Health Systems Sciences

The Bachelor of Health Sciences in the field of Health Systems Sciences allows you to study public health and the incidence, distribution, and control of diseases.

Overview

The Health Systems Sciences degree covers the factors and processes that contribute to disease outbreak and control. It includes a combined Anatomy and Physiology module to help you to understand the underlying principles of health and disease.

You will also gain a basic understanding of disease epidemiology, leading into courses dealing with public health, primary healthcare and health management and health systems.

You will also gain biostatistics skills to help you to interpret data. These critical skills are in short supply in southern Africa.

An honours programme in Public Health is now available.

Career Opportunities

  • Epidemiology
  • Health Systems Management
  • Public Health

Curriculum

First-year
  • Introduction to Medical Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Health Systems Sciences
  • System Dynamics for Health Sciences
Second-year
  • Applied Anatomy and Physiology
  • Health Systems Sciences
  • Public Health
Third-year
  • Public Health
  • Any one of
    • Health Systems Sciences or
    • Medical and Health Humanities

Entry Requirements

NSC Requirements

English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 5
Life Sciences AND/OR Physical Sciences Level 5

The Faculty of Health Sciences uses a Composite Index (CI) score to guide applicant selection. This includes:

  1. Your matric academic results for five subjects: English, Mathematics, best of Physical Sciences/Life Sciences and the best two other subjects. We consider the percentage achieved, not the symbol. The average of the five subjects carries a 60% weighting.
  2. National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores. The average of the NBT scores carries a 40% weighting.

All applicants must write the NBT at one of the Pencil and Paper, i.e. IN-PERSON NBT sessions. Online NBT results will not be considered.

Click here for the NBT test dates. NBT results are valid for three years and Wits only considers the first attempt of the NBT from the most recent year. Visit www.nbt.ac.za 

The NBT should be written by 18 August.

Applicants applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) and/or Graduate Entry Physiotherapy Programme (GEPP) only, as well as applicants who are in their final year of study towards a Bachelor’s degree, or who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, are not required to write the NBT.

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website 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. 

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.