Becoming a psychologist in South Africa is a journey that requires dedication, academic excellence, and a passion for understanding human behaviour. Based on insights from Melina de Kock, a counselling psychologist, this guide outlines the specific subjects and steps needed to pursue this career.
Contents
Why Choosing the Right Subjects Matters
Your academic foundation plays a critical role in preparing you for the demands of studying psychology. As Melina explains, becoming a psychologist is “one of the harder fields to get into,” and the competition is high. Excelling in the right subjects early on is essential for securing a place at university and beyond.
High School Subjects to Focus On
To study psychology in South Africa, you need to excel in key subjects during high school. These subjects not only boost your university application but also help you develop the critical thinking skills needed for a career in psychology.
Recommended Subjects:
- Life Sciences: Provides a basic understanding of biology, which is important for understanding the brain and human behaviour.
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy: Helps with data analysis and research, especially in statistics.
- English: Essential for writing essays, understanding academic texts, and effective communication.
- Life Orientation: Encourages personal development and emotional intelligence, both critical for psychologists.
- History (Optional): Develops critical thinking and an understanding of social contexts.
University Admission Requirements
After high school, you’ll need to enrol in a university that offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSci) with a major in Psychology. According to Melina:
- Universities often require strong matric results, particularly in English and Life Sciences.
- Achieving a high APS (Admission Point Score) increases your chances of acceptance.
Subjects in Your Undergraduate Degree
Once enrolled, your first step is completing a three-year undergraduate degree in psychology. This degree provides foundational knowledge in:
- Introduction to Psychology: Covers human behaviour, thought processes, and emotions.
- Biological Psychology: Explores the relationship between biology and behaviour.
- Developmental Psychology: Focuses on how people grow and change over time.
- Research Methods: Teaches data collection and analysis, essential for writing research papers.
Melina emphasises that maintaining good grades during your undergraduate years is crucial for progressing to the honours programme.
Honours Degree in Psychology
After your undergraduate degree, the next step is an honours degree, which is highly competitive.
- Key Focus: Research and advanced psychological theories.
- Required Marks: At least 65% in your undergraduate major.
“Your honours degree is not just about marks; it’s about showing dedication and passion for the field,” Melina advises.
Masters and Internship Programmes
The final academic step is completing a master’s degree in psychology, followed by an internship.
- Coursework: Advanced theories, clinical practice, and research.
- Internship: Hands-on training in therapy, rehabilitation centres, and schools.
Only a small percentage of students are admitted into master’s programmes, with as few as 6 to 12 students per university, according to Melina. The selection process includes:
- Panel interviews.
- Group activities.
- Role-plays and assessments.
Why the Right Subjects Matter
Melina stresses that choosing the right subjects and excelling in them from the start is critical. Psychology is not just about understanding human behaviour—it’s also about research, critical thinking, and effective communication.
Conclusion
Becoming a psychologist in South Africa starts with selecting the right high school subjects like Life Sciences, Mathematics, and English. From there, your academic path includes an undergraduate degree, honours, and a master’s programme. While the road is challenging, Melina reminds aspiring psychologists:
“If you’re passionate about this field, stay strong, do the work, and you’ll get there.”
For more insights, watch Melina de Kock’s full video.