Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The purpose of this programme is to educate, train and prepare students to fulfil the requirements of the Professional Board for Psychology for purposes of registration as Clinical Psychologists. The qualifying practitioner will be registered with the Health Professional Council of South Africa as a Clinical Psychologist to provide continuing and comprehensive mental and behavioural healthcare to individuals and groups across the lifespan as well as conduct research and promotion of mental health as defined according to the Health Professions Act no 56 of 1974 and subsequent amendments. This programme has been approved in terms of the new Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF).

Faculty: Health Sciences | Duration: 1 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa

What you will study

The published curriculum is an NQF Level 9 qualification of 270 credits.

Career pathways

Career fields listed on the page: Psychologist.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Unless Senate decides otherwise, candidates shall be admitted to the studies for the degree of Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology only if they have obtained an Honours degree in Psychology or a 4year Bachelor of Psychology degree (Registered Counsellor at a level considered satisfactory by the Department of Psychology and if they are registered with the Professional Board for Psychology as students. The following courses must have been studied prior to selection into the Masters’ Clinical Programme: Psychological assessment, Psychopathology, Developmental Psychology, Personality and Psychotherapeutic Methods, Research Methodology. Note: All candidates shall be subject to selection. Prospective candidates must apply in good time and present themselves for a personal interview. In addition, candidates must furnish the Head of the Department with the names of three referees, two of whom must be senior university lecturers who are able to report on their suitability for professional training. Closing date for applications: 31 May 2026 (2027 Intake)

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Applications for the 2027 academic year opened on 13 April 2026. Applications for MBChB, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Nursing Extended, BPharm and Bachelor of Radiography (Diagnostic) close on 30 June 2026.

Early applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, Nursing, BPharm and BRad) close on 03 August 2026; late applications close on 30 September 2026.

International student applications for 2027 (excluding MBChB, BPharm and BRad) close on 30 September 2026. The application fee for international students is R500 per year; online applications by South African applicants carry no application fee.

Student accommodation applications for 2027 close on 30 September 2026.

2026 down-payments before registration: R10 600 full-time (R6 200 part-time) for degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, Masters and Doctorates; R7 500 full-time (R5 200 part-time) for diplomas and certificates; enrolment fee R1 770. International students pay 100% upfront.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.mandela.ac.za

Explore more study programmes

Arts & Humanities