Become a Psychologist: On this page, we explore what Grade 10 High School subject marks/results are needed or required to study Psychology in South African Universities and Colleges in order to become a qualified Psychologist. We also look at what APS Score is required for Psychology Degree and Diploma courses. You should know that every learning institution, internationally or locally, will have its own set of requirements for Psychology studies.
List of Grade 10 subjects required to study Psychology (Psychologist) courses
Embarking on a career as a psychologist requires careful academic preparation from high school. In South Africa, specific subjects under the CAPS (Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements) curriculum are integral to laying the groundwork for this career path.
The subjects needed to become a psychologist in South Africa include English, for effective communication and comprehension, Mathematics, to lay the foundation for statistical and research methods, and Life Sciences, to gain a basic understanding of human biology. Also important is Life Orientation, which offers insights into human behaviour and societal issues, and Social Sciences like History and Geography, to understand human society and behaviour. Knowledge of an additional language or languages can also be beneficial to connect with a diverse range of clients in a multicultural nation like South Africa. These subjects prepare students for further university studies in Psychology, including Bachelor’s, Honours, and Master’s degrees:
1. English
Proficiency in English is vital for aspiring psychologists as it forms the basis for effective communication and comprehension. Psychologists need to communicate complex concepts clearly and effectively, understand their clients’ concerns, and write detailed reports. Therefore, strong language skills in English, either as Home Language or as First Additional Language, are a must.
2. Mathematics
Mathematics provides a solid foundation for the statistical and research methods that psychologists use in their work. While it may not seem directly related to psychology, having a strong understanding of mathematical concepts is essential for psychologists who frequently use statistical analysis in their research and practice.
3. Life Sciences
Life Sciences, earlier referred to as Biology, is a crucial subject for future psychologists. The subject provides a fundamental understanding of human biology, including neurological and physiological processes. This knowledge is critical for psychologists, who need to understand how the brain and body function to assess their clients’ psychological health better.
4. Life Orientation
Life Orientation, unique to the South African curriculum, provides a broad understanding of topics like career guidance, health, social development, and personal development. It can help provide a basic understanding of human behavior, societal issues, and ethical considerations, which are important in the field of psychology.
5. Social Sciences
Subjects like History and Geography offer insights into human society, behaviour, culture, and environment. This understanding can be beneficial for aspiring psychologists as it broadens their perspective of the world and people’s interactions within it.
6. Languages
Learning a second or third language can be beneficial for aspiring psychologists. Multilingualism broadens cultural understanding and allows for more effective communication with a diverse range of clients in a multicultural nation like South Africa.
Upon completion of high school, students who wish to become psychologists must pursue further studies at the university level, typically starting with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. This is followed by Honours and Master’s degrees in Psychology, with the specific field of psychology (such as Clinical, Counselling, or Educational Psychology) being chosen at the Master’s level.
High school students in South Africa looking to pursue a career in psychology should focus on excelling in subjects like English, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Life Orientation, and Social Sciences. They should also consider studying additional languages. These subjects will provide a strong foundation for their future university studies and career in psychology.
Minimum requirements for Psychology studies relating to Higher Certificate, Diploma and Bachelor Studies?
- Higher Certificate. The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council. Institutional and programme needs may require additional combinations or recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
- Diploma. The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council, coupled with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40% – 49%) or better in four (4) recognised 20-credit subjects. Institution and programme needs may require additional combinations of recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology: The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the higher education institution as certified by Umalusi, the Quality Assurance Council, coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement, 50% – 59%) or better in four (4) recognised 20-credit subjects. Institution and programme needs may require additional combinations of recognised NSC subjects and levels of achievement.
Question: Can i study Psychology with Maths Literacy?
Answer: Yes you can study Psychology with Maths Literacy subject choice, and not pure Mathematics. Although different universities and colleges have their ouw set of subject requirements for psychology studies, many universities in South Africa accept Maths Literacy for this course.
What Psychology Career is all about
Typical Psychologists dentify psychological, emotional, behavioral, or organizational issues and diagnose disorders on daily basis. They also research and identify behavioral or emotional patterns. Furthermore, Psychologists also test for patterns that will help them better understand and predict behavior.
Psychology is the study of human experience and behaviour and the ways in which individuals relate to each other and their environment. Psychology offers a rich and diverse knowledge base concerning human functioning in all its facets.
