Master of Public Health at University of Cape Town

Programme overview

The Master of Public Health is a coursework and minor dissertation master's offered by the School of Public Health with specialisations in General, Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Health Economics, Health Systems, Social and Behavioural Sciences and Global Surgery. Candidates register for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of four years.

Faculty: Faculty of Health Sciences | Department: Public Health | Duration: Minimum 12 months, maximum four years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

What you will study

Programmes total 180 NQF credits at level 9 and combine specialisation courses, electives and a public health minor dissertation (60 credits; 90 credits in Health Economics). Students pass a minimum of ten courses and the dissertation (eight courses and the dissertation in Health Economics); the dissertation is assessed against the standard of a publishable journal manuscript.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Master of Public Health (General, Epidemiology, Social and Behavioural Sciences, Health Systems and Global Surgery specialisations): an approved degree in medicine, or in a health profession other than medicine, of at least four years; or an approved honours or equivalent four-year degree. Applicants also need at least a C-grade pass in higher-grade Senior Certificate Mathematics or a recognised equivalent, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Candidates submit evidence of previous academic performance, work history and research output or involvement in research, plus a 500-word typed essay on their reasons for doing the programme and how it will improve their work skills or effectiveness at work. Master of Public Health (Health Economics specialisation): an approved degree in economics, health sciences or social sciences, and an honours or equivalent four-year degree from a recognised university. Applicants also need at least a C-grade pass in higher-grade matriculation Mathematics or a recognised equivalent, and proficiency in written and spoken English. Candidates submit evidence of previous academic performance, work history and research output or involvement in research, plus a 500-word typed essay on their reasons for doing the course and how it will improve their work skills or effectiveness at work.

Requirements published at program group level.

Tuition is charged per module, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

The application fee is R100 for undergraduate and postgraduate applications from South Africa and the SADC region, and R300 for applications from outside the SADC region; it is non-refundable and payable by direct deposit, EFT or credit card (online). UCT students and graduates are exempt except for GSB programmes.

Apply through the official page: https://applyonline.uct.ac.za

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