University of Cape Town Department of Psychology

Welcome to the Department of Psychology at UCT

If you’re not currently studying with us, but are interested in studying Psychology, we believe we can offer you an outstanding training in Psychology, certainly among the best in South Africa. As of September 2016, we are the only Psychology department from Africa in the QS World University Rankings’ top 150. We offer undergraduate training, as well as postgraduate training leading to professional registration as a psychologist. Please use this website to browse our offerings.

We are also one of the leading research departments in South Africa. Our staff members have considerable expertise in a number of areas, and have contributed important original research to national and international journals.

We strive in every way to produce the highest quality in the teaching of psychology and its research. We invite you to join us in the exploration and promotion of the vibrant discipline of Psychology.

The Department’s teaching and research interests are concentrated in a number of areas. In general terms its strengths lie in clinical psychology and in research, and in more specific terms, in areas such as child development, gender, psychological trauma, social psychology, cognitive psychology, research methodology and statistics, psychoanalytic theory, and neuropsychology.

If you are already registered with us as a student, please use the links on this website to find course materials and other resources that we make available to you.

UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS

Studying Psychology at UCT

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The undergraduate courses offered by the department prepare students for entry into both clinical- and research-based postgraduate programmes. The undergraduate psychology degree from UCT is internationally recognized, and many of the department’s graduates have gone on to postgraduate studies in other universities around the world.
The available courses cover the department’s four principal areas of expertise: Social psychology, Developmental psychology, Clinical psychology and Cognitive and Neuro-psychology. All courses are taught by internationally published and recognized experts in the relevant areas.
Students are encouraged to sample as many of these areas during their undergraduate degrees as possible, as UCT does not recognize specialization at the undergraduate level. The department offers Psychology courses to students in all faculties. Students from faculties other than the Faculty of Humanities are advised to enquire from their home faculties how courses from the department of Psychology can contribute towards their degrees.
Please note that for purposes of entry into honours and other postgraduate programmes in the department, no particular mix of undergraduate psychology courses gives an advantage. Students are encouraged to focus on their areas of interest. Details on the degree structure and rules can be found in the Faculty of Humanities Undergraduate Handbook.

Applying for Undergraduate Studies in Psychology at UCT

International applicants (including SADC applicants)

Applicants who are citizens of countries other than South Africa should contact the International Academic Programmes Office (IAPO) for more information.

Application Procedure

Applicants must follow these steps:

1. Follow the UCT application procedure (available here), and complete the relevant application forms. Closing dates for undergraduate applications may be viewed on the above website.
2. Ascertain whether they meet our admission criteria. Please see the Admission Requirements section of the Humanities Faculty website.
3. If you want to find out about entrance tests (AL and QL/AQL), which you may be required to take, please see the National Benchmark Tests site.
4. Please also read about fees and the fee structure, as well as financial aid

POSTGRADUATE APPLICANTS

How to apply for Honours in Psychology

Applicants must follow these steps:

1. Make an on-line application for study through the central UCT admissions office by no later than 31 October.
2. Complete and return the departmental application form directly to the department by no later than 31 October.

Applications will not be considered unless both forms have been received. If examination results are not yet available, these will be secured by the University. Applicants from universities other than University of Cape Town should provide their students numbers on the application form.

All candidates will be advised of the outcome of their applications by the second week in December. Successful candidates are required to confirm their acceptance in writing within two weeks.

Admission into Honours

The minimum requirement is a Bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology. The Department receives many more applications than the limited number of places we can offer in terms of staff, facilities and the high standards demanded by academic and professional requirements. All candidates are carefully considered and the screening process takes account not only of the total academic record, but also allows for consideration of individual cases in terms of the two criteria listed below.

1. Academic performance – A bachelor’s degree with a major in Psychology (or equivalent number of modules in Psychology). As a general guideline, an upper second class pass in third-year level Psychology is a basic requirement. In addition, the general level of the entire academic transcript is considered, as well as the award of distinctions, honours and bursaries. Consistency in academic performance is important.

2. Equity – In line with the UCT mission of equity and excellence, the selection committee will deliberately seek to ensure that the class will reflect the diversity of talent available in the country.

Other achievements, such as previous employment, extra-curricular activities and similar activities do not play a role in the selection process.

Please Note: Rejection of candidates in a particular year need not necessarily imply that the Selection Committee is of the opinion that the candidates are unworthy of a place in the course, but rather that the available places have been filled by candidates who receive priority by virtue of their qualification.

The decision of the Selection Committee is final and no discussion or correspondence will be entered into after selection has taken place. The process is generally completed by the end of the second week in December.

For any additional queries please contact Rosalind Adams. Her contact details can be found here.

University of Cape Town Department of Psychology