Psychologists see clients for psychological assessment, psychotherapy and counselling. They work with a broad range of people including individuals, couples, families, and employees in the workplace and business organizations.
Watch this Video before studying psychology in South Africa
Psychologists gather information about people’s interests, abilities and behaviour using psychological tests and other methods in order to understand, explain and predict human actions. In doing so they seek to identify the source of problems and to determine treatment.
Psychologists may help individuals to deal with the problems of daily living, provide psychotherapy or conduct behaviour modification programmes in mental clinics and hospitals. They study human behaviour in terms of the environment or individual development.
Psychologists may also move out in the community and act as consultants or be involved in preventative work. This entails guiding people in the development of skills for dealing with problems before they even arise. They train various helpers in the community in skills to be applied in serving that community. In the forensic field the psychologist can play an important role in custody disputes and criminal offences.
Psychologist Career Titles in South Africa
If you complete your Pyschology studies, you can become on of the following in South Africa, or internationally:
- Clinical psychologist
- Counselling psychologist
- Education mental health practitioner
- Educational psychologist
- Forensic psychologist
- Further education teacher
- Health psychologist
- High intensity therapist
- Occupational psychologist
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner
- Sport and exercise psychologist
What is the APS Score marks/results for Psychology
In order for you to get accepted at a University in South Africa, or (Colleges that use APS scores) for a qualification in Psychology, you should possess a National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) with an APS score of between 23- 26. APS score is determined by the Grade 12 marks or results. It is also good to know that Universities and Colleges may use your Grade 11 marks if you applied before your matric results came out.
Read: APS Scores Requirements for all Psychology Degree in South African Universities
The minimum requirements for a candidate to obtain a Grade 12 National Senior Certificate?
The minimum requirements are:
- Achieve 40% in three subjects, one of which is an official language at Home Language level and 30% in three subjects.
- Provide full evidence in the SBA component in the subjects offered
List of APS Score Requirements for Psychology Degrees from South African Universities for 2022
Recommended: Psychology Degree at The South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP)
SACAP’s Bachelor of Psychology is an honours-equivalent professional qualification that leads to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Registered Counsellor.
This four-year degree will empower you with theoretical knowledge and practical counselling and communication skills to provide short-term supportive counselling, psycho-education and psychological assessment in order to protect and promote psychological wellbeing in individuals and families in diverse community settings.
Requirements:
- A National Senior Certificate or National Certificate (Vocational) with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in 6 designated subjects including Mathematics/Mathematical Literacy and English. OR
- Senior Certificate (Pre- 2008) with Endorsement, with English and Mathematics/Maths Literacy passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate. OR
- A Higher Certificate (NQF level 5), a SAQA verified equivalent qualification, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma in a cognate field.
Correct Subject Choice is Important
When it comes to subject choices, every learner should ensure that their subject choice (from Grade 10 already) will lead them in pursuing the careers they want.
The subject choice at the end of Grade 9, or Grade 10 according to The Department of Education, could determine the field of study learners can follow once they complete school. In other words, if learners do not select the correct combination of subjects, they could find themselves unable to enter into certain higher or further education programmes. So when making this important subject choice, learners should consider their options for when they complete school and select accordingly.
How much does it cost to study Psychology?
Although every learning institution will have its own fees structure and costing, studying Psychology courses can range from R15 000 to R60 000 per annum. It is always advisable for learners to contact the institution they want to learn at in order to confirm the study fees amounts for the year.
Types of Psychologists in South Africa:
Watch Video: 10 Psychology Careers To Know About
- Clinical psychologists: usually work in hospitals or in private practice where a diagnostic and therapeutic service is provided to clients who are experiencing emotional and/or mental distress.
- Clinical neuro-psychologists: specialize in the assessment and diagnosis of brain impairment and how this affects thinking skills, emotions, behaviour and personality. They are also involved in the rehabilitation and management of the effects of brain impairment and often work with other health professionals.
- Child psychologists: usually work in private practice or child related institutions and diagnostic and therapeutic services to clients under the age of 18, who having emotional problems usually as a result of trauma experienced, such as psychological, physical or sexual abuse.
- Educational and developmental psychologists: provide assessment, intervention and counselling services relevant to the management of developmental and educational issues across the life span. Specializations include: life span transitions, early intervention, disability, problems of learning and adjustment in schools, career and family development and ageing. They usually work in an educational environment where learners, students, parents and teachers are advised on topics such as school readiness, academic performance and development strategies.
