The School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape, South Africa, equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to contribute to transforming the health and welfare sectors in developing countries and improving the health status of populations.

The School of Public Health at the University of the Western Cape offers structured modular postgraduate programmes through e-learning. Students are expected to have access to a digital device (a laptop, or at least a tablet, is a requirement) as well as access to stable internet connectivity as most of the learning is facilitated on the university learning management system and through a series of online webinars.

We have also developed a set of frequently asked questions (FAQS) about the PGD and MPH programmes which we suggest you also take a look at before you proceed with your application

Programmes on offer


STUDENT VOICES


  • I have seen how I have grown from the PGD in Public Health and the MPH year one. Engaging with the Management Strategies module has left me with so many great and useful tools that I will surely use to the maximum. As a future manager, I have started to see more of what the life of a manager entails and that to succeed I need to apply what I have learnt and keeping in mind that one should not only be a manager but a leader as well. That is a manager who leads

    Renda Underwood
    Seychelles (2024 MPH Cohort)
  • I started sleeping more and stopped checking emails during breakfast. Initially, I was rushing through my mornings to get as much done as possible, but I later realized that starting the day with a calm routine made me more productive. I also shifted focus from internal tasks to external community engagement, reflecting my growing leadership role and desire to impact.
    Bakic Malith
    South Sudan (2024 MPH Cohort)
  • The management strategies module has helped me realise the subtle powers I have to influence people's healthier food choices. Because I am responsible for sourcing caterings for our workshops, and we host a lot of workshops! In our last workshop, I had the caterer provide us fruits and nuts as part of our tea break as an alternative to sandwiches and muffins and all the sweet stuff we normally serve. I am sharing with you one of the pictures from the tea break servings. What I hadn't anticipated was how much everyone would appreciate the switch. Before I did this, I would normally make arrangements for just me because I am on a strict no sugar, low carb diet. It hadn't occurred to me that given the choice, people would want to take the healthier route.
    Marelebogile Pooe
    Lesotho (2024 MPH Cohort)
  • The shift from a task-oriented mindset to a more reflective, purpose-driven approach has enriched my daily management practices. These changes have improved my interactions and productivity, equipping me with strategies to better handle daily challenges and remain connected with those around me. This course has instilled in me a deeper sense of purpose, which I aim to sustain and refine as I continue my journey as a manager.  Watching the video on "The 5 Generations in the Workplace" fundamentally changed my perspective on team dynamics. It emphasized the value of recognizing and appreciating the unique contributions of each generation. This has led me to foster an environment where diverse viewpoints are celebrated and leveraged for better team performance. I now actively seek ways to encourage collaboration and communication among all team members, understanding that this diversity enhances creativity and problem-solving.
    Bakhtiaar Banu Parker
    South Africa (2024 MPH Cohort)
  • My background in a conflict-averse environment influenced my mindset, but I began to see conflict differently. Exposure to various perspectives highlighted that constructive conflict could foster collaboration and innovation, aligning with my responsibilities as a leader to guide team discussions and problem-solving. In summary, the conflict profile exercise has helped me make intentional adjustments in managing conflict. I am now more confident in navigating disagreements, seeing them as necessary components of effective leadership and organizational success.
    Laura Muzingwani
    South Africa (2024 MPH Cohort)
  • I was exceedingly pleased to have successfully scanned through the article in merely 15 minutes on my initial attempt. Mastering the skill of reading and understanding articles is essential and a longstanding goal of mine, as I aspire to specialize in health research and publishing. The progress I made on that day instilled in me a sense of being on the correct trajectory, and it motivated me to engage in further reading. Over the subsequent days, I read and practiced seven additional articles. I reasoned that rapidly mastering this skill would significantly streamline my mini-thesis writing process.
    Maclear Masambuka
    Malawi (2024 MPH Cohort)