Bachelor of Arts (Health Sciences and Social Services)
(Psychological Counselling) DEGREE CODE – 02313 COU
University of South Africa (UNISA)
This Bachelor Degree equips students with the necessary psychological and social
knowledge, attitudes, skills and applied competence to then be trained as counselors on
postgraduate level in various contexts.
Who is this Degree aimed at?
If you are interested in helping others understand themselves and reach their potential
either individually or in their work place, then consider studying towards this Bachelor of
Arts Degree. This Degree will also appeal to you if you prefer to involve yourself with
psychology and counseling.
What entry requirements will I need to study this Degree?
To be registered as a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts (Health Sciences and Social Services)
(Psychological Counseling) degree you must have satisfied the admission requirements set
out in the myChoice UNISA information brochure. The following is a guide:
1. National Senior Certificate (NSC) with admission to Bachelor’s Degree with 50% in the
language of teaching and learning
2. Senior Certificate with Endorsement/ Exemption with a D symbol on HG or a C symbol
on SG in the language of teaching and learning
If you do not meet the entry requirements you should speak to a student advisor to explore
alternative options through Varsity College.
Please note, requirements for entry to this qualification may change at short notice and the
entry requirements above, apply to 2016 only. Should you be interested in studying towards
a qualification offered by an external partner institution, please check with that institution at
the time of registration to ensure that you meet the entry requirements.
What additional requirements are needed for foreign students?
If you are a foreign student, you must ensure that you have a valid study permit issued in
the name of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) that covers the duration of the
qualification.
How is this Degree structured at Varsity College?
The BA Degree has a curriculum of thirty (30) modules. The curriculum at Varsity College is
structured according to the rules as specified by UNISA.
Varsity College provides tuition for all compulsory modules (except for compulsory on-line
modules). We also offer tuition for certain elective modules.
The Varsity College academic year runs from February to November. The modules are
delivered on a full-time basis with lectures Monday to Friday. You may complete this Degree
in a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 8 years.
Important information about UNISA that you need to know....
1. As a new student you need to apply to UNISA within specified application dates.
UNISA is open for application in August / September (2016 dates are from 17 August
to 30 September 2015).
2. Your application should indicate three qualifications ranked in order of preference
(although you can pursue only one should more than one of your qualifications be
successful). UNISA will inform you whether your application was successful and for
which qualification you have been selected
3. If UNISA offer you a position you must pay a non-refundable acceptance fee of
R1020.00 within ten working days from the date the offer is made to confirm
acceptance of UNISA’s admission offer. Failure to pay the non-refundable
acceptance fee within the stipulated timeframe will result in the space being offered
to another student. Should you proceed with registration, your tuition fee will be
reduced by the amount you paid as your non-refundable acceptance fee. However,
if you accept the offer but ultimately decide not to register, you will forfeit the nonrefundable acceptance fee. Should you not register for the 2016 academic year, you
will be required to re-apply in 2016 for the 2017 academic year and, again, pay the
non-refundable acceptance fee if you are accepted.
4. You also need to register with UNISA within specified registration dates. Application
and registration can be done on-line through the UNISA website. UNISA does not
allow late applications or registrations. Application and registration fees at UNISA
are payable by you the student. The UNISA website address is follows http://www.unisa.ac.za
UNISA will supply you with study guides and tutorial letters.
The UNISA tutorial letters provide one of the ways that your lecturers at UNISA
communicate with you. In some modules, the study guide complements the text book that
you have to buy for the module. In other modules, the study guide is the only study material
for the module and you do not need to buy any further textbooks.
You need to submit assignments to UNISA to gain exam entry. These also count towards
your year mark at UNISA. You write UNISA exams at the UNISA exam centre of your choice.
What must I pass in order to graduate with this Degree?
You need to pass all 30 modules that comprise this UNISA Degree. The pass mark at UNISA
is 50%.
What qualification will I obtain?
You will graduate with the UNISA Bachelor of Arts (Health Sciences and Social Services)
(Psychological Counseling).
Career opportunities: what career areas can I pursue after I have completed this Degree
(this will depend on the majors that you select)?
 Psychology
 Counselling
Websites for you to visit:
http://www.unisa.ac.za
What will I study in this Degree?
The curriculum document for this degree indicates which modules you study in the Degree.
This will be given to you by a Varsity College Student Advisor.
What about timetables?
Our full time programmes are aimed at students wishing to dedicate themselves to full time
face to face studies for the duration of their qualification. This means that students are
expected to be available for classes any time during the day throughout the academic year
depending on how the timetable is structured. Unfortunately, students are not necessarily
able to select a morning or afternoon class to suit their personal circumstances. We
encourage students to take up part-time employment outside of class time. Full-time
students must however, prioritise their studies and avoid committing to work schedules
until timetables and academic calendars are received. Please remember that timetables are
subject to change throughout the year.
Where students are repeating modules, classes for these modules may be offered in the
evenings or on the weekends.
What steps do you need to follow to become a UNISA and Varsity College student?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Make an appointment with a Student Advisor at Varsity College
Apply at Varsity College
Apply at UNISA (Varsity College can assist you with this)
Await an offer of a position from UNISA
Pay the acceptance fee
Register at Varsity College (December/January)
7. Register at UNISA (December/January - you will require you final schooling results to do
this)
8. Join myUNISA (an electronic system allowing you to access your data at UNISA on-line)
9. Start class/lectures (late January/early February)
Varsity College staff are available for career advice. Call your nearest campus to discuss
your career options with one of our Student Advisors.
BAHSSS FS 2016 V1 2015.08.31