Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at Nelson Mandela University

Programme overview

The purpose of this qualification is to educate, train and prepare students to fulfil the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Professional Board for Psychology for purposes of registration as Counselling Psychologists. It is a statutory requirement that students will be registered as Counselling Psychologists after completion of the degree and successfully passing the board exam for the Professional Board for Psychology. The Counselling Psychologist will render psychological services in a variety of settings, assessing and intervening with people with psychological, developmental and life challenges, as well as promoting optimum mental health and positive psychological functioning, as defined according to the Health Professions Act no 56 of 1974 and subsequent amendments.

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 Counselling Psychology only if they have obtained an Honours degree in Psychology or a 4 year 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 programme’s admission criteria are in line with the National Plan for Higher Education’s (NPHE) goal of widening access to higher education. Note: The personal attributes and characteristics of a learner are linked to suitability for professional training. Therefore, 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 (20276 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

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