Honours in Organisational Psychology (AHA00) (AFAPSYC45)
Applications Open on 01 July 2026 and Close on 31 August 2026
The Honours in Organisational Psychology degree is an academically-based programme aimed at providing students with a range of knowledge and skills within the field of industrial-organisational psychology, including employee well-being, training and development, and research. The degree is highly marketable, as there is increasing demand for students with strong research knowledge and competencies within organisations. However, it also offers a potential alternative route towards both professional training and other careers in applied psychology. The programme provides a pathway to register as an industrial psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Click Here to Download the 2026 Honours Application Guidelines.
The programme runs for one year on a full-time basis only; it must be emphasised that full-time implies your full availability for the entire year. You will not be able to hold down a job (except for weekend work) as well as take part in the programme. Classes take place during the week between 09:00 and 16:00. Concurrent study in another programme is also not advisable/permissible.
A part-time option is available and prospective students wishing to apply to study part-time will need to follow the process outlined.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Students are expected to complete five (5) modules successfully in order to obtain the degree. This includes Research Methods in Psychology (PSYC4045A); Individual Well-being and Effectiveness at Work (PSYC4019A); Theoretical Foundations of Organisational Psychology (PSYC4053A); Group Processes in Organisations (PSYC4016A); and the Research Essay (PSYC4044A).
RESEARCH ESSAY (PSYC4044A)
Students are required to complete a Research Essay on an approved topic, which is supervised by staff members in the department. The execution of the Research Essay follows a structured, goal-setting approach. As such, regular research seminars are held in order to monitor progress. The Research Essay is a full-year module conducted over both semester 1 and semester 2.
RESEARCH METHODS IN PSYCHOLOGY (PSYC4045A)
This first-semester module focuses on the theory and practical use of research methods and analytic techniques in Psychology. The module integrates qualitative and quantitative research designs to focus on the interpretation and critical analysis of a range of paradigms, methodologies, and practices in psychological research. Special emphasis is given to criteria of evaluation of research. Practical experience in computer-based analysis is gained in software for statistics (e.g., SPSS and R) and for qualitative analyses.
Group Processes in Organisations (PSYC4016A)
This first-semester module enables students to better understand group dynamics by exposing them to both theoretical concepts and hands-on experience. It looks at various theories of group development and delves into the relationship between group structures and group processes. Basic diagnostic and teamwork techniques are also explored. The module further examines the interconnections between people and institutions. Group work and group presentations form the foundation of this module, with students facilitating workshops on group-related topics throughout the module.
Individual Well-being and Effectiveness at Work (PSYC4019A)
This second-semester module consists of two components, 'Individual Well-being at Work' and 'Individual Effectiveness at Work'. The 'Individual Well-being' component looks at issues related to the psychological health and well-being of individuals in the South African workplace. This component covers issues such as stress, emotion and emotional work, life stages at work, well-being assessment and diagnosis, and person-environment fit. The 'Individual Effectiveness' component deals with issues concerned with an individual's psychological effectiveness in the South African workplace. These include work, job and organisation design, job satisfaction, work motivation, and training and development.
Theoretical Foundations of Organisational Psychology (PSYC4053A)
This second-semester module comprises two interlinked components. The first component introduces students to a range of theories from areas such as clinical psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, organisational behaviour, organisational theory and management science that are relevant to the study and practice of organisational psychology. In the second component, students are required to apply their knowledge of the various theories covered in the first component to understanding different approaches to organisations. In this component the way in which the different theoretical perspectives have shaped organisational assessment, research, practices and interventions are addressed.
APPLICATION FOR STUDY
Places on the full-time organisational psychology honours programme are limited. An intake of approximately 25 students is taken in each year. Thus, acceptance into the programme is competitive and is provisional upon the following criteria:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree with Industrial-organisational Psychology as a major, or a minimum of half of your Psychology major consisting of Organisational Psychology modules;
- Good marks achieved at third year Organisational/Industrial Psychology module level. Please note that while University rules do not allow acceptance of students into the programme whose third year average falls below 65%, attainment of a 65% average is often insufficient to be offered a place due to a high demand for places in the course;
- Principles of diversity.
There are two steps to the application process.
