MSocSci Clinical Psychology at University of the Free State

Programme overview

The MSocSci in Clinical Psychology is a professional applied master's (240 credits, NQF level 9) accredited by the HPCSA and designed to lead to registration as a clinical psychologist. The language of instruction is English.

Faculty: Faculty of the Humanities | Department: Department of Psychology | Duration: 2 years: 1 year full-time on-campus study plus a 12-month accredited internship, with a mini-dissertation | Intake: 2027 intake; departmental applications close 31 May 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa

What you will study

First-year full-time training covers integrated theory across core applied psychology topics: psychological assessment, case formulation, a range of psychological interventions, professional ethics and research. Students register with the HPCSA as student practitioners and provide supervised psychological services to the public and in community programmes. The second year is an accredited internship, and a mini-dissertation is submitted.

Career pathways

Registration as a clinical psychologist requires the degree, a 12-month accredited internship, the mini-dissertation, the HPCSA Board Examination and 12 months of community service.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An exit-level 8 qualification in Psychology (honours or BPsych equivalent), or in process of obtaining it, with a pass mark of at least 65% in the honours qualification (candidates in their fourth year are selected conditionally). Fluency in English is required; fluency in another official South African language is preferred. Selection is competitive in phases (online sifting, shortlisting, in-person selection) based on academic potential, psychological knowledge and insight, interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity, maturity and research skills; work experience and HPCSA registration as psychometrist or registered counsellor are also considered. Applicants may apply for only one registration category (clinical or counselling). Non-South African applicants are selected provisionally pending the documentation needed for HPCSA registration and internship employment.

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.

Master's applications in Economic and Management Sciences open on 1 April; local applicants close 30 September and international applicants close 31 August.

Apply through the official page: https://www.ufs.ac.za/prospective/study-at-ufs/apply

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