MA (Psychology) Research-Based

The MA (Psychology) Research Masters Program is located within a dynamic, research-oriented environment within the Psychology Department. Supervised by experts in their respective fields, students specialize in topics that include health psychology, personality & individual difference and critical psychology. While the emphasis of the degree is on a research project that culminates in a dissertation that is submitted for examination; students are expected to attend research workshops hosted by the University to facilitate their progress. Students are also required to participate in departmental research seminars. At the end of the program, students emerge with a set of sought-after conceptual and research skills suited to a career in psycho-social research.

Application dates

Online applications for admission to the University of Johannesburg open in June 2025 and will CLOSE 30 September 2025 for the 2026 intake.

NO late applications will be considered

All applicants both Prospective and Current need to familiarise themselves with the Application Requirements and Initial Application Process below to avoid disqualification.

Admission Requirements

For the MA Psychology (Research) degree students are required to have an Honours degree in Psychology with a minimum of 65% average mark. The Honours degree must have been obtained within the past 10 years. All applications are subjected to a selection process. The Master’s degree is awarded upon successful completion of a full-length dissertation (see the Faculty of Humanities yearbook for further requirements). Students are encouraged to complete their MA degree within two years*. The research proposal has to be submitted and accepted by the Faculty Higher Degrees Committee (HDC) within 6 months* of registration.

*Please note that the time frame for completion for a degree commences from the time of initial registration with the university. The time frame includes the time it takes candidates to develop a full proposal from an accepted concept proposal. The development of the full proposal, together with the ethics clearance application must begin in order to be accepted by the HDC, as well as the Faculty Ethics Committee (Humanities). Both HDC and the Faculty Ethics Committee sit at specified times throughout the year and candidates should allow for this process to be completed.

Application Procedures

Prospective students are required to apply to the University of Johannesburg via the Online Application page for admission before completing the departmental application form.

The Departmental Application Form, Concept Proposal, a copy of your academic record and a letter from a prospective supervisor indicating willingness to supervise your work need to be submitted to jmoodley@uj.ac.za (subject: MA Research Design Applications SURNAME STUDENT NUMBER) after you completed the online UJ online application.

The Department will only evaluate applications during October 2025 to make the final selection of students. Successful students may register in 2026 to work on a formal research proposal together with the supervisor (usually in January the following year). Once the formal proposal has officially been approved by the Department, as well as the FHDC and Faculty Ethics Committee (if applicable), the student can begin fieldwork required for the research.

Masters students are required to work on specific topics that fall within the Research Topics / Projects of the Department. Please contact supervisors to ascertain what these are. Topics will, however, only be approved provided a supervisor with the necessary expertise is available.

MA Potential Supervisors 2026

Click here to see the list of potential supervisors available for 2026.

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)

All international students need to have their qualifications evaluated by SAQA before applying to the University of Johannesburg for the MA Psychology (Research) Degree.  Please go to www.saqa.org.za for more information.

Duration of study

The MA degree studies require a minimum of one year and a maximum of two years registration for full-time studies or a maximum of three years for part-time studies.

Progress

A student’s studies can be cancelled by the Dean on recommendation of the Head of the Department if there is not sufficient progress. Such a student will be informed in writing and will be given an opportunity to indicate that he or she is able to make the necessary progress.

Examiners

The MA (Psychology) dissertation will be examined by at least two examiners who are external to the university.

Additional Assessment

Any examiner may ask that a candidate complete additional assessments in accordance with university regulations in this regard.

Submission

The final date of submission at the Dean’s office is 31 October for the autumn graduation ceremony and 31 May for the spring graduation ceremony.

At submission a candidate should also sign a declaration that the work is his or her own original work.

Process of study accompaniment

Candidates should consult with their promoters on a regular basis. A candidate should report at least once every three months.

Technical attention

Candidates are responsible for the technical aspects of their study.

Plagiarism

To prevent plagiarism, all dissertations have to be submitted to supervisors together with a Turn-It-In report.

For further details, contact: Dr J Moodley (coordinator)

Email: jmoodley@uj.ac.za

Tel: 011 559 7664