[Registered Qual & Unit Std Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Public Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
120320  Master of Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0638/26  2026-02-02  2029-02-02 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2030-02-02   2033-02-02  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Public Health is to educate and train researchers in the field of Public Health to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The qualification focuses on the application and integration of a scientific (research-based) and specialised level of knowledge and skills within the field of research. The application of knowledge and skills will take place against the background of responsible ethical and professional Public Health research practices and enable learners to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and applying methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging research problems within the field of Public Health. Learners will conduct research that will result in scientific documents in the form of publishable manuscripts and/or a research dissertation.

The graduates will exit the qualification as knowledgeable, skilled graduates with competence in performing research, being able to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research to a wide range of audiences, and interacting effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise, appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality. Successful graduates of the qualification will become trained researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at a high level.

On completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Reflect critically on theory and its application in practice.
  • Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
  • Make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal.
  • Communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of Public Health.
  • Function as part of a multi-disciplinary team in accordance with good clinical practice and evidence-based research.
  • Apply and integrate a scientific (researched-based) and specialized level of knowledge and skills within the field of research.
  • Evaluate a range of knowledge and scholarly sources and apply it in the required context.
  • Critically reflect on ethical and professional business practices within their area of expertise.
  • Be ethically accountable towards the public health profession, clients, and the community.
  • Contribute to the current knowledge base in their area of expertise by presenting and communicating academic ideas effectively.
  • Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing, and applying methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging research problems within the field of Public Health.
  • Interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
  • Present scientific findings to a research audience with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
  • Conduct and interpret research within the Public Health scope of practice that will be documented as scientific publishable articles and/or a research dissertation idea effectively.
  • Generate work independently and take full responsibility for their work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts.

    The qualification will focus on the development of the ability to critically reflect on and apply scientific skills and knowledge regarding research. In addition, the programme also focuses on attitudes, systematic and creative problem-solving skills, scientific and academic communication skills, as well as on the integration of all these concepts, which will culminate in the production of high-quality research in the form of a dissertation and/or publishable interrelated manuscripts.

    Rationale:
    Public Health is an important field which is significant to ensuring the provision of health care services within the health system. In South Africa, public health is concerned with addressing health problems created by the huge burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases; political, social, and economic injustices, health inequalities and climate change; and developing interventions and policies to ensure efficient and effective provision of quality health care services to all the people living in the country. To address these health challenges, the health system must provide through primary health care optimum health service utilisation, ensure adequate accessibility, allocate sufficient resources and modern technology, and achieve improved health outcomes. To address all the health inequalities and inequities in the country, the South African health system has decided to implement universal health coverage (National Health Insurance-NHI). Critical to the delivery of health services through NHI is the need for critical skills in public health. The need for producing qualified public health graduates is further emphasised within global calls (World Health Organization Strategy for Human Resources for Health and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals) and National Development Plan 2030, National Health Insurance Bill, and other South African Strategies.

    The qualification will respond to these calls to produce adequate and quality public health graduates.

    The qualification serves multiple purposes:
  • To produce qualified human resources for public health that can serve in various roles within the health system to enable them to handle various health needs of populations and health challenges as well as transitioning burden of diseases facing South Africa and Africa.
  • To produce qualified public health experts that will be able to continue with the health professions education through further production of health professionals in academic environments as teachers and researchers.
  • To equip public health professionals already working in the health system or health-related fields with relevant and advanced training to make them more efficient and competent in their respective occupations.
  • To provide public health knowledge and skills to graduates from other disciplines who need to be competent in public health to enable them to discharge their responsibilities more efficiently and effectively.

    Upon completion, public health graduates may work as public health /hospital/clinic managers; health educationists, researchers, clinicians, health advocates, consultants, policy analysts or health advisors, or work alongside other health professionals including social workers and psychologists in diverse populations.

    The qualification will produce knowledgeable, skilled graduates with competence in performing research and understanding of public health concepts, principles, and applications. The graduates will be able to communicate and generate substantial ideas that are the products of research to a range of audiences, interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise, appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality. Graduates will exit as skilled researchers and public health practitioners who are able to contribute to the development of knowledge within the field of Public Health, at a high level, as well as a broader range of public health competencies to ensure a significant impact on the subject field, public health work environment and community. Furthermore, the qualification will create an opportunity for learners to pursue evidence-based research applicable to academia or public health practice.

    The qualification will be facilitated by competent staff who have published a wide range of topics, including health education, health systems, epidemiology of infectious and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health and health research ethics and are members of a wide range of academic bodies including the HPCSA, Public Health Association of South Africa, Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, AMEE and SAAHE. The design of the qualification was informed by the input from these academic bodies. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify.

