Academic Programme Coordinator: Dr. Hermann Swart
Undergraduate Administrative Officer: Ms. Princess Mahlasela: princessv@sun.ac.za; 021 808 3466
Possible Programmes
The University of Stellenbosch (SU), does not offer an undergraduate degree in psychology. In order to study psychology at the University, prospective students ought to enrol in one of the following programmes that offer psychology as a subject and/or major:
Bachelor of Arts:
BA (Humanities)
BA (Social Dynamics)
BA (Language and Culture),
BA (Drama and Theatre Studies)
BA (International Studies)
B in Social Work
BA (Human Resource Management)
BA (Music)
BMus
BA (Development and Environment)
BA (Political, Philosophical and Economic Studies) (PPE)
BA (Socio-Informatics)
BA (Sport Science)
BA (Visual Arts)
Law:
BA (Law)
Bachelor of Science:
BSc Human Life Sciences: Biology with Psychology
More information can be found in the University Yearbook: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/Pages/Calendar.aspx
Application Process and Admissions
In order to study undergraduate psychology at SU, each student ought to be successfully accepted for, and/or enrolled in, one of the above-mentioned programmes that includes psychology as a subject. Therefore, students need to merely select psychology as a subject once registering for the given programme.
General Undergraduate Admission Requirements
The following basic admission requirements are applicable to undergraduate degree, diploma and higher certificate programmes:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or Independent Examinations Board (IEB) school leaving certificate, as certified by Umalusi, with admission to Bachelor’s degree studies, which requires the following:
- A language of learning and teaching of a higher education institution be passed with at least 30%.
- A mark of at least 4 (50-59%) be obtained in each of four 20-credit school subjects from the list of recognised NSC subjects.
- For calculation of the average percentage obtained for the NSC or IEB, the subjects of Life Orientation and Additional Mathematics are not taken into consideration, and neither is the mark obtained for Mathematics Paper 3.
- Compliance with the faculty-specific, programme-specific and subject-specific admission requirements of the relevant programme for which the student wants to register. These specific requirements can be found in the University Yearbook: http://www.sun.ac.za/english/faculty/Pages/Calendar.aspx
- Sitting for the National Benchmark Test (NBT) is compulsory and performance on this test may be used at selection.
- A certificate of full or provisional exemption from the Matriculation examination, issued by the Matriculation Board to students from foreign countries or with foreign school qualifications
- Only applicable to the former Senior Certificate: A certificate of provisional exemption from the Matriculation examination on the grounds of mature age (23 years and older), excluding BA (Law), BCom (Law), LLB and BAccLLB.
Application Process
All prospective students, including those who intend to stay in private lodgings, must apply for admission to the University on the prescribed application form. It is preferable that this form be completed on the website at www.sun.ac.za, but hard copies are obtainable from the Registrar on request. The completed application form must be accompanied by an application fee of R100 or, if the web-based application form is used, the payment instructions should be followed. Applicants from quintile 1 – 3 schools are exempted from the application fee.
Closing date for applications: 30 June of the preceding year.
Undergraduate Subjects
Psychology 114: Psychology as Science
Course Coordinator: Dr. Dale Moodley
“Psychology as a Science” introduces students to core psychological concepts and theories, but within the context of thinking critically and reflexively about the knowledge psychology produces and its relevance for the South African context. This module engages with the following topics: the history of South African psychology, the decolonisation of psychology project, issues of race and gender within psychology, psychoanalysis, behaviorism, humanism, and cognitive neurosciences.
Code: 18414-114
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: None
Psychology 144: Psychology in Context
Course Coordinator: Dr. Sheena Naidoo
“Psychology in Context” gives students the opportunity to learn about important sub-disciplines within psychology related to human development which are applied and practiced in the South African context; they are developmental, abnormal and personality psychology. Moreover, the module provides a critical contextualisation on thinking about human development through topics broadly related to African psychology and considering issues related to culture and mental health.
Code: 18414-144
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: None
Psychology 213: Approaches to Psychological Theories of the Person
Course Coordinator: Professor Desmond Painter
This module addresses psychological theories and understandings of the person with reference to major contemporary approaches. Theories to be considered may include systemic, psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive and existential components, with consideration of the applicability of psychological theories to African contexts.
Code: 18414-213
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144
Psychology 223: Human Development in Context
Course Coordinator: Dr. Bronwyne Coetzee
In this module, human development is studied, with specific reference to the South African context.
Code: 18414-223
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144
Psychology 244: Research Design in Psychology
Course Coordinator: Dr. Zuhayr Kafaar
This module will equip students with knowledge and skills to evaluate the scientific literature in psychology. The module covers the core theoretical elements of both quantitative and qualitative research methodology using examples of current psychosocial issues.
Code: 18414-243
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144
Psychology 253: Data Analysis in Psychology
Course Coordinator: Dr. Rizwana Roomaney
This module focuses on the statistical procedures that are commonly used in psychological
research. The module will equip students with knowledge and skills to analyse quantitative data and to interpret statistical results.
Code: 18414-253
Credits: 8
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 114, 144
Psychology 314: Psychopathology
Course Coordinator: Ms. Mariam Salie
In this module abnormal behaviour is studied, from different perspectives and classification
systems, with specific reference to the mental health context in South Africa.
Code: 18414-314
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253
Psychology 324: Social Psychology
Course Coordinator: Dr. Hermann Swart
In this module, theoretical and methodological developments in contemporary social psychology are presented. Social relationships and identity are investigated with reference to social categories like sex, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, with emphasis on the South African context.
Code: 18414-324
Credits: 12
Duration: 1 Term
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253
Psychology 348: Psychological Interventions
Course Coordinator: Dr. Sherine van Wyk
Psychologists operate in a range of contexts, from individual psychotherapies to community interventions. This module critically discusses the principles behind the contributions psychologists make to human health, development and individual and collective well-being, with specific reference to the health and mental health context in contemporary South Africa.
Code: 18414-348
Credits: 24
Duration: 1 Semester
Prerequisite Modules: Psychology 213, 223, 243, 253