Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Course Details
next intake
Term 2
Applications Open
16 March 2026Applications Close
18 June 2026
duration
3 years, full-time (Campus) | 5 years, part-time (Online)
accreditation
NQF 7, CHE accredited
Campus
Why take this course?
The Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology is an NQF level 7 undergraduate degree that equips students to understand how people function in the workplace and create solutions that nurture human capital and drive organisational success.
The COVID-19 pandemic, together with the accelerated digital transformation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, has fundamentally disrupted traditional work models. In a world centred around people, organisations must adapt and reconsider how people interact with their workload and teams.
Industrial Organisational Psychologists are “workplace scientists” who establish conducive work environments, optimise individual and organisational efficiency, and apply psychological principles to understand human behaviour in the workplace. Throughout the Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, students will explore aspects of employee motivation and job satisfaction, leadership and team dynamics, workplace mental health, psychological assessments for use in recruitment and selection, performance measurement, organisational change and promoting leadership, motivation and well-being, among others.
Note: While there is an overlap between Industrial and Organisational Psychology (IOP) and Human Resource Management (HRM), the key difference is that HRM is a business management function focused on processes, principles and policies. IOPs take a psychological approach to understanding how people behave in the workplace and how to improve their well-being and performance.
What you can expect
You will get an introductory understanding of:
- Key concepts, theories and principles in the field of industrial and organisational psychology through critical evaluation and application.
- Collecting, analysing, organising and evaluating different sources of information to solve problems within the field of industrial and organisational psychology.
- How to select, evaluate and apply appropriate methods, procedures and techniques to solve problems or introduce change within a workplace system.
- How to address complex problems and apply evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments to motivate the solution.
- How to critically manage, validate and evaluate sources of information to make informed ethical decisions.
You will also develop
- An understanding of the essence of the South African labour force, the general operational aspects of organisations, and how to find solutions to overcome a mismatch in skills and roles.
- The ability to be an empathic, self-aware and values-driven socially conscious global citizen, who acts with integrity and is comfortable working and supporting others in an ever-changing environment.
- The ability to navigate an ever-shifting landscape to ensure that both individuals and organisations flourish.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and the ability to blend skills, critical thinking and creativity to create positive change in modern workplaces.
- Work Integrated Learning experience with a focus on Humanitarian Work Psychology. This growing field applies psychological principles and research to promote decent work, fair employment and social justice, especially in low-income, crisis-affected or underserved contexts.
Course Highlights
Accelerate transformation in the workplace.
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Gain an understanding of South Africa’s organisational needs.
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The first step towards registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Industrial Psychologist.
Who is this course for?
Do you
- Have an interest in psychology/social sciences and business environments.
- Want to improve workplace dynamics, employee motivation and organisational effectiveness through evidence-based approaches.
- Have an analytical mind, enjoy understanding human behaviour and want to apply this knowledge to workplace settings.
- Have a background in psychology, sociology or business and are drawn to solving people-related problems in organisations rather than pursuing clinical psychology or purely technical business roles.
- Enjoy research, working with data and have strong interpersonal skills.
- Have career aspirations that include human resources, management consulting, organisational development, training roles, or pursuing advanced degrees in industrial and organisational psychology, with eventual registration with the HPCSA as an Industrial Psychologist.
Career opportunities
Organisations seek professionals skilled in psychological principles to enhance efficiency in dynamic environments. As a successful graduate, you will be eligible for admission into a cognate Bachelor’s Honours degree or other postgraduate studies in the social sciences or related fields – both nationally and internationally. Graduates can also apply for entry-level positions as:
- Human Resource Manager, Consultant, Officer and generalist
- Organisational Development Consultant
- Coach
- Junior Behavioural Specialist
- Behavioural Scientist
- Academic
- People and Development Manager
- Senior Consultant
- Talent Retention Specialist
- Recruiter
- Human Capital Business Partner
And a registered Industrial Psychologist, having successfully completed an Honours and Master’s programme, a 12-month internship and Board Exam by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
IOP Modules
Modules
Year 1
- Academic Literacy (12 credits)
- IOP Foundations – Principles and Problems (14 credits)
- Society and Human Behaviour (14 credits)
- Digital Literacies for the 21st Century (12 credits)
- IOP Foundations – Individual Behavioural Processes (14 credits)
- The Individual and Society (14 credits)
- Diversity in the Workplace (12 credits)
- IOP Foundations – Social Behaviour and Processes (14 credits)
- Work and Society (14 credits)
Year 2
- Industrial and Organisational Psychology 2 – Applied Psychology in Human Resources (14 credits)
- The Work Environment-Human Factors (12 credits)
- Coaching Fundamentals (14 credits)
- Wellness in the Workplace (14 credits)
- Consumer Psychology (12 credits)
- Research in the Social Sciences A – Fundamentals of Quantitative Research (14 credits)
- Research in the Social Sciences B – Fundamentals of Qualitative Research (14 credits)
- Organisational Development and Change (12 credits)
- Workplace Counselling (14 credits)
Year 3
- Career Psychology (14 credits)
- Organisational Behaviour (14 credits)
- Humanitarian Work Psychology/Corporate Social Impact Project Part 1 – Preparation (14 credits)
- Ethics and Work (14 credits)
- Humanitarian Work Psychology/Corporate Social Impact Project Part 2 – Impact Research (20 credits)
- Organisational Effectiveness (14 credits)
- Humanitarian Work Psychology/Corporate Social Impact Project Part 3 – Presentation (10 credits)
- Industrial and Organisational Psychology 3 – Contemporary Issues in Organisational Psychology (14 credits)
- Psychological Assessment in the Workplace (14 credits)
Additional information
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high-quality education and a great learning experience for students.