- Firstly, all applicants are required to make an online application through the 91心頭利 central applications site (Student Enrolment Centre: SENC) by following links from the following site: Click Here Those wishing to study part-time should select the part-time option (AHA03/AFAPSYC47). This application requires that you upload an official copy of your academic transcript.
- Secondly, all applicants are required to complete the Psychology Departmental application form (hosted on the RedCap platform), which is available on the Organisational Psychology Honours website. Click here.
BOTH of these application steps are required before any applications will be considered. Failure to complete the Psychology Departmental Form will result in an application not being considered. The final date for completed applications is the 31st of August 2026.
When completing the Psychology Departmental form, if you are unable to complete the application in one sitting, please save your application and return to it later. If you experience a loss of Internet connection, the link can be used to navigate back to your application – responses on the most recent page reached may need to be recaptured.
PLEASE NOTE: Your online application to the University via the Student Enrolment Centre (SENC) is incomplete until you have completed the departmental application form. Both forms are essential.
Application queries can be directed via telephone to Mrs Lauryne Lokothwayo (011 717 4541) or via email selections.psychologyhonours@wits.ac.za
PLEASE NOTE: It is unlikely that you will have heard yet whether you have been accepted into the Organisational Psychology Honours programme before the closing date for applications for financial aid. If you require financial aid, please apply for it if you are accepted into the programme. You must make applications for financial aid separately to the Bursaries and Scholarship Office. Many students accepted into the Honours in Organisational Psychology programme are eligible for the Postgraduate Merit Award (awarded for an average of 75% or above) and we strongly recommend that any potential applicant apply for at least this award. Other sources of funding are also available – please look for these on the Financial Aid and Scholarships Administration website and apply where relevant.
THE SELECTION PROCESS AND EQUITY CRITERIA
Applicant information is collated and assessed for the selection process. Given the large number of applications into the programme, selections are based purely on scrutiny of the documentation supplied. Potential candidates should also note that because of over-subscription many students who meet the faculty minimum criterion for entry into a masters’ degree (65% average for 3rd year level organisational psychology courses) may not be offered a place on the programme. The selection of candidates is based on academic performance as well as consideration of equity, diversity and social redress. The weighting of these aspects is to some extent dependent upon the nature of the applicant pool in any given year. The demographic information requested in the departmental application form is collected in order to serve, in part, as a basis for evaluating applicants’ potential contributions to diversity in the course. This information also assists the selection committee to assess the applicant’s performance relative to levels of (dis)advantage. Note: The information you provide in this application may be independently audited to evaluate its accuracy. Knowingly providing false information will be grounds for permanent exclusion from all postgraduate degrees in Psychology at 91心頭利. Selection is conducted by a small team of Psychology staff who are bound by the graduate selection policy guidelines of the School of Human and Community Development (SHCD).
Based on the application review process, applicants are ranked according to marks and equity criteria. In the case of the Honours in Organisational Psychology course, the top 100 applicants are then shortlisted and will receive a letter from the Department of Psychology ideally by the end of November. Applicants who had not yet completed their third-year organisational psychology modules at the time of application will be emailed in early December and asked to provide their final year marks. Non-91心頭利 candidates will need to upload final year transcripts to their SENC online applications by the 15th of December 2026.
Final selection will take place in early December. Successful candidates will be sent a letter notifying them of a firm offer of a place in the programme by mid-December. Candidates who are waitlisted for places in the course will also receive a letter notifying them of their place on the waitlist and will see a ‘decision pending’ status on their online applications. Waitlisted candidates may be contacted any time between December and February. Those who have been declined places will see a ‘declined’ status.
Please note that given the large number of applicants the department will not be able to provide individual feedback to unsuccessful candidates.
Students who have been offered a place will be asked to notify the department of their availability to take up the place as soon as possible.
ORIENTATION
Students selected into the Honours in Organisational Psychology programme will need to attend an orientation week (usually) in the January of your Honours year (we will notify successful applicants of the date and details). It is compulsory to physically attend orientation and register will be taken.
CONTACT DETAILS FOR HONOURS IN ORGANISATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
General Honours Queries
Mrs Lauryne Lokothwayo
011 717 4541
selections.psychologyhonours@wits.ac.za
TO APPLY
- Click Here to Complete the Departmental Online Application Form
- Click Here to Complete the online University Student Enrolment Centre Application (SENC Form)
- Click Here to Download the Frequently Asked Questions