in the postgraduate programmes.

How many years in total does it take to become a psychologist?

This depends.

-  THREE years for a bachelor's degree

-  ONE year for an honours degree

-  TWO years for the MA Clinical degree (plus one year internship and one year community work)

-  TWO years for the MA Counselling & Research degrees (plus one year internship)

I studied parts of my degree a few years ago and would like to continue with the degree now – what do I do?

You will need to contact the specific person responsible for the specified degree –  please see the rest of our web page.

I have a calling – I feel the need to help people – should I become a psychologist?

Think carefully before aiming to becoe a psychologist at the exclusion of other possibilities, as entry into the postgraduate courses are based on strict selection procedures.  There are other avenues and othr careers that go a long way towards assisting people as well.