University Of Cape Town MPH
University Of Cape Town MPH
Welcome to the Master of Public Health (MPH) Programme at UCT
A coursework plus dissertation Master of Public Health (MPH) has been offered in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UCT since 1999, with origins in the early 1990s as an MPhil in Epidemiology. Currently, it is offered as a multidisciplinary Public Health degree and is based on existing strengths at UCT, resulting in an emphasis on epidemiology and biostatistics, health economics, health systems, environmental health, and social & behavioral sciences.
In keeping with the multidisciplinary nature of the field of public health, individuals in our MPH program come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds, including health & health care; sciences & engineering; law; education; and social sciences & humanities. We aim to provide students from these diverse backgrounds with the knowledge and skills to help them contribute towards improving health and health care in South Africa and the region.
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The UCT MPH is an internationally-recognized degree, with our graduates going on to join the public health workforce across South Africa and around the world. In addition, many of our students progress to the Ph.D. program in one of the academic divisions of the School of Public Health and Family Medicine or move outside of UCT to pursue PhDs at leading academic institutions around the world.
The UCT MPH degree requires the completion of coursework modules and a ‘mini-dissertation’. The structure of the degree is highly flexible and allows study on a full-time basis (with coursework completed during 12-18 months) or part-time (with coursework completed over 24-48 months). Currently, we do not offer distance-based learning, and residence in Cape Town is required for the coursework component of the degree.
The following pages contain additional detail on the UCT MPH program. Additional questions may be directed to the Programme Administrator (Ms. Nazlie Farista); the Senior Secretary (Ms Jolene Brooks) and/or Academic Convenor (Prof Landon Myer).
Master of Public Health FAQs
Can I apply to the General Public Health track?
From 2024, admission to general public health courses will be restricted. In order to maximize the chances of admission to the MPH degree, the applicant must have six other majors (Regional Eye Health, Health Economics, Social Behavioral Sciences, Environmental Health, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Health Systems). ) is strongly recommended.
Can I change tracks within the program after I start the MPH?
Yes. Although we do admit students to specific majors within the program, students can change majors at any time. Usually, these changes are made only after the first semester. Course changes require completion of the required coursework and approval by the course and program organizers.
How can I calculate the fees required to complete the degree?
Fees are calculated per semester based on the course modules in which the student is enrolled. There is an additional fee for submitting MPH mini-papers. For international students, there is an additional fee for international students from outside the Southern African Development Community (SADC). For more information on his MPH-specific fees for SADC and non-SADC students, see our latest UCT Fee Guide.
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Does the MPH program offer students opportunities to work while they are studying?
They do not offer formal part-time study opportunities to our program students. However, a wide range of public health-related opportunities are available to students at the university and in Cape Town in general. Most students who wish to gain experience through part-time employment (paid or volunteer-based) while in school then seek relevant employment. The exact content of the job will depend on the individual’s experience, background, and skills. These options are often arranged through the route organizer. In the most common situation, students may work as researchers on existing research projects with university faculty or elsewhere, or with state departments of health or local NGOs.
Is there any form of scholarship or other funding available to help support my MPH studies?
The UCT Postgraduate Funding Office provides information on various funding opportunities for Masters and Doctoral students. For more information, see Postgraduate Degree Funding.
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