ABOUT

The School of Social Sciences offers various Professional Psychology Masters programmes. Please note that, as of 2025, the Internship is linked to the academic programme; therefore, the degree is conferred only once you meet all academic requirements, including completing the internship.

1. Clinical Psychology (Howard College Campus and Pietermaritzburg Campus)
2. Counselling Psychology (Howard College Campus and Pietermaritzburg Campus)
3. Research Psychology (Pietermaritzburg Campus ONLY)
4. Industrial Psychology (Howard College Campus ONLY)
5. Educational Psychology (Pietermaritzburg Campus ONLY)

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING RESTRICTIONS ON APPLICATIONS:

Clinical and Counselling Psychology (Howard College Campus and Pietermaritzburg Campus)	Applicants can submit only ONE application to EITHER the Pietermaritzburg campus OR the Howard College campus for Clinical, OR Counselling Psychology Professional Masters. If an applicant submits one application to the Pietermaritzburg campus and the other to the Howard College campus for the Clinical or Counselling Psychology Professional Master’s Programme, all your applications will be disqualified.
Industrial Psychology (Howard College Campus ONLY)	You are permitted to apply for Industrial AND the Clinical, or Counselling Psychology Professional Masters programme. In this case, you must complete separate applications for each professional masters programme.
Research Psychology (Pietermaritzburg College Campus ONLY)	You are permitted to apply for Research AND the Clinical, or Counselling Psychology Professional Masters programme. In this case, you must complete separate applications for each professional masters programme.
Educational Psychology (Pietermaritzburg Campus ONLY)	You are permitted to apply for Research AND the Educational Psychology Professional Masters programme. In this case, you must complete separate applications for each professional masters programme.

APPLICATION FEE

Please find banking details below for the application fee payment:

South African Account holder: (R210)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Name of Account: UKZN Main

Type of Account: Business Current Account

Bank: Standard Bank

Branch: Westville

Branch no: 045426

Bank Acc. no: 05 308 0998

Reference: APPN(followed by student number)

International Account holder: (R490)

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Name of Account: UKZN Foreign Deposit

Type of Account: Business Current Account

Bank: Standard Bank

Branch: Westville

Branch no: 045426

Bank Acc. no: 05 308 2826

SWIFT Code: SBZAZAJJ

Reference: APPN(followed by student number)

ADMISSION

A minimum of 60% average across all modules of the Honours degree. The disciplines have limited capacity and use a competitive selection process to allocate places based on high academic achievement and equity considerations.

SELECTION

The following is taken into consideration during the selection process:

• Academic results
• Relevant experience
• Proficiency in African Language
• Equity
• Referee reports
• Research interests
• Knowledge of the profession

To assist you in completing your application meaningfully, the following guidelines cover three key components: your referee reports, autobiographical statement, and research proposal:

1. Referee Reports: Choose your referees carefully. Select people who know you well professionally or academically and can speak meaningfully to your suitability for the programme. Avoid choosing referees simply because they hold a senior position. Contact your referees well in advance of the closing date to confirm their availability and willingness. It is your responsibility to ensure all three reports are submitted before the deadline. Reports received after the closing date will not be considered.

Applicants are required to complete Section One of the Referee Report Form and email the form to their three referees. The referees must complete Section Two of the Referee Report form and return the form to CHUM_PG_SAHS@ukzn.ac.za before the closing date. Referee reports received after the closing date cannot be included in an applicant’s application.

Duplicate referee reports (i.e., the second report completed) by a referee for the same applicant will be disregarded. Selected referees will be contacted to verify the information they have provided on applicants. It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they advise their referees accurately about the programme and campus they are applying for admission to.

Download Referee Report 2027

Autobiographical Statement: You are required to submit a one-page autobiography. This is not simply a summary of your academic achievements. Use it to reflect on your personal journey and motivations for pursuing psychology, any relevant life or work experiences, and why you believe you are suited for training as a psychologist. Selection panels use this to get a sense of who you are beyond your academic record, so be honest, reflective, and purposeful in what you share. Think psychologically.

Research Proposal: You are required to submit a two-page research proposal. This is an opportunity to demonstrate your capacity for independent academic thinking. Your proposal should cover the following:

• Study rationale: Why is this research needed?
• Research aims and questions: What does your study seek to achieve and explore?
• Literature review: A brief overview of existing knowledge relevant to your topic
• Conceptual framework: The theoretical lens guiding your study
• Methodology: How you intend to conduct the research

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTERS PROGRAMME

The qualification requires a minimum of 192 credits and requires a minimum of two semesters with a research project component, and thereafter a one-year internship.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application will OPEN on the 25^th June 2026 and will CLOSED on the 28^th July 2026

There are TWO COMPULSORY STEPS to complete your application:

STEP 1

PLEASE NOTE: You are also required to complete:

1. Complete the Discipline of Psychology Application form (this must be uploaded under the Matric or Academic record section on the UKZN Online Application) Disciple of Psychology Application Form 2027

Documents you will need:

Please ensure you upload all required supporting documentation as ONE combined PDF document :

(incomplete applications will not be considered):

1. Degree Certificates (certified)
2. All academic record (if qualification is external to UKZN)
3. Matric Certificate
4. Copy of ID Document 
5. Discipline of Psychology Application form
6. Proof of Application fee
7. To support the work experience you have captured on the discipline application form, you MUST include a stamped official letter on a letterhead for each work experience documented, confirming your role, dates, and nature of work experience.

To apply for admission into one of the Master of Social Science Professional Psychology Programmes, click the following link in order to apply directly to UKZN:

https://applications.ukzn.ac.za/applications/online-applications

STEP 2

2.1. Click on the RELEVANT link to complete the application, MS Form. The form includes clear guidelines and instructions on what is required.

• CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY MASTERS APPLICATION FORM – Fill out form
• INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY MASTERS APPLICATION – Fill out form
• EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY MASTERS APPLICATION – Fill out form        
• RESEARCH PSYCHOLOGY MASTERS APPLICATION – Fill out form
• COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY – Fill out form

PLEASE ENSURE YOU COMPLETE BOTH STEPS 1 AND 2

If you experience any problems with the online application please contact:

 Student Enquiries Enquiries@ukzn.ac.za

REFEREE REPORTS

Applicants are required to complete Section One of the Referee Report Form and email the form to their three referees.  The referees must complete Section Two of the Referee Report form and return the form to CHUM_PG_SAHS@ukzn.ac.za before the closing date,  

Application are OPEN.  Referee reports received after the closing date cannot be included in an applicant’s application.

Duplicate referee reports (i.e., the second report completed) by a referee for the same applicant will be disregarded. Selected referees will be contacted to verify information they have provided on applicants. It is each applicant’s responsibility to ensure that they advise their referees accurately about the programme and campus they are applying for admission to.

Download Referee Report 2027

POSTGRADUATE ADMINISTRATOR:

Ms Ayanda Ntuli (Howard College Campus)

Ms Sbongile Mthembu (Howard College Campus – Industrial)

Ms Nomfundo Mngadi Tel: +27 31 260 5549 (Pietermaritzburg Campus)

Email: CHUM_PG_SAHS@ukzn.ac.za

When communicating with administrators at the above email address please indicate your DISCIPLINE AND CAMPUS in the SUBJECT LINE so that we can identify you.  The School is not held responsible if we are not able to identify your application. The School is not responsible if we are unable to identify your application.