Psychologist

What the job involves

• Interview and assess clients, and provide therapy.
• Write reports for schools, courts or employers.
• Work in hospitals, schools, private practice or companies.

Study routes

• Degree, Honours, then professional Master's
  3 + 1 + 2 years

  Master's places are extremely limited; an internship and HPCSA board exam follow.

• Registered counsellor route
  3 + 1 years

  A shorter path to practising in a supportive counselling role after Honours plus a practicum.

What you could earn

Entry level

R25 000 – R38 000 per month

Mid-career

R40 000 – R65 000 per month

Senior

R70 000+ per month (private practice varies)

Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.

Where you can study this

Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.

• University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
• University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
• Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
• University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
• University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
• University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
• North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
• University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
• University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
• Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
• Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
• University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
• University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
• University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
• University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
• Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
• University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
• Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
• Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
• Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
• Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom

Official sources

• HPCSA — registration and scopes of practice
• HPCSA — registration and scopes of practice
• NSFAS — funding for university and TVET study

Questions learners ask

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