    RPL for access:
  • Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
  • To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours: Health Promotion, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant Bachelor of Honours Degree in a cognate field, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • A relevant four-year Bachelor's qualification in a cognate field, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices, as well as advanced scholarship or research in public health practice.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge and processes of knowledge production in an area of study or practice.
    3. Demonstrate expertise and critical knowledge in an area at the forefront of public health practice; and the ability to conceptualise new research initiatives and create new knowledge or practice.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of theoretical underpinnings in the management of complex systems to achieve systemic change; and the ability to independently design, sustain and manage change within a system or systems.
    5. Use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and applying methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging research problems within the field of Public Health.
    6. Demonstrate the ability to identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues, and to advance processes of ethical decision-making, including monitoring and evaluation of the consequences of these decisions where appropriate.
    7. Apply evidence-based medicine as a basis for clinical reasoning to conduct research that will be documented as scientific inter-related publishable articles and/or a research dissertation idea effectively.
    8. Contribute to the current knowledge base in their area of expertise by presenting and communicating substantial academic ideas effectively.
    9. Display the ability to work independently and take full responsibility for their work, where accountability, leadership and the initiation of processes are central concepts.
    10. Demonstrate the ability to produce substantial, independent, in-depth, and publishable work which meets international standards are considered to be new or innovative by peers and make a significant contribution to the Public Health practice; and the ability to develop a communication strategy to disseminate and defend research, strategic and policy initiatives and their implementation to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the full resources of academic and professional or occupational discourse. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Appreciate the components of scholarly writing and evaluate its quality.
  • Apply and integrate a scientific (research-based) and specialized level of knowledge and skills within the field of research.
  • Identify a research problem together with a rationale for it is research.
  • Develop and justify research design and methods, including ethical considerations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Evaluate a range of knowledge sources and scholarly texts and apply them in the required context.
  • Apply theories of policymaking and specialist knowledge of the policy process to public health problems.
  • Analyse and critique issues in contemporary South African health policy and the various stakeholders and partnerships formed in the policy process.
  • Engage with debates on current public health policy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Conduct and interpret research within the Public Health scope of practice.
  • Examine the different levels of community-based interactions and interventions in community health programmes.
  • Interpret and analyse the different theories and models of health promotion.
  • Apply theories and models to an existing community health problem when working with communities.
  • Critically analyse various risk factors existing in community health practices to solve the related community health problems.
  • Collaborate with gatekeepers of communities and other important role players within a team approach to enter the field.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Function as part of a multidisciplinary team in accordance with good clinical practice and evidence-based research.
  • Critically engage with the complex and interrelated challenges in the field of public health and identify areas and gaps which could be addressed through critical thinking and appropriate research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Identify, analyse, and deal with complex and/or real-world problems using evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments.
  • Assess, measure, analyse and critique local, national, and global health situations that may have an impact on the health status of communities, groups, and individuals by applying relevant and sustainable solutions based on scientific findings.
  • Integrate knowledge from various sources and relevant to various contexts in terms of a systems approach for sound value creation and decision-making.
  • Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Critically reflect on ethical and professional business practices within their area of expertise.
  • Analyse and evaluate the relationships among leadership, power, ethics, and values at the professional level of public health leadership.
  • Identify the implications of the principles of access and equity in terms of the practical implementation of policies.
  • Apply strategies for effective and ethical discharge of public health practice following the principles of access, equity, and distributive justice.
  • Conduct research in an ethical and scientifically rigorous manner.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Evaluate research, review literature, design and perform a study, collect data, perform statistical analyses on data, interpret results and draw conclusions.
  • Conduct all research with due regard for the moral, legal, and ethical accountability and requirements of the profession.
  • Practice Evidence-Based Public Health by critically evaluating published literature in the field and applying it in practice.
  • Mentor colleagues who are studying or working in the same area.
  • Publish articles and/or a research dissertation that meets the accepted criteria and ethical principles of the institution.
  • Use problem-solving techniques, which draw on her or his multi-faceted knowledge.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Develop other professionals, through public health practice at an advanced level, the application of knowledge.
  • Communicate the knowledge to develop capacity in more junior colleagues in the field.
  • Effectively communicate using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentations.
  • Apply a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to a field, discipline, or practice to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Interact effectively within the professional group with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
  • Apply appropriate strategies for learning that will prepare him or her for continued professional development throughout life, both as a public health practitioner and as a responsible citizen.
  • Acknowledge responsibility for continuing professional development to keep up to date with new developments and meet statutory CPD requirements where relevant.
  • Identify personal limitations and develop the capacity to self-audit and participates in the peer review process, showing a willingness to seek help when necessary.
  • Operate independently and responsibly and apply good systematic resource management and practices in public health research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:
  • Present research findings to a range of audiences using appropriate media or means to disseminate findings.
  • Use academic and professional discourses as a resource to introduce, communicate and expand innovative ideas based on Public Health research and development.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment includes a combination of formative and summative assessment. Assessment is the process of determining the value, significance, or extent of what learners know, understand, and can do with the knowledge they acquired because of their educational experiences. Assessment results are used to document, explain, and improve performance. Assessment can be done at various times throughout a learning programme and a comprehensive assessment plan will include either formative and summative assessment, or alternatively continuous assessment. The point at which the assessment takes place in a programme distinguishes these three types of assessment.

    Formative Assessment:
    Assessment of a master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. All learning outcomes are assessed through formative assessment of work learners submit when writing the drafts of their research proposal, ethical clearance documents, dissertation chapters and ultimately full dissertations. All outcomes are linked to research competencies. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialization.

    Formative assessment measures learners' progress during the learning process to provide ongoing feedback and incremental feedback. It includes a range of formal and informal assessments typically to monitor the progress being made towards achieving learning outcomes and obtaining a semester mark or predicate, i.e., admission to the summative assessment.

    Summative Assessment:
    Summative assessment is regarded as assessment of learning and is distinguished from formative assessment, which is assessment for learning. Summative assessment takes place after the learning has been completed, at the end of a quarter, semester, or year, and provides information and feedback that sums up the teaching and learning process. The intention behind summative assessment is to validate performance and award grades or marks. It entails writing a dissertation. It contains a justifiable argument that is based on research and counts 100% of the achievement mark.

    The title of the dissertation will be submitted to the Faculty Board only on the recommendation of the Faculty Management. On completion of the dissertation and the recommendation of the supervisor(s), the dissertation will be examined by two external assessors and one internal assessor. All Masters' degree dissertations are externally examined, ensuring quality, and providing a level of national and/or international benchmarking.

    Achievement of the outcomes culminates in the production of a high-quality Master's-level conventional research dissertation or a research dissertation containing two interrelated published article/s or publishable manuscripts in which the learner must demonstrate that, under supervision, he/she is able to conduct scientifically sound, theoretically grounded, ethical research in the field of Public Health, and is able to communicate research findings in an academically appropriate manner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The South African qualification was compared to similar qualifications offered by the following countries in terms of outcomes and assessment criteria, the depth and complexity involved in the study process and due regard to notional study time.

    Country: United States of America
    Institution: Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
    Qualification Title: Master of Public Health
    Duration: 11 months full-time or 4 years part-time
    Credits: 80

    Entry Requirements:
  • Candidates must have at least two years of full-time, post-baccalaureate, health-related work experience
    Or
  • A doctoral degree in a field underlying public health.

    Purpose:
    The rigorous curriculum prepares learners to become leading public health professionals capable of addressing current global health problems with multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches. Learners will interact with public health faculty members renowned for teaching, practice, and ongoing research around the world. In this diverse and collaborative learning environment, learners learn as much from each other as they do from their coursework.

    The qualification culminates in a capstone project that applies competencies and skills acquired through the program to a public health problem relevant to a learner's professional goals and interests. Graduates work at a vast array of organizations including health care, consulting firms, the federal government, colleges and universities, local and state health departments, hospitals, NGOs, and many, many more.

    The qualification is designed to:
  • prepare learners to tackle current and emerging global public health problems.
  • provide learners with critical multidisciplinary training to help solve global health problems.
  • equip learners with foundational public health knowledge and competencies.

    Qualification structure:
    Learners are required to complete a core curriculum that comprises approximately 45-50 of the 80 credits required for graduation. Learners have the flexibility to customize the remaining elective credits of their curriculum to their areas of interest to achieve an appropriate balance between depth and breadth.

    Similarities:
  • The American and South African (SA) qualifications require candidates who completed a postgraduate degree in public health or equivalent.
  • Both qualifications will prepare learners to tackle current and emerging global public health problems and provide learners with critical multidisciplinary training to help solve global health problems.
  • Both qualifications will prepare graduates to work at a vast array of organizations including health care, consulting firms, the federal government, colleges and universities, local and state health departments, hospitals, and NGOs.
  • Both qualifications articulate vertically into Doctoral studies in a cognate field.

    Differences:
  • There is a slight difference in the duration of both qualifications since the American qualification takes 11 months full-time while the SA qualification takes one year of full-time study.
  • The American qualification has 80 credit hours whereas the SA qualification carries a weighting of 180 credits.
  • The American qualification consists of both coursework and a mini-dissertation while the SA qualification consists of a full dissertation and no coursework.

    Country: United Kingdom
    Institution: Brunel University
    Qualification Title: Master of Public Health
    Duration: One-year full time

    Entry requirements:
  • A 2:2 (or above) UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification in a subject such as health promotion, public health, allied health, health-related studies, social sciences, biosciences, sport science, and environmental health.

    Qualification structure:
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules.
    Compulsory Modules, 180 Credits:
  • Behaviour Change and Intervention Design, 15 Credits.
  • Epidemiology, 15 Credits.
  • Global Public Health, 15 Credits.
  • Health Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Health Policy, Politics and Social Justice, 15 Credits.
  • Health and Society, 15 Credits.
  • Public Health Leadership, 15 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 15 Credits.
  • Research Project- Dissertation, 60 Credits.

    Similarities:
  • The Brunel University (BU) and the South African (SA) qualifications take one year full-time to complete.
  • Both qualifications require candidates who hold an Honour's degree in public health and/or related fields.
  • Both qualifications carry a weighting of 180 credits.
  • Both the BU and the SA qualifications articulate vertically into the Doctoral degree in a public health and/or related field.

    Differences:
    The BU qualification consists of both coursework and a dissertation while the SA qualification consists of a dissertation and no coursework. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Medicine in Public Health Medicine, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Pharmacy in Public Health Pharmacy and Management, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Public Mental Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Public Nutrition, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Dental Public Health, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Health Systems, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Public Health, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of the Free State 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.