Psychology at Unisa is studied as a major within a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences rather than as a standalone undergraduate degree. Entry requires a National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement, the Unisa Academic Point Score for the degree, and the language requirement.
The undergraduate entry requirement is modest compared with what follows. Progressing to registration as a psychologist requires honours, a professional master degree and an internship, and selection into those postgraduate stages is highly competitive nationally.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Applications are generally assessed on the following.
- A National Senior Certificate with bachelor degree endorsement
- The Unisa Academic Point Score for the degree containing psychology
- A minimum percentage in the language of teaching and learning
- Access to a computer and the internet, since Unisa teaches by distance and online learning
- An offer of placement, accepted online before registration
- Completion of psychology to third-year level within the degree
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Psychology is taken as a major alongside another subject within a BA or BSocSci. To progress you must complete psychology modules through first, second and third year levels within that degree.
Unisa calculates its Academic Point Score on the National Senior Certificate 1 to 7 achievement scale using six recognised 20-credit subjects, to a maximum of 42. Life Orientation is a 10-credit subject and is excluded. Unisa states that meeting the general and specific admission requirements does not guarantee a place, since some qualifications have limited spaces. Admission is by offer of placement, which you must accept online before registering.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
There is no prescribed matric subject for psychology. The language of teaching and learning result matters, since the discipline is reading and writing intensive, and Unisa sets a minimum percentage for it.
Statistics and research methods modules form part of the psychology curriculum at all levels, so basic numeracy matters in practice even though Mathematics is generally not a formal entry requirement for a BA route.
Documents and Application Requirements
Applications normally require the following.
- A certified copy of your identity document
- Your National Senior Certificate or latest statement of results
- Proof of the application fee, where one is charged
- Your final matric results, used to confirm any conditional offer
- A SAQA evaluation certificate, if you hold a foreign qualification
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Honours in psychology is selective and requires a strong average in your third-year psychology modules. Professional master programmes in clinical, counselling, educational and research psychology admit very small numbers relative to applicants.
Registration categories below the professional master routes exist, including registered counsellor and psychometrist, which require less study and have their own defined scopes of practice. Confirm the current categories and training requirements with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I study psychology as a standalone degree at Unisa?
It is taken as a major within a BA or BSocSci rather than as a standalone undergraduate degree.
Do I need Mathematics?
Generally not for a BA route, though statistics and research methods modules form part of the curriculum.
How do I become a psychologist?
Complete psychology to third-year level, then honours, then a professional master degree and an internship, with registration through the HPCSA.
Are there shorter registration routes?
Registered counsellor and psychometrist categories require less study and have their own scopes of practice. Confirm with the HPCSA.
Source: University of South Africa official admission pages, checked August 2026. Confirm current requirements with Unisa and registration categories with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. See UNISA courses and requirements. See admission requirements and browse all education requirements.