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Master's & doctoral degrees

Master's & doctoral degrees

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Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology

Qualification code: 90116
Qualification type: Coursework
NQF level: 9
Total credits: 240
SAQA ID: 111243
Rules:
Theory and Practical (6 modules), a research methodology module, a dissertation of limited scope plus an internship (non-credit bearing). Students are required to register for the coursework modules and the research methodology module in the first year of study. All coursework modules must be passed in Year 1 before registering for the dissertation of limited scope and the internship in Year 2 and Year 3. The degree is awarded upon successful completion of the coursework modules, dissertation of limited scope plus the completion of the internship. Successful completion of this coursework master's degree is one of the prerequisites for registration as an industrial and organisational psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Students must write and pass the HPCSA Board for Psychology National Board Examination to register as an industrial psychologist.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with an advanced level of expertise and specialist applied competencies in Industrial and Organisational Psychology by means of course work (theory and supervised applied work-based simulated learning in a classroom setting) and a dissertation of limited scope (independent research). The professional Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology together with a successfully completed internship and Professional Board examination, places qualifying learners in a position to register as an industrial psychologist in independent practice with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and as a master human resource practitioner with the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP). The qualifying learner will be able to render psychological services in a variety of workplace related settings focusing on the prevention, assessment, diagnosis and intervention of human behavioural and work-related dysfunctions with a view to optimise and promote behaviour in individuals, groups and organisations. The qualification further offers learners' entrance to further study in higher education programmes, such as doctoral studies in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.


Who can register?

  • Applicants may only register once they have received confirmation from Unisa that their application for admission has been accepted. Returning students must please check their myLife e-mails for confirmation. New Unisa students will receive confirmation via the e-mail address they provided at the time of application.
  • Re-registering students (who made sufficient progress during the current academic year) and students who officially deferred their studies must register online during the approved registration period for 2026.
  • Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply for admission during the next application period or check whether the qualification for which you intend to apply is on the list of qualifications that you can apply for until the end of June 2026.


When can I register?

Registration opens Registration opens Registration closes Final date for payment
Master's & doctoral qualifications 7 January 2026 31 March 2026 31 March 2026

MCompt, Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Business Leadership (MBL) qualifications 
* All GSBL students with a 7-series student number should contact the Graduate School of Business Leadership for assistance with re-registration: www.unisa.ac.za/sbl

7 January 2026 21 February 2026 21 February 2026

Click here for the master's & doctoral qualifications: exceptions.  


Time limits for this degree

All master's and doctoral qualifications are structured over a defined period. Refer to sections 4.14 and 4.15 in the Procedures for master’s and doctoral degrees.

  • Coursework master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
  • Research master's degree: A maximum of three years with an option to apply for one additional year.
  • Doctoral degree: A maximum of six years with an option to apply for one additional year.

Both you and your supervisor are responsible for ensuring that you complete your studies within the approved duration for your qualification.

Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs)

Unisa has identified the following 10 Catalytic Niche Areas (CNAs) to be operationalised within the colleges:

  1. Marine studies      
  2. Aviation and aeronautical studies      
  3. Automotive      
  4. Energy      
  5. Space study and square kilometre array      
  6. Fourth IR and digitalisation      
  7. Natural sciences (biotechnological studies)      
  8. Health studies/medicine      
  9. Feminist, womanist and Bosadi theorisations      
  10. Student support and co-curricular activities      

If you are interested in any of these areas, please discuss it with your supervisor to incorporate one or more of the CNAs into your studies. 


Curriculum

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

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