Rhodes University Opens 2027 Counselling Psychology Internship With R18,568.90 Monthly Salary

Documents you will need

• Rhodes University requires a complete application.
• Comprehensive curriculum vitae
• Names and contact details of three referees
• Motivation letter
• Certified proof of current registration as a Master’s student in Counselling Psychology
• Certified proof of current registration as a Student Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
• Certified copies of undergraduate qualifications
• Certified copy of South African identity document or passport
• Incomplete applications can be disqualified.
• Applicants should therefore collect the certified documents before beginning the online process rather than assuming they can submit them later.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Rhodes University Counselling Psychology - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Rhodes University is recruiting a Counselling Psychology Intern for 2027, offering a 12-month placement at its Student Counselling Centre with a basic salary of R18,568.90 per month before statutory deductions.

The programme is specifically for candidates who are currently in the first year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at an accredited university and who are registered as Student Psychologists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

The internship is based in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, and applications close on 16 October 2026.

Key Details

• Institution: Rhodes University
• Programme: Internship Counselling Psychologist 2027
• Division: Student Services and Development
• Unit: Student Affairs Student Wellness
• Placement: Student Counselling Centre
• Duration: 12 months
• Location: Makhanda, Eastern Cape
• Basic salary: R18,568.90 per month before statutory deductions
• Annual basic salary: Approximately R222,826.80
• Minimum study requirement: First year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology
• Professional registration: Student Psychologist registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa
• Closing date: 16 October 2026
• Application method: Online
• Contract type: Fixed-term contract

This is a specialist psychology internship

This opportunity is not a general graduate internship for applicants with an undergraduate psychology degree.

Candidates need to be actively completing the first year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at an accredited university.

They must also already be registered as a Student Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Applicants who only hold a Bachelor’s or Honours degree in Psychology should therefore not assume they qualify.

What will the Counselling Psychology Intern do?

The successful candidate will provide counselling and psychological support to Rhodes University students under the guidance and supervision of experienced psychologists.

The internship includes exposure to several areas of psychological practice.

These include:

• Individual psychotherapy
• Couple therapy
• Group therapy
• Family interventions
• Crisis intervention
• HIV pre-test and post-test counselling
• Psychological assessments
• Career assessments
• Psycho-education
• Student wellness initiatives
• Training and development activities

The work is strongly student-focused and requires an interest in the developmental challenges associated with adolescence and early adulthood.

Psychotherapy forms a major part of the programme

Interns will work with students who require psychological support.

Much of the individual psychotherapy is expected to be short-term, although the Centre also provides other forms of counselling depending on student needs.

Exposure can include:

• One-on-one counselling
• Couple therapy
• Therapeutic group work
• Family-related interventions
• Crisis support

This makes the placement particularly relevant to Master’s students looking for practical experience in a university counselling environment.

Psychological assessment is also included

The intern may participate in psychological assessment of students.

This can include:

• General psychological assessment
• Career assessment

Candidates should therefore be comfortable applying assessment knowledge within an ethical and professionally supervised environment.

Who qualifies for the Rhodes University psychology internship?

Applicants must meet two essential requirements.

They must:

• Be currently studying in the first year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology at an accredited university
• Be registered as a Student Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa

Both requirements are important.

Being enrolled for the Master’s programme without the appropriate professional registration is not enough, and Health Professions Council registration without the required academic status would also not meet the stated criteria.

Which skills is Rhodes University looking for?

Candidates should demonstrate:

• Strong evidence-based counselling skills
• Psychotherapeutic ability
• Knowledge of adolescent and early-adult development
• Genuine interest in working with students
• Ethical and professional judgement
• Strong administrative skills
• Good organisational ability
• Effective time management
• Computer literacy
• Ability to use word-processing software
• Ability to use spreadsheets
• Internet proficiency
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal English
• Ability to establish trust quickly
• High levels of self-awareness
• Commitment to professional development
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

The ability to speak isiXhosa is an advantage, but it is not listed as a compulsory requirement.

