Psychology Qualifications
SACAP offers a range of psychology qualifications that can be studied on campus or online.
Study a psychology qualification at SACAP
SACAP as a wide range of psychology qualifications to choose from including, a Bachelor of Applied Social Science, a Bachelor of Psychology that leads to registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA), a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology [BPsych Equivalent Programme] which also meets the requirements for registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
For more than 20 years, the South African College of Applied Psychology has been specialising in the provision of training in applied psychology. The College started offering counselling and psychology qualifications in Cape Town in the Western Cape, but as SACAP gained a reputation for its person-centric approach to learning and emphasis on applied skills, it has since opened campuses throughout South Africa. This means that you can study psychology qualifications in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg, Pretoria or Online and you can choose to study these accredited qualifications part-time or full-time.
Our list of psychology qualifications
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Counselling).
This is considered our gold standard of social science qualifications. It provides an excellent foundation providing graduates with useful skills for their career development and also and enables articulation in further study within the social sciences.
- Duration: 3 years full-time, 5 years part-time
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 90844, NQF 7
- Work Integrated Learning: 200 hours including supervision
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management).
This degree teaches students how to apply the knowledge they gain to the workplace to increase employer and employee productivity and work satisfaction.
- Duration: 5 years part-time (Online)
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 90844, NQF 7
- Professional Endorsement: HRM major endorsed by the SA Board for People Practices (SABPP) and aligned with the SABPP HR competency framework in design
- Work Integrated Learning: 3 months full-time including mentoring
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Business Management).
This degree equips students to understand the interrelation between the external business landscape and the psychosocial factors within organisations.
- Duration: 5 years part-time online*
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 90844, NQF 7
- Work Integrated Learning: 200 hours, including mentoring
Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Majoring in Psychology and Criminology)
This is a three-year undergraduate degree accredited at NQF Level 7, designed to equip students with applied skills in psychology and criminology to address social challenges in South Africa.
- Duration: 3 years full-time (Campus), or 5 years part-time (Online)
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 90844, NQF 7
- Work Integrated Learning: Project-based, 2 term module at NQF Level 7
Bachelor of Psychology
This 4-year, full-time professional degree leads to registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
- Duration: 4 years, full-time only
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 84166, NQF 8
- Practicum: 6-months full-time (720 hours), including supervision
- Professional Endorsement: Approved by the HPCSA’s Board of Psychology
Our postgraduate psychology qualifications
Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology
This postgraduate degree programme provides an articulation pathway into either a professional or non-professional Master’s degree in a cognate field both locally or internationally.
- Duration: 1 year full-time, 4 academic terms (Online only)*
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 96448, NQF 8
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling (PGDip in Psychological Counselling)
The Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling (PGDip in Psychological Counselling) is an NQF Level 8 professional and vocational offering.
- Duration: 18 months full-time, (inclusive of a 6 month fulltime, 720-hours practicum)
- SAQA Registration: SAQA ID 123611, NQF 8
- Professional Endorsement: Approved by the HPCSAs Board of Psychology
- Work Integrated Learning: 720-hour full-time practicum over 6 months, in a community-based setting (Year 2)
Did you know?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
SACAP Fees
See our latest fees here
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of human behaviour. It seeks to understand, predict, and explain why people think and feel as they do, by examining aspects such as personality, thoughts, feelings, emotions, motivations and social behaviours.
If you are interested in becoming a psychologist, view our qualifications here
What requirements are needed to study psychology?
First and foremost, psychology is all about the study of people, so you should have an interest in the ways that humans think and behave. As a leading provider of applied psychology, each of SACAP’s qualifications has a unique set of minimum admission requirements, so take a look at both our certificate, diploma, degree, and postgraduate qualifications here and click on the qualification that interests you most and learn what its specific entry requirements are.
How long does it take to study psychology at SACAP?
The length of time it takes to study psychology at SACAP depends on the qualification chosen. As a leading independent provider of applied psychology in South Africa, SACAP offers a range of accredited qualifications of differing lengths, each of which is designed within an applied psychology framework.
SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science with Psychology and Counselling as dual majors is a 3-year full-time (or 5-years part-time) undergraduate degree.
SACAP also offers a 4-year full-time professional Bachelor of Psychology degree that leads to registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA). SACAP’s 1-year full-time Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology also provides eligibility for graduates to study either a professional or non-professional Master’s degree in a cognate field both locally or internationally.
Do you need mathematics to study psychology?
Mathematics is advantageous, yes. While SACAP’s minimum admission requirements vary depending on the qualification, a foundation in mathematics provides students with the foundation knowledge required to study statistics, which enables them to carry out research, analyse data, interpret results and report on research findings.
How long is a psychology qualification?
The duration of a psychology qualification depends on a number of factors. Firstly, whether you choose to study full-time or part-time, and secondly, which qualification you are interested in. For example:
SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science with majors in Psychology and Counselling is a 3-year full-time or 5-year part-time undergraduate degree.
SACAP’s Bachelor of Psychology degree is a 4-year full-time postgraduate-equivalent professional programme that leads to registration as a Registered Counsellor with the Health Professional Council of South Africa (HPCSA) .
SACAP’s Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology is a research focussed postgraduate 1-year full-time programme, or 18-month part-time online programme.
