There are two schools of thought in learning: either you learn from the best, or you learn best by doing. South Africa is a place where students can do both. As an emerging economy with major centers of development, South Africa allows students to learn from established institutions and apply that knowledge where it is needed most.
This applies to public health as well. South Africa has both urban and rural communities with varying health needs. This makes the country a place not only for theory, but also for practice. Jump-start your learning by going through some of the top schools offering public health programs in South Africa below:
Top Schools Offering Public Health Programs in South Africa
1. University of Witwatersrand
The University of Witwatersrand, also known as Wits University, offers a Master of Public Health that responds to public health needs in South Africa and across the African continent. Its MPH fields include Health Economics, Health Systems and Policy, Maternal and Child Health, Rural Health, Social and Behaviour Change Communication, and Exposure and Health.
The Health Systems and Policy track is best for those pursuing roles in public and non-governmental sectors. The course helps students understand health policy, health care financing, health system planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The Social and Behaviour Change Communication track focuses on designing and implementing social and behavioral change strategies for health and social issues. The Maternal and Child Health track emphasizes the programmatic dimensions of issues affecting women and children, especially in resource-constrained settings. The Rural Health track prepares students to lead health services, work with communities, manage resources, and advocate for rural populations. The Exposure and Health track focuses on occupational and environmental exposures and their potential effects on the health of workforces and communities. Lastly, the Health Economics track develops skills in economic evaluation and microeconomics as applied to health, with attention to the sub-Saharan African context.
Students take core MPH modules, field-specific coursework, Research Methods, and a research report. Study mode and duration vary by field, so applicants should check the current Wits program page before applying.
2. University of the Western Cape
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, Ph.D.
The University of the Western Cape founded its School of Public Health in 1993 to support the establishment of a district health system in a democratic South Africa. The school aims to train policy makers and implementers who are knowledgeable in the principles and practice of public health. Its roster of courses includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, Master of Public Health, and Ph.D. in Public Health. These programs are accessible on a part-time or full-time basis and are offered online.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is a one- to two-year introductory program that teaches students to prioritize population health needs and design, implement, and evaluate context-sensitive public health programs. Key outputs include an ePortfolio submission and other module-specific requirements.
The Master of Public Health is currently offered through coursework and a mini-thesis. It consists of six 15-credit core modules, two 15-credit electives, and a 60-credit mini-thesis. The program helps students diagnose and prioritize health needs in a population, conduct research, and design context-sensitive solutions. Modules may include topics such as Management Strategies for Public Health Services, Qualitative Research Methods, and Micronutrient Malnutrition.
Lastly, the Ph.D. in Public Health is a thesis-only doctorate. Applicants are expected to have completed a master’s qualification and to have research experience and research publications as first or co-authors. Prospective candidates must complete an Expression of Interest form before being invited to apply.
3. University of Pretoria
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, Ph.D.
The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria describes itself as part of the university’s vision of being a leading research-intensive university in Africa. The faculty is recognized by the university for its quality, relevance, and impact, as well as for creating knowledge, developing people, and making a difference locally and globally. It is home to 5,500 undergraduate and 1,500 postgraduate students, including medical and dental fellowship training in more than 40 disciplines.
Students can pursue public health-related study through the PGDip in Public Health (UPOnline), the Master of Public Health, and doctoral study in Public Health. The PGDip in Public Health is a two-year, fully online, part-time program with 120 credits. The MPH has a minimum duration of two years full-time and requires either a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health or equivalent, or equivalent learning with relevant prior study and work experience. Selection is based on factors such as academic merit, public health need, representation, public health-related employment, and track record. The Ph.D. specializing in Public Health is a thesis-based doctorate with 360 credits and a minimum duration of two years.
4. University of Venda
- Study Program
- Degree/s Offered: Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s, Ph.D.
The University of Venda is situated in Thohoyandou in the Vhembe District of Limpopo Province. Its location and community engagement give students opportunities to study public health in rural and community-based contexts. The Department of Public Health offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, Master of Public Health, and Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health. These programs are designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in health promotion, disease control, and prevention locally, regionally, and globally.
Postgraduate diploma students take introductory public health modules such as Introduction to Public Health and Public Health Biology; Health Promotion, Health Education and Communication; Environmental and Occupational Health; Biostatistics and Epidemiology; Health Policy and Management; and Health Systems Research Methods. Master’s students complete core modules in Introduction to Public Health, Research Methodology, and Introduction to Epidemiology, Demography and Biostatistics. They then choose one track from five options: Health Measurement, Health Policy and Management, Occupational and Environmental Health, Health Education and Promotion, and Communicable and Non-communicable Diseases. A mini-dissertation is part of the second year. For the Ph.D. in Public Health, applicants need a Master of Public Health or a health-related master’s qualification with at least one core public health competency at NQF level 9. Final admission is based on the outcome of the concept paper presentation.
5. University of Kwazulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal offers public health study through its Discipline of Public Health Medicine. Its Graduate Programme in Public Health includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health and a Master of Public Health, aiming to produce health professionals who can become change agents in public health.
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is a part-time offering via contact sessions. It carries 128 credits, made up of 96 core credits and 32 elective credits, with no specialization. The diploma can be completed over 24 months. The Master of Public Health carries at least 192 credits, including compulsory modules, electives, and a 96-credit research project. It has no specialization in a particular field. Core and elective topics include Public Health Principles and Practice, Health Measurement, Research Methods and Bioethics, Qualitative Research Methods, Health Systems and Policy, Intermediate Epidemiology, Maternal and Reproductive Health, Health Economics and Financing, Child and Adolescent Health, and Health Service Management.
Hopefully, this article on the top schools offering public health programs in South Africa was helpful and informative. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs for International Students!