This application will be judged on far more than academic eligibility. Your motivation letter should connect your supervised training, counselling approach, ethical awareness and interest in student mental health directly to a university counselling environment. Generic statements about “wanting to help people” are unlikely to show the level of professional preparation expected from a Master’s-level psychology intern.

You must be able to respond to emergencies quickly

There is an important practical requirement that applicants should consider before applying.

The Student Counselling Centre provides crisis intervention services, and the successful intern may sometimes be called to assist after normal working hours when a psychological response is required.

The candidate must be able to respond to a crisis within 20 minutes of being contacted.

For this reason, the successful candidate is required to live within 16 kilometres of Rhodes University.

This requirement is especially important for applicants who currently live outside Makhanda.

Do not assume that the internship can be completed remotely or by commuting from a distant town.

How much does the internship pay?

The basic salary is:

R18,568.90 per month before statutory deductions

This works out to approximately:

R222,826.80 per year

The amount is described as a basic salary rather than a stipend.

Applicants should therefore avoid confusing this professional internship with unpaid student placement or a general learnership allowance.

Which documents must applicants prepare?

Rhodes University requires a complete application.

Candidates should prepare:

Incomplete applications can be disqualified.

Applicants should therefore collect the certified documents before beginning the online process rather than assuming they can submit them later.

Pay attention to your three referees

The application asks candidates to provide three referees.

These should be people who can meaningfully comment on your academic, clinical, professional or workplace performance.

Applicants should contact their referees beforehand and make sure they are comfortable being approached.

Use current contact information and avoid listing someone who is unlikely to remember your work clearly.

How to submit your Rhodes University internship application

Candidates who meet the requirements can submit their application through the official Rhodes University online application portal.

Complete all required sections carefully and upload the requested supporting documents.

The application form specifically checks whether candidates:

• Are registered Master’s students in Counselling Psychology
• Are registered Student Psychologists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa

Applicants should answer these screening questions accurately.

Handwritten applications are not accepted.

When do applications close?

Applications close on 16 October 2026.

Rhodes University also indicates that the recruitment process may close earlier if a high number of applications is received.

Eligible candidates should therefore avoid waiting until the final day.

What happens after applications close?

Shortlisted candidates will move into a selection process that may include:

• An assessment
• A presentation
• An interview

The exact selection dates have not yet been confirmed.

Candidates who are shortlisted will be informed of the interview arrangements.

If an applicant is not contacted within 30 days after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.

What employment checks should applicants expect?

Rhodes University may conduct employment and background checks on recommended candidates.

The application process asks candidates for permission to verify information such as:

• Qualifications
• Employment history
• References
• Other relevant information supplied during the application

Candidates should therefore make sure that details in their curriculum vitae, academic documentation and online application are accurate and consistent.

Why this internship could be valuable for Counselling Psychology students

A university counselling centre provides exposure to a distinctive client population.

Students may present with issues involving:

• Academic pressure
• Adjustment to university
• Relationships
• Identity development
• Family challenges
• Career uncertainty
• Emotional distress
• Crisis situations
• Health and wellbeing

The combination of psychotherapy, assessment, psycho-education and crisis intervention can provide broad practical experience during the professional training year.

The setting also gives interns an opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary university environment while receiving guidance from senior psychologists.

Final Thoughts

The Rhodes University Counselling Psychology Internship 2027 is a specialised 12-month professional placement for Master’s students preparing for practice in counselling psychology.

Successful candidates will gain experience across psychotherapy, assessment, student wellness, psycho-education and crisis intervention while earning a basic salary of R18,568.90 per month before statutory deductions.

This opportunity is only suitable for applicants who are currently in their first year of a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology and registered as Student Psychologists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Candidates should prepare all certified documents, confirm their referees and complete the online application before 16 October 2026.

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