📖Program Curriculum

The Genetic Counselling Masters programme is a two-year, part-time professional Masters degree (NQF level 9). The course is divided into five modules, all of which have to be attended and completed successfully at the University of the Witwatersrand.

First Year:

Medical Genetics for Genetic Counsellors 1 (HUMG7017)
Medical Genetics for Genetic Counsellors 2 (HUMG7018)
Principles of Genetic Counselling (HUMG7019)
Second Year:

Practices of Genetic Counselling (HUMG7020)
Research Report (HUMG7016)
All first modules need to be passed in order to proceed with the second of study.

In addition to the above modules, students will be expected to attend genetic counselling clinics and Division activities during their lecture and clinical rotation blocks. The degree has to be completed within the specified two; modules cannot be carried over into a third.

HPCSA Internship

In order to register as a genetic counsellor with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) graduates will need to complete a full-time two-year internship in an accredited training institute (the University of the Witwatersrand & the National Health Laboratory Service ,or the University of Cape Town or Stellenbosch University).

In order to be registered as a genetic counsellor, a portfolio of evidence (PoE) must be submitted at the end of the internship.

The two (24 months) of internship through the University of the Witwatersrand and the NHLS can be completed in one of two ways:

It may be possible to begin the first of the internship training during the second of the Masters degree. As intern requirements must be completed on a full-time basis, an individual would be required to be present in the Department and at Clinics full-time. Should an individual enter this track, they would be required to see more than the degree-prescribed minimum of 40 second cases.
After the successful completion of the two degree, an individual may enter two of full-time internship training.
It is important to realise that the two internship tracks as described above, are offered at the discretion of the internship training institutes. After consultation with the student and intern coordinator at the end of the first of study, a decision regarding the way forward will be reached. Further details regarding internship training will be provided to students later on.

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🏠 Accommodation

You will need to book the accommodation after you have been accepted.

You can choose to live on campus or off campus in private accommodation.

How to book:
  • Make a booking online after you have been accepted (in this case please let us know your choice when you apply).
  • Register when you arrive - its not possible to reserve a room before arriving. You can arrive a few days before and book it
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💰 Fees

Application Fee:

79 RMB

Tuition fee:

8,120 ZAR per year

16,240 ZAR in total

❓✅❌ Entry Requirements

You are not eligible to apply to this program because:

The minimum age is 18.

English fluency is required.
You need to be either:
- A native English speaker
- Studied in English at high school or a degree
- Have passed IELTS level 6.5 or TOEFL 95 or above.

Minimum education level: Bachelor's.

The program is competitive, you need to have a high grades of Average A, 70%, or a high GPA.

All students from all countries are eligible to apply to this program.

Is this not correct? You can edit your profile or contact us.
Or see the list of programs you are eligible for here .
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📬 Admissions Process

3 Steps to Apply to a University

Application step 1

Application step 2

Application step 3

Please choose the programs here , "You are advised to select 2-3 programs to increase your chances of getting accepted.

Required Documents:

  • Passport
  • Graduation certificate
  • Passport size photo
  • Official transcript
  • Personal statement
  • English certificate (You can take the English test online)
  • Guarantor letter
  • 2 Recommendation letters

Preparing documents:

You can start your application now and send the application documents during your application. Some documents you can send later if you don’t have them right away. Some more info about preparing application documents is here

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Application process:

Applying Online is simple in just a few steps. More information is available here.

The first steps are to choose the programs, pay the application fee and upload the application documents.

Once submitted to Global Admissions, we will review your application within 2-3 days and proceed to the university or ask you for further clarification

After it has been processed to the university you will receive your unique application ID from each university.

The university may contact you directly for further questions.

We will then follow up each week with the university for updates. As soon as there is any update we will let you know. If you have made other plans, decide to withdraw / change address at any time please let us know.

After you have been accepted you will receive your admissions letter electronically and asked to pay the non-refundable deposit to the university.

Once you have paid the deposit the university will issue you the admissions letter and visa form to your home country.

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Here is some more information about the enrollment process after you have been accepted.

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