The Professional Master's in Clinical, Counselling & Research (Psychology) applications for the 2026 take will officially open on 01 April 2025 and will close on 31 May 2025.
Applicants are urged to familiarise themselves with the information and processes below to avoid disqualification or rejection. DO NOT make use of outdated documentation. Only make use of the information or documentation supplied on this webpage for the application process of each programme.
Click HERE for the 2025/2026 Departmental Research Themes & Focus Areas
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On this page:
The Department offers three master's coursework programmes, namely Clinical, Counselling, and Research Psychology.
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Clinical Psychologists assess, diagnose, and treat moderate to severe and complex forms of psychological distress and mental illness
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Counselling Psychologists promote personal, social, and educational functioning, career functioning and well-being of individuals, couples, families, groups, organisations and communities
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Research Psychologists are concerned with the use, development, and application of research methodologies, and the advancement of psychological knowledge in understanding human behaviour
The links below contain information regarding the programme content, duration, modules, etc., for each programme:
The yearbook links below contain programme information and requirements for the respective programmes:
Admittance to any one of these programmes depends on a selection process. Further information about the application process can be obtained below.
Applicants are invited to apply for any of its Professional Master's Programmes in Psychology, namely; MA Clinical, Counselling or Research Psychology by following the compulsory processes below.
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Please note: Preparing all the documentation to be uploaded in PDF format before starting the application process is advisable. No documents will be accepted via email, courier, or in person after the submission of either the UP Admission Application or the Departmental Application Process.
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Step 1: Application for Admission to UP
Step 2: Online Departmental Application Process
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It is essential to read the Instruction Letter for your chosen programme carefully to avoid disqualification
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The Instruction Letters for each programme contain specific Google Form links. It is essential that you apply, making use of the relevant Online Departmental Application Form for the chosen programme
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Only submit the supporting documentation via supplied links in the Google Forms stipulated in the Online Departmental Application (links in the instruction letter) and the Online Departmental Referee Form (links in the instruction letter)
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Do not submit any support documents to the Department directly via email, courier or facsimile - it will not be accepted
Please note that the Departmental Referee Form will be a specific Google Form (link in the instruction letter for each programme). This link must be emailed to your two chosen referees to complete and submit. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the chosen referees complete and submit the Referee Form via the Google Form link (supplied in the instruction letter) before the closing date of 31 May 2025 at 23h59.
The application process will be posted via the relevant instruction letter (link below via the blue block). Click on the appropriate link (relevant blue block) below for your chosen Professional Master's Programme Instruction Letter containing crucial information.
4a. MA Clinical Psychology Application
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Applications will open on 01 April 2025
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The link to the Instruction Letter will open in a new tab (webpage)
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Click on the image (blue block) below to download and read the Compulsory Instruction Letter
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Applications WILL close on 31 May 2025 - NO late applications/documentation will be accepted
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4b. MA Counselling Psychology Application
- Applications will open on 01 April 2025
- The link to the Instruction Letter will open in a new tab (webpage)
- Click on the image (blue block) below to download and read the Compulsory Instruction Letter
- Applications WILL close on 31 May 2025 - NO late applications/documentation will be accepted
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4c. MA Research Psychology Application
- Applications will open on 01 April 2025
- The link to the Instruction Letter will open in a new tab (webpage)
- Click on the image (blue block) below to download and read the Compulsory Instruction Letter
- Applications WILL close on 31 May 2025 - NO late applications/documentation will be accepted
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5. Important Deadlines
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Applications, including uploading of all supporting documents for the MA Clinical, Counselling and Research Psychology programmes, close on 31 May 2025 at 23h59
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The closing dates are relevant to both the UP Admission and Online Departmental Application Process. No late applications will be considered, nor will it be accepted via email, courier or facsimile
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All South African applicants who completed a foreign qualification must have the qualification evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) before applying to the University of Pretoria for possible selection.
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A foreign qualification can be defined as a degree completed outside of South Africa, in another country such as Botswana, UK, USA or other.
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The SAQA certificate indicates qualification equivalence and should be submitted as part of the application process
Invited applicants need to avail themselves during the respective interview dates listed below:
6a. MA Clinical Psychology:
- Applications Open: 01 April 2025
- Applications Close: 31 May 2025 (23h59)
- Submission of 1st Semester Transcript for Applicants Currently Completing Honours: 10 July 2025 (16h00)
- Notification of Applicants Invited to Selection Week: 1 August 2025 (16h00)
- Selection Week: 11-15 August 2025
6b. MA Counselling Psychology:
- Applicants who have been shortlisted are invited to participate in the selection dates as indicated
- The selections for 2026 are scheduled on the 20 & 21 August and the week of 01 to 05 September 2025
- Applicants need to also make themselves available for contact selection activities on the week of 01 to 04 September 2025. Participants have to be available for all days indicated, and you will be informed if your presence is required on the following day at the end of each day
- The Department will contact the shortlisted candidates with their selection interview times via email
6c. MA Research Psychology:
- Day 1: 18 August 2025 - Written Assessment & Group Activity
- At the end of Day 1, all applicants are scored and ranked in a shortlisting process by the panel of selectors
- All the invited short-listed applicants will be informed by email on 18 August 2025 by 15:00 if they have been selected for the final phase of the selection process
- Only shortlisted candidates will receive further instructions to proceed to Phase 2 which will take place between 19-20 August 2025
- Phase 2: Shortlisted applicants (details to be confirmed)
- All short-listed candidates will participate in the final phase of the selection process, which consists of an individual assessment, and an individual presentation to a panel
- Day 2: 19 August 2025 - Online Literacy Test (TALPS)
- Day 3: 22 August 2025 - Panel Interview Dates
Contact the Professional Master's Programme Administrative Coordinator for assistance or information via
[email protected]
Click
here to access the 2025 UP InfoGuide, containing important information for new students.
~Information Revised on 28 March 2025~
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