Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Purpose of the Qualification

The purpose of this qualification is to enable prospective mental health professionals and researchers in Psychology to prepare for a career in psychological services and/or psychological knowledge generation. The qualification aims to develop students’ understanding of the basic principles of Psychology, knowledge of community functioning, understanding mental health well-being, development of psychometric assessments, the procedures for diagnosing mental health disorders, knowledge of social and societal functioning, critical understanding of the principles of scientific research related to human behaviour, emotion, development, ageing and cognition. Furthermore, the qualification emphasises the development of counselling skills within the South African context. The qualification further aims to make students aware of the political history of Psychology and how it has contributed to the power structures that legitimised inequalities in societies. Students are encouraged to critically consider the shift from Psychology in Africa to African Psychology and to claim Psychology as an African endeavour.

Why is this Degree Important?

The call for a higher education which is cognizant of its social, political, economic and historical context have become stronger in recent years with vehement demands from students across South Africa for an education which speaks to their lived realities. In its attempts to respond to that call, the Department of Psychology gears its focus toward training programmes that take into account the social context in South Africa. Such a focus will not only produce graduates who are better equipped to provide psychological services but also as researchers and scholars who will respond to the urgent task of contributing to indigenous and contextual, locally produced knowledge within the discipline of Psychology. This is in line with the requirements of legislative frameworks such as the Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002, which advocates for the right to adequate healthcare that focuses on the physical, mental and social well-being of individuals. It is the opinion of the Department of Psychology that healthcare services are only adequate when they are rooted in their social context.

What Can I do with this Degree?

• The NQF aligned qualification as Psychology major specialization provides the basis for student progress into an honours degree programme where the practical application of the knowledge and skills developed in the course of completing the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, takes place. 
• This degree will  in turn provide you with the foundation for progress and entry into a professional master’s qualification in Clinical, Counselling and Research Psychology, which are recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The honours degree in turn provides the foundation for progress and entry into a professional Masters qualification in Clinical, Counselling and Research Psychology, which are recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• Depending on your second major, you may be able to articulate horizontally into qualifications in the disciplines of Criminology, Anthropology, Communication Sciences or Development Studies since these fundamental supporting disciplines can be extended into a second full major by taking additional modules as required by those disciplines.

What Knowledge will I Gain in this Degree?

• You will have exposure to psychological theory relating to human cognition, behaviour, personality theories, community psychology intervention strategies, mental health disorder diagnosis, psychometric assessment, basic counselling theories and social psychology.
•  You will also be exposed to psychological knowledge and intervention approaches within a multidisciplinary framework which emphasises integration into local community contexts.
• You will be exposed to knowledge base of psychology within the context of community mental health care settings, within the criminal justice system, in the sphere of policy and strategy development, with an emphasis on secondary and tertiary prevention strategies.
• You will be able to articulate horizontally into qualifications in the disciplines of Criminology, Anthropology, Communication Sciences or Development Studies since these fundamental supporting disciplines can be extended into a second full major by taking additional modules as required by those disciplines.

What does this Programme Entails?

The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology consists of a minimum of 50% Psychology modules which form the core of the degree and are combined with a choice (electives) from other Humanities and Social Science disciplines. The aim of the multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teaching approach applied within this qualification is to develop well-rounded psychological professionals who are capable of drawing on multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary knowledge in studying human development and behaviour and providing mental health services. You may explore the programme here:  https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Undergraduate-qualifications/Qualifications/All-qualifications/Bachelor-of-Arts-in-Psychology-(90180)

What Career Opportunities can I Purse after Completing a Degree in Psychology?

You need to consider that training in psychology equips you with theoretical, practical, and transferable skills that you could apply in a variety of contexts. For example, psychology graduates could work in different capacities in the following fields:

• For-profit organisations (HR, marketing, project management, research, consulting, coaching)
• Research institutions (Human Science Research Council, Institute for Safety and Health Studies, Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology, to name a few)
• Government (Departments of Labour, Social Development, SAPS and Correctional Services)
• Non-profit organisations (Non-governmental organisations, Non-profit organisations, Community-based organisations - think local, national, and international)
• Higher education (Universities and Universities of Technology)
• Schools (government and private)
• Other educational organisations (e.g. FET colleges and private training organisations)

How Long will I Need to Complete this Degree?

You have a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 8 years to complete the qualification.

What are the admission requirements for the degree?
Your admission to Unisa is dependent on you meeting the specific admission requirements for your chosen qualification.

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) (Degree endorsement) with at least 50% in English
or
A National Certificate (Vocational) with at least 50% in English
or
A Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption or qualify for the exemption from the Matriculation Board with at least a D symbol on HG or a C symbol on SG in English
or
A completed Higher Certificate at NQF level 5

Note: Applicants who do not comply with the above requirements, should consider applying for a lower level qualification for which they meet the statutory and additional requirements.

Applying for Admission:
Who must Apply for Admission?

• Everyone wanting to start a new qualification must apply for admission. This includes first-time Unisa applicants, Unisa students changing to a new qualification and applicants who previously applied for admission but were not offered a space.
• Everyone completing a higher certificate must apply for admission to a follow-on qualification.
• You must re-apply for admission if you previously applied for admission and received feedback but did not register for any reason.

When can I Apply?

For admission to Unisa's undergraduate qualifications (higher certificates, advanced certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas & degrees) please check updates. Or visit the Unisa application website (www.unisa.ac.za/apply) and follow the 5-step process.