Why study psychology after the GED?
South Africa’s renewed focus on mental‑health access, employee wellness and community upliftment has put psychologists and allied practitioners, such as registered counsellors and psychometrists, in short supply. Clinical, educational, industrial‑ and organisational psychologists are in short supply, while counselling services are expanding fastest in the NGO and school sectors.
Entry‑level psychology graduates (e.g., newly‑registered counsellors) typically earn around R80 000–R100 000 per year; while seasoned clinical psychologists in private practice or corporate consulting often surpass R300 000. Salaries grow sharply with additional postgraduate qualifications, scarce‑skill specialisation and private‑sector experience, so this appears to be a profitable industry in which to serve.
Here’s a handy comparison table to see where you can study Psychology with a GED:
Private colleges that accept the GED
| Institution | Main psychology offerings | GED / American Diploma admission pathway |
|---|---|---|
| South African College of Applied Psychology (SACAP) | Higher Cert → BApplied Soc Sci → BPsych & BPsych (Hons) (HPCSA‑accredited counsellor stream). Campuses: CPT, JHB, PTA, DUR & Online | SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (NQF 4) mandatory; applicants aged 24+ may use Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). sacap.edu.za |
| Cornerstone Institute | BA Psychology, BA Honours (BPsych‑equivalent), mixed‑mode delivery. Campus: Cape Town, nationwide online study options | Requires NSC Bachelor or equivalent plus National Benchmark Test; GED/ADHSD holders supply SAQA NQF 4 certificate. cornerstone.ac.za |
| Eduvos (CTI / Midrand Graduate Institute) | BA combinations with Psychology; BA Honours Psychology Campuses: 12 campuses nationwide | Degree entry: SAQA NQF 4 and USAf exemption/SAT scores; Higher Certificate or Access Programme open to GED holders while paperwork is processed. eduvos.com |
| IIE Varsity College | IIE Bachelor of Social Science (majors: Psych & Sociology / Psych & Criminology) + BA Honours Psych | USAf Foreign‑Conditional Exemption plus SAQA evaluation for degree‑level; GED acceptable for Higher‑Certificate bridges. studocu.com varsitycollege.co.za |
| Boston City Campus | Higher Cert in HR Management (psych modules) → degree pathways via partners. Online study | Boston accepts GED for higher certificate (no SAQA) and for degrees with ≥625 combined & ≥155 RLA, USAf handled in‑house; 2025 boston.ac.za |
| St Augustine College | BA (Humanities) with Psychology major; postgrad diplomas, Campus: Woodmead, JHB | Foreign applicants supply SAQA NQF 4 plus (for degrees) a USAf exemption. staugustine.ac.za |
HPCSA‑accredited routes
Only programmes that include a BPsych or BPsych‑equivalent practicum qualify you to sit the Health Professions Council South Africa (HPCSA) board exam for Registered Counsellor or Psychometrist. At present, SACAP and Cornerstone offer these streams. Becoming a psychologist in any of the seven professional categories demands an Honours + HPCSA‑approved Master’s, a 12‑month internship and a board exam.
Road‑map to Study Psychology with a GED
- Apply for a SAQA Certificate of Evaluation (foreign‐school‑leaving certificates → NQF 4). Processing time: 20–30 working days. Find step-by-step instructions here: After the GED
- Secure USAf Foreign‑Conditional Exemption if your chosen degree insists on it (most degrees at Eduvos, Varsity College and many others).
- Bridge, then ladder up: Start with a Higher Certificate if SAQA/USAf paperwork is still pending—credits can transfer into a degree.
- Write the National Benchmark Test (NBT) where required (e.g., Cornerstone; sometimes Varsity College).
- Plan early for post‑grad: Master’s selection is fiercely competitive—maintain high marks, gain research or volunteer hours during undergrad.
Remember: Admission regulations change rapidly when SAQA or USAf update their policies. Always download the latest prospectus and speak to an admissions officer before paying any application fee.
Important
To avoid disappointment, always check the accreditation status of the institute at which you intend to enrol and also check that the course you study has the required accreditation status for the purpose you intend to use it. Contact the institution itself to request registration and accreditation information or contact SAQA – or both! As an example:
In 2024, the Department of Higher Education and Training cancelled the registration of four Educor institutions four institutes of higher education and training because they failed to submit proof of their financial viability to the department: the four institutions were City Varsity (Pty) Ltd, Damelin (Pty) Ltd, Icesa City Campus (Pty) Ltd and Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd.