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Applications for the 2026 intake officially OPENS on 01 Apr 2025, and will CLOSE on 31 July 2025.
NO late applications or submissions of any kind will be accepted. Applicants are urged to familiarise themselves with the information and processes below to avoid rejection.
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1. Programme Information
The Department offers two programmes by research, namely, the Academic Master’s (MA Psychology), Doctoral (PhD Psychology). Both programmes involve a research project that can be submitted in a traditional format or article format.
The Academic Master's in Psychology requires that candidates demonstrate an ability to plan, manage, execute and report on an empirical research project. For a Doctorate in Psychology, a candidate should contribute substantially to the field of Psychology. More information on the differences between a mini-dissertation (coursework), dissertation (academic MA), doctoral (PhD) thesis or any master's or doctorate by article can be accessed here.
2. Formal Admission Requirements
For the MA Psychology (MA code 01250188), applicants are required to have obtained an honours degree with a minimum average of 70%. The master's degree is awarded upon successfully completing a full-length dissertation or a comprehensive dissertation by way of an article (refer to the MA Psychology Yearbook entry for further requirements). Accepted students are expected to complete the MA programme within two years.
For the PhD Psychology (PhD code 01264635), applicants are required to have obtained a recognised master's degree in psychology with a minimum mark of 65% for the research component (module). The doctoral degree is awarded upon successfully completing a full-length thesis or comprehensive thesis by way of articles and viva-voce (oral) defence of the thesis (refer to the PhD Psychology Yearbook entry for further requirements). Accepted students are expected to complete the PhD programme within three years.
3. Compulsory Documentation in addition to the Application
All applicants have to submit a number of compulsory documents when applying for the MA or PhD Psychology programmes respectively.
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Please note: All documentation (e.g. Academic Records) must be uploaded in PDF format before starting the application process. No documents will be accepted via courier, or in person after submission of the application on or before 31 July 2025.
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3a. The following compulsory documentation forms part of the application process:
- Copy of full Academic Record (AR) from each university where previous studies were completed, even if the most recent programme is not yet completed. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the preliminary academic record if still busy completing a programme on or before 31 July 2025
- Copies of degrees obtained (if studies are completed e.g., undergraduate & honours for MA or undergraduate, honours & master’s for PhD respectively)
- Certified copy of SAQA Certificate – refer to point 5 below. This is only relevant to foreign qualifications (e.g., studied in USA, UK, Botswana, Zimbabwe etc.)
- Should an applicant have a disability, please mention the specific disability (e.g. blindness, deafness, etc) in the applicable section on the UP Online Application for Admission Process. The applicant also need to submit an official document in support of this disability such (e.g. letter from a specialist)
3b. Example of the naming of documents before the start of the application process to upload:
- 2025_AR_Surname_Name
- 2025_Qualification_1_Surname_Name
- 2025_Qualification_2_Surname_Name
- 2025_Disability_Letter_Surname_Name (if applicable)
IMPORTANT: Do NOT upload a motivation, curriculum vitae, assignments or proposals. The Department will contact applicants who comply with the minimum requirements to proceed to the next phase of the application review process. During the first departmental phase, we will NOT consider any other documentation other than the compulsory academic record (AR).
Failure to upload the compulsory Academic Record (AR) during the UP Online Application Process will result in the application being regarded as incomplete, and it will not undergo further processing. The required documentation will only be accepted via the UP Online Application for Admission Process on or before 31 July 2025. No Academic Records (ARs) will not be accepted, via courier, email or in person.
Inability to comply with or adhere to the instructions set out on this webpage and the UP Online Application Process will result om the application being disqualified and rejected as unsuccessful.
4. Application Process
Applicants are required to complete the two (2) step process to apply for either one of the Academic MA or PhD Psychology programmes:
4a. Step 1: Checking Minimum Requirements
- Applicants must ensure they meet the minimum academic requirements to apply
- The minimum criteria for either one of the two programmes can be accessed in point 2 above. I am deleting unnecessary words
- Applications will not be processed if the applicant does not comply with the minimum requirements, resulting in automatic rejection with the following outcome code: “does not comply with the minimum requirements”
4b. Step 2:UP Online Application for Admission Process
- As mentioned in point 3a (above), it is recommended that all the compulsory documents be prepared in PDF format before starting the application process.
- All prospective applicants need to complete the compulsory UP Online Application Process to be considered for possible admission into either one of the programmes
- All currently enrolled students at UP need to complete the compulsory Internal Application Process through the UP Student Centre (Student Portal >> Student Centre >> Internal Application)
- Applicants must attach the compulsory Academic Record together during the application process described above (refer to 3b. for the naming of documentation)
4c. Departmental Research Committee (ResCom) Action after the UP Application for Admission Process
- Action 1: The committee will review all applications and academic records
- Action 2: The committee will contact only those applicants who comply with the minimum requirements as set out in point 2 (formal admission requirements) to proceed to the next phase. It is, therefore, essential that the correct email address for correspondence is captured on the UP Online Application Process
- Action 3: The committee will start the formal review process, and the outcome will likely be available by mid-November 2025 via the Student Centre (Application Status)
- Action 4: The committee will only contact successful applicants with the outcome consisting of a letter and instructions for the way forward regarding accepting the offer, completing the contract, paying the registration fee and the actual registration. The letter will also include the details of the allocated supervisor.
**Unsuccessful applicants will receive correspondence via the Student Centre under Communications and the Application Status
5. Faculty Student Admin (FSA) Process
- FSA will update the Application Status and load further communication via the applicant’s Student Centre:
- Student Portal >> Student Centre >> Admission Status (outcome of the Application
- Student Portal >> Student Centre >> Communications (official letters from UP)
6. International Applicants
- International applicants are welcome and encouraged to apply to the Department of Psychology
- However, all international applicants must have their foreign qualifications evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) before applying to the University of Pretoria for possible acceptance into the programme
- A foreign qualification is defined as a degree completed outside of South Africa, in another country such as Botswana, UK, USA etc. Please visit the Evaluation of Foreign Qualifications (SAQA) webpage for more information
- The SAQA certificate indicates qualification equivalence and should be submitted as part of the application process. Should the SAQA certificate not be ready at the time of the application, proof of the submission to SAQA (e.g. the receipt) needs to be attached to the UP Online Application Process
- Please visit the 2025 Info Guide and, more specifically, point 5. International Students section (pages 17 & 18) for more information, or alternatively, contact the international office directly at [email protected] for assistance. Also, refer to point 8 below for more information
7. Student Support Centre (SSC)
8. International Office
International applicants should familiarise themselves with the International Students webpage for immigration requirements, special orientation programmes, general rules and regulations, yearbooks, payment information, online registration, the info guide, student cards and accommodation.
If accepted for either the MA or PhD Psychology programmes, an applicant does not have to apply for a study visa or pay medical aid should the intended supervision be conducted remotely/online from the country of residence (i.e. by not coming to South Africa for supervision meetings in person). The MA and PhD Psychology programmes lend themselves to remote/online supervision since it is a dissertation or thesis by research only.
At registration, the applicant will then simply upload a letter from the allocated supervisor confirming that supervision will be conducted remotely/online, as well as a copy of a valid passport. In cases such as these, where remote/online supervision will be conducted, a study visa is not necessary. However, a study visa and all other requirements from the international office will be required should you intend to visit the campus (in person) to make use of the library or meet for supervision (in person).
Please contact the International Office at [email protected] for further assistance or clarity.
9. Enquiries: Departmental Research Committee
Contact Mr Armand Luijk for general information regarding the application process at [email protected].
~Information Revised on 31 March 2025~
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