Admission requirements
Subject to the selection criteria, applicants are required to hold one of the following qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
- A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects. OR
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi) with an achievement of at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including English, and an achievement of at least 70% in four vocational subjects chosen from the NC(V) Level 4 subject list. OR
- A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with Endorsement with English passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate. OR
- A Higher Certificate (NQF Level 5), or SAQA verified equivalent qualification, Advanced Certificate, or Diploma in a cognate field. OR
Foreign Student and Foreign Qualification Admission Requirements
- If applicants hold an international qualification, the international qualification will need to be converted onto the South African NQF levels in order to apply to study at SACAP. Applicants will need to contact the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) directly to apply for the conversion. Applicants will only be able to apply at SACAP once confirmation/receipt of application for the SAQA Conversion has been submitted. Once SACAP receives the applicant’s completed SAQA Conversion, a decision for acceptance will be made.
- Non-South African citizens with foreign qualifications must have a valid study permit in order to be admitted into any qualification. The study permit must be valid in terms of both the time period for the full duration of study, as well as the name of the learning institution. Additionally, foreign applicants must have their highest qualification assessed, verified, and certified by SAQA for minimum entrance requirement comparison before they can be considered for admission into a SACAP qualification.
- Since all academic activities at SACAP are conducted in English, all students must possess strong writing and speaking skills.
- Applicants who are 24 years old or older and do not meet the minimum entrance requirements for the Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology program may apply for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
- These applicants must submit a portfolio of evidence that demonstrates their formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning that is equivalent to the program’s minimum entrance requirements.
- The portfolio of evidence will support the applicant’s request for admission based on RPL.
- The application of SACAP’s RPL processes is detailed in SACAP’s Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy.
Course details
Duration: 3 years full-time (Campus), or 5 years part-time (Online)
Accreditation: NQF 7, CHE accredited
SAQA ID: 125163
Work Integrated Learning: 3 parts over 3 terms in year three, full-time, including supervision
A three-part project-based assignment:
Part 1: Focus on Humanitarian Work Psychology (HWP) and how to apply psychological principles and research to promote decent work, fair employment, and social justice, especially in low-income, crisis-affected or underserved contexts.
Part 2: Industrial and Organisational Psychology and Environmental Social Governance (ESG).
Part 3: The WIL Project Supervisor will guide self-directed learning in addition to providing feedback and insight into student responses to questions.
FAQs
Will credits be awarded for completing a Bachelor of Applied Social Science with a Human Resource Management or Business Management major?
No. Given that the Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology relates to a different discipline, no credits are awarded.
What is the difference between Industrial Organisational Psychology and HRM?
Industrial Organisational Psychologists study employee behaviour and apply psychometric and psychological tools to promote employee satisfaction and productivity.
Human Resource Managers follow an operational role. They manage people using workplace policies and procedures to ensure that teams are effective and productive.
How do I become an Industrial Psychologist?
As a Bachelor of Social Science in Industrial and Organisational Psychology graduate, one would need to continue with an Honours and then a Master’s year of study, followed by an Internship programme and a written Board Exam to become a registered Industrial Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
Is there a professional body involved?
Yes, the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). This body regulates and advocates for responsive, relevant and equitable psychological health care and wellbeing for all. Should you wish to practise as an Industrial Psychologist, you will be required to meet the necessary requirements to register with the HPCSA.
