UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES

The undergraduate courses offered by the department prepare students for entry into both clinical and research based postgraduate programmes. The undergraduate psychology degree from UCT is internationally recognized, and the many of the department's graduates have gone on to postgraduate studies in other universities around the world.

The available courses cover the department's four principal areas of expertise: Social psychology, Developmental psychology, Clinical psychology and Cognitive and Neuropsychology. All courses are taught by internationally published and recognized experts in the relevant areas. Students are encouraged to sample as many of these areas as possible during their undergraduate degrees as possible, as UCT does not recognize specialization at the undergraduate level.

The department offers Psychology courses to students in all faculties. Students from faculties other than the Faculty of Humanities are advised to enquire from their home faculties how courses from the department of Psychology can contribute towards their degrees.

Please note that for purposes of entry into honours and other postgraduate programmes in the department, no particular mix of undergraduate psychology courses gives an advantage. Students are encouraged to focus on their areas of interest.

Details on the degree structure and rules can be found in the Faculty Handbook.

FORMS AND RESOURCES FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

• Vula system (login required)
• Application for a deadline extension, PSY1001W/PSY1003W
• Application for a deadline extention, all other courses
• Plagiarism declaration, all courses

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR PSYCHOLOGY I (PSY1001W)

Applicants should read the pages regarding the UCT undergraduate applications procedure, the Alternative Admissions tests, fees and financial aid before reading the following information.

1. For first-time entry students (who have not previously attended a tertiary institution):
1. Students in named programmes - The department will admit students provided the course is listed in their program. Students admitted to PSY1001W in this category will not necessarily have access to other PSY courses.
2. Students in general degrees - Only students who have either (1) 43+ Matric points (SC) and 65% on the Quantitative Literacy Test (QLT) or at least Maths (HG) D (SC); or (2) 40+ NSC points and 65% on the Quantitative Literacy Test (QLT) or at least 4 on Maths (NSC) have unconditional access to PSY1001W. Students who do not meet these requirements may be allowed into PSY1001W via the routes set out in the table below.

Applicants who fail to meet these two requirements may still be admitted, according to the following table:

The MAM1014F and MAM1016S courses offered by the Department of Mathematics.

2. Returning students: - Humanities students who were unable to gain admission to PSY1001W in 2008 due to insufficient Matric points and/or the required Quantitative Literacy Test score will be admitted to PSY1001W in their second year only if they passed six semester courses (including MAM1014F and MAM1016S if they also did not meet the Mathematics or QLT requirement) in their first academic year. Humanities students registered prior to 2008 who were unable to gain admission to PSY1001W due to insufficient Matric points or university credits may be admitted to PSY1001W at the discretion of the Head of Department. Returning students from other faculties will not be admitted, unless PSY1001W is required for programme or major purposes.
3. By the Head of Department's discretion - in unusual circumstances, the HOD may admit students who do not meet the above requirements.

MAJORING IN PSYCHOLOGY

To major in psychology a student must complete at least the following courses:

• PSY1001W or PSY1003W
• PSY2006F
• Two other second-year psychology courses
• PSY3007S
• Two other third-year psychology courses

Students are free to take more than these courses during their degrees as electives.

COURSES OFFERED

Click on a course name below to view the handbook entry for that course. Detailed information regarding the course content, required readings, etc. is provided on the first day of lectures, and may be available by contacting the course convener directly (see the handbook entry for the course convener).

First year courses:

• PSY1001W Psychology I
• PSY1003W Psychology Foundation (this course is only available to students on the extended programme: quantitative)

Second year courses:

• PSY2003S Social Psychology and Intergroup Relations
• PSY2006F Research in Psychology I
• PSY2011F Clinical Psychology 1
• PSY2009F Developmental Psychology
• PSY2010S Cognition and Neuroscience

Third year courses:

• PSY3011S Clinical Psychology 2
• PSY3005F Critical Psychology
• PSY3007S Research Methods in Psychology II
• PSY3008F Health Psychology
• PSY3010S Introduction to Clinical Neuropsychology

TEACHING DAYS AND TIMES

The department usually teaches all courses from Tuesday to Friday, during the lecture period indicated at the back of the Faculty Handbook. The exception to this is courses taught in the Meridian (M) period - these courses are taught Monday - Thursday. All courses also have an additional tutorial or practical program, which typically runs once a week - students will be given information of these programs during the first day of lectures.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND PRIZES

The following are available (details can be obtained by email). Generally, prizes are only available on completion of a degree.

• Dr. Sylvia Gavron Scholarship (consult the undergraduate funding office for details)
• Phyllis Reyburn Prize
• J.G. Taylor Prize
• Lillian Buffenstein Memorial Book Award

Additionally, the top scoring student in each course receives the class medal for that course.

OBTAINING A DISTINCTION IN PSYCHOLOGY

To receive the degree with a distinction in psychology, a student must obtain, on their first attempt at each course, first-class passes (75% or more) in PSY2006F and one other second year psychology course, as well as a first class pass in PSY3007S and one other third year psychology course.