Applications for most Masters programs open early in the year before intended study; usually between March and May. Each university has different requirements for information and documents to include with an individual’s application.
To see the 2022 Masters application dates, deadlines, and university web pages, click here. As this information becomes available, we will be sharing it on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. Make sure you’re following them to stay updated.
Typically, universities will ask for the following;
- Completed university application form or online application.
- Completed departmental application form.
- Certified copy of the students ID or Passport.
- Certified copy of the students Matric certificate.
- Certified copies of the students undergraduate and honours degrees.
- Certified transcripts from undergraduate and honours degrees.
- Certified copy of Certificate of Conduct.
- Copy of the university specific essay (autobiography/life history/etc).
- Between 2 and 3 Referee Reports (sent directly to the university from the referees).
- Payment of any application fees.
Applicafion Forms:
When applying to any of the universities around South Africa, it is important to remember that you may need to complete two different application forms. The Departmental Application is an application that goes directly to the Universities Psychology Department and includes the personal aspects such as your Autobiography, Motivation, Therapeutic History, etc. The University Application follows the typical process that students would take when applying to the university. This application typically covers demographic information and is not seen by the Psychology Department. Always make sure you read the Application Instructions supplied on the Psychology Departments’ websites and follow the application process as instructed.
Certified Documents:
When applying for Masters, it is important to have all ones personal documentation certified as authentic and unchanged. The original university stamp on your transcripts and degree certificate are not sufficient in this case. Certifying documents means having copies of the original documents made and having a commissioner of oaths stamp and sign the copies authenticity against the original. Students wanting to have documents certified can usually go to their local police department with their original documents and the copies of the documents and have them certified. Additionally, students may have a lawyer or notary certify their documents.
Academic Transcipts:
In some cases, students that are currently completing their Honours will be applying for Masters, and will therefore not have a complete academic record. The universities that allow students to apply during their Honours year will understand that students will not have a complete set of transcripts and will ask students to submit any progress records they do have. This can be a screenshot current assignments done to date, or copies of any modules one would have already completed (if Honours is done over two years). Should a student be selected for Masters while still in Honours, the students acceptance may be on a conditional basis and the university outline the average percent the student would need to graduate Honours with to be considered.
Certificate of Conduct:
Many universities will ask students to provide a Certificate of Conduct from their previous university. This document is a summary describing the students overall conduct with their previous university and outlines any disciplinary issues or lack of fee payment issues. Students will only receive this document once they have completely finished their degrees and all outstanding payments have been received. Students currently in Honours will not be able to request this document as the university cannot guarantee that one’s conduct will be appropriate before completion of the degree. This document is oftentimes attached to the students academic record and may even be just one line stating; conduct satisfactory.
To read more on the Selection Process and Interview Process, click the links below;
For more information about selections and what the universities consider when deciding on potential candidates, click here – Selection Process.
If you are invited for an interview, be sure to read the information available here in regards to the Interview Process.
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