- Counselling psychologists: provide assessment, counselling and therapy to individuals, couples, families, groups and organizations. Their clients are, in general, people trying to cope with everyday stresses and the resulting emotional and social problems. These psychologists are responsible for career counselling, marriage counselling and general guidance.
- Industrial or organizational psychologists: practise in business or industrial settings with the general aim of directly benefiting the economic well-being of the employing organization. They are concerned with people functioning effectively in relation to their working environments. Their areas of expertise include recruitment and selection, training, appraisal and review, vocational guidance and career development, industrial relations, occupational health and safety, planning technological and organizational change, organizational behaviour, ergonomics, consumer behaviour, job redesign and marketing.
- Sports psychologists: provide psychological assistance to people involved in sport and exercise at all levels seeking to enhance their achievement, enjoyment and social interaction. Sports psychology services focus on performance enhancement, personal development, well-being and adjustment skills.
- Forensic psychologists: apply psychological knowledge to assessment, intervention and research in the context of the legal and criminal justice system. They provide expert opinion to the courts in such matters as criminal behaviour, child abuse and custody disputes.
- Research psychologists: apply skills in statistics, research design, computing and data analysis in an attempt to answer a variety of questions. They may work in government departments, management institutes, market research, media or public opinion research.
- Academic psychologists: work in tertiary institutions, and conduct research and provide academic training for psychologists. A PhD qualification and a good record in research are almost always necessary to gain employment in this area.
- Community psychologists: are mainly concerned with community issues and with creating social change to prevent or ease human problems. Some work in areas of social need such as with the homeless, and the socially, intellectually or physically disadvantaged.
Personality Requirements for a Psychologist
A psychologist should:
– have an interest in people and human behaviour
– ability to solve problems and an inquisitive mind
– be patient and perceptive
– have good oral and written communication skills
– be mature and emotionally stable
– be able to deal effectively with others
– be sensitive, empathetic and compassionate
– be able to work independently or as part of a team
– have above-average intelligence
– be able to keep intimate information confidential and to uphold a very strict ethical code.
Training needed for a Psychologist
Degree: Training consists of 5 years of academic training at a university, with an internship of 12 months at an accredited institution. The basic minimum qualification for registration as a psychologist is a Masters degree in Research Psychology/Clinical Psychology/ Educational Psychology/Industrial Psychology and Counselling Psychology. Firstly, a B-degree must be obtained with psychology as a major subject – e.g. UJ, NWU, UCT, NMMU, UL, UNISA, US, UFS, UP, UV, UKZN, Wits.
Post-graduate study:
After completing this degree the prospective psychologist must apply for selection for a Masters degree in one of the five fields: clinical, counselling, educational, industrial or research psychology. The selection is a very intensive process and only a limited number of students are selected.
Masters degree in Psychology: The duration of this degree is 2 years. The first year is predominantly theoretical but includes supervised practical work. In the second year an internship has to be done under the supervision of a registered psychologist. A short thesis must also be written.
Registration: After complying with all the requirements for the Masters degree and successfully completing the internship, the prospective psychologist has to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa in one of the five recognised categories of clinical, counselling, educational, industrial or research psychology.
The Professional Board recently approved the implementation of a revised model for education and training in psychology in South Africa:
Registered Counsellors: Registration as a Registered Counsellor is contingent on completion of:
- An accredited 4 year BPsych or equivalent degree in Psychology and an approved minimum six-month’s internship in the designated practice area.
- The six months practicum included in the BPsych must be done under supervision of a registered Psychologist according to criteria set by the Professional Board. This practicum may occur from the third year of the degree and shall be not less than 2 months. The practicum may also occur after completion of the degree.
- Practice areas for Registered Counsellors include:
- career counselling
- employee well-being
- family counselling
- HIV/AIDS counselling
- human resources
- pastoral counselling
- community mental health
- psychometrics
- school counselling
- sport counselling
- trauma counselling
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is mandatory for this occupation. Consult the HPCSA website for the most up-to-date information relating to accredited qualifications and registration requirements. This information can be found in the relevant sections under the Professional Board for Psychology.
Where do Psychologists find jobs
– universities and colleges
– education departments as educational psychologists
– government departments and SANDF
– business and industries, as industrial psychologists
– HSRC and CSIR
– consulting agencies
– private, public and psychiatric hospitals
– community and rehabilitation clinics and other health care facilities
– churches
– correctional institutions
– self-employment, in private practice
Useful links: