Master of Public Health

The MPH is offered in the fields of Health Economics, Health Systems and Policy, Maternal and Child Health, Rural Health, Social and Behaviour Change Communication and Exposure and Health.

Overview


In the fields of:

  • Health Economics (MFAHECN60)
  • Health Systems and Policy (MFAHSAP60)
  • Maternal and Child Health (MFAMACH61)
  • Rural Health (MFARURH61)
  • Social and Behaviour Change Communication (MFASBCC61)
  • Exposure and Health (MFAESCI60)

 The above MPH field of studies will all be offered in 2024.

Health Systems and Policy

  • The MPH in the field of Health Systems and Policy provides training and skills primarily to middle and senior managers working in the public and non-governmental sectors and prepares them to deal with the changing policy dynamics and health system challenges of South Africa and the rest of Africa. 

Social and Behaviour Change Communication

  • The MPH in the field of Social and Behaviour Change Communication aims to address the growing need for quality health communication interventions to bring about social and behaviour change in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Maternal and Child Health

  • The MPH in the field of Maternal and Child Health is designed to prepare professionals working in government departments, NGOs, the private sector or academic institutions for leadership positions in the field of Maternal and Child Health.

Rural Health

  • The MPH in the field of Rural Health aims to address the critical need for health care professionals in rural areas to take leadership in supporting and developing the health service in these areas, in designing appropriate health systems and in researching and advocating around the health needs of rural people. 

Occupational Hygiene

  • Field-specific courses are for people who intend to work in occupational health services in the public or private sectors. Students who complete the course will have the theoretical knowledge and skills to practice as occupational hygienists. Applicants must have a four-year qualification from a university or technikon. Being registered with the South African Institute for Occupational Hygiene (SAIOH) at the minimum of the Occupational Hygiene Technologist level will be an added advantage.

Health Economics

  • The field of Health Economics aims to build a critical mass of health economists equipped with skills in applying economic principles to support health policy decision-making in South Africa and the region. This field covers two main areas: economic evaluation and micro-economics as applied to health. Graduates of the MPH Health Economics programme will be trained to undertake health economic evaluation applicable to the sub-Saharan African context; apply economic approaches to inform policy decisions on the efficient allocation of scarce resources; and provide technical advice to policy-makers on the use of economic policy levers to modify health behaviours.

Entry Requirements


  • A bachelor’s degree of at least four years duration in dental science, medicine, surgery, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physiotherapy, Bachelor of Science Honours with a minimum of a 65% average.
  • A Bachelor of Arts or Sciences with honours in psychology or sociology, social work or other field of relevance to public health with a minimum of a 65% average.

You application must be accompanied by the following documents:

  • Written motivation by the applicant detailing reason for applying for the degree and how the program fits with their overall career goals - Motivation
  • Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae including a description of relevant research and work experience
  • Two referee reports - Referee Report
  • Certified copies of prior qualification(s).
  • Original transcripts of qualifications
  • Foreign Qualifications:
    • Evaluation from SAQA for applicants who graduated from non-South African universities.
    • English competency certificate or evidence of prior undergraduate training in English.

Entry into the programme is not automatic. You will have to apply for the MPH programme, and your application is subject to review by a selection panel.

University Application Process


  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding


Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.