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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111554  Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  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  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-23  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
79887  Postgraduate Diploma: Public Health  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to equip learner with:
  • the ability to analyse, interpret, and disseminate health information to contribute to the management and operation of health systems.
  • an understanding of health promotion of sexual and reproductive health of populations.
  • an understanding of the principles of research methods and their application in a public health context.

    Rationale:
    The developing world, and Africa in particular, does not only have to cope with communicable diseases (e.g. tuberculosis), which are responsible for the high mortality rates, but it also must cope with major life-threatening conditions, such as the human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, malaria and domestic violence-related diseases ( e.g mental disorders). Globally, the burden of non-communicable diseases (such as mental health problems, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular conditions and hypertension) is increasing and has now become a public health priority. The need for healthcare professionals with advanced skills in measuring and monitoring health, and designing innovative and appropriate intervention strategies in order to improve the health and quality of life of people is evident, and this is even more so in resource constrained environments.

    The high demand of learners for, and the increasing number of registered learners in the currently offered qualification are not only illustrative of the interest in and significance of the programme, but they also validate the need to revise and update this programme in line with dynamic changes in the Public Health field. Currently, approximately 80% of the learners for this qualification are from African countries other than South Africa. Hence, its re-curriculation presents an opportunity to authentically contextualise the learning experience and enhance its relevance for Africa in a creative manner toward the institution's vision of Africanisation. Revising the current qualification further created an opportunity to better align the qualification with open and distance learning principles and approaches, and the teaching philosophy of the institution.

    Changes to the current qualification were made by incorporating non-communicable diseases into an existing module (Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases), integrating and streaming two existing modules on health measurements (Descriptive Health Measurement and Analytic Health Measurement) into one module (Applied Health Statistics), and adding a new module on health systems. The changes made indicate that more than 50% of the original curriculum has been revised, which justifies the submission of this as a new qualification. The development of the new qualification was done through a team-approach that allowed for rigorous consultation with stakeholders (such as public health professionals, prospective employers, present and potential learners), and strategies to promote the quality and credibility of the programme.

    The qualification articulates vertically with the Master of Public Health wherein the full research dissertation is conducted. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Prospective learners who do not meet the formal admission requirements will be able to apply in accordance with the Recognition of Prior Learning policy of the institution.

    Principles:
    The RPL process, being stakeholder and needs-driven, is underpinned by the following principles.

    RPL at the institution undertakes to:
  • Provide affordable access, quality flexible assessment, learner support and feedback to the institution's learners;
  • Empower potential learners by: a) providing access to formal education and training; and b) correctly placing them in formal and non-formal training programmes at levels which will be to their maximum advantage.

    The RPL process:
  • Once assessment has been carried out, and the so-called non-traditional (RPL) learners have been declared competent and ready to enter formal training at a certain level, reasonable learner support opportunities must be made available to enable them to bridge the gap between non-formal and formal learning and thus to succeed at their chosen lifelong learning paths.
  • A variety of learner support processes are made available by the following sections/departments within the institution.
  • Based on the admission requirement of at least two years working experience in a health-related field, the Department requires from the learner of RPL to submit a portfolio of evidence of their working experience. The portfolio is assessed against the outcomes of each of the modules in the qualification. Credits are then awarded for specific modules or specific assignments within in these modules.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor or Advanced Diploma qualification (NQF Level 7) in an appropriate field.
    (Minimum 2 years work experience in a medical-related field e.g. Nursing, Physiotherapy and Medicine). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 8,120 Credits:
  • Introduction to Population Studies and Reproductive Health, 24 Credits.
  • Health System, 24 Credits.
  • Applied Health Statistics, 24 Credits.
  • Epidemiology of Communicable and Non-Communicable Diseases, 24 Credits.
  • Principles and Methods of Health Research, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply various statistical methods and concepts for solving public health problems.
    2. Design prevention and control strategies to reduce the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
    3. Critique health systems, and their health implications among individuals, groups, organisations, communities and environments.
    4. Design a context-specific health research proposal.
    5. Interrogate the processes, approaches, and interventions that identify and address the major health and reproductive needs of populations. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Illustrate application of basic informatics techniques using vital statistics and public health records.
  • Interpret statistical analyses in public health studies.
  • Show written and/or oral presentations of statistical analyses of public health problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Argue the importance of epidemiology for informing scientific, ethical, economic and political discussion of health issues.
  • Analyse case studies and/or scenarios.
  • Demonstrates the ability to develop, implement and evaluate strategies to reduce the burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Illustrate functions of health systems, their degree of effectiveness, and proposal for improvement.
  • Indicate critical analysis of policy change in public health systems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Outline health research problems, purpose and/or objectives, methodology and literature review in the research proposals.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Monitor, critically reflect and act appropriately on reproductive health and population trends relevant to health systems and health service delivery.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Approaches to assessments will be consistent with the academic standards set out in the institution's assessment policy. Formative assessments will be conducted online with developmental feedback (e.g. includes written assignments, and case studies). Summative assessments will be done to assess the achievement of exit level and critical cross-field outcomes in the form of e-portfolios. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The NQF level of this qualification ensures recognition globally as a postgraduate qualification. It is compatible with international qualification frameworks and ensures international comparability of standards on service delivery and public health practice. The qualification is comparable with International qualifications at honours and/or master's level, where the latter includes a research dissertation. The institutions selected for comparison was chosen because of the online mode of offering, similar to the institution under consideration.

    The qualification has been compared to the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours in Public Health from the University of Wolverhampton, Masters of Public Health from the University of Liverpool, and the Masters of Public Health (Online) from the University of Essex, England.

    The Honours in Public Health is a 2 year or 5-6 year part-time Programme, the Masters from the University of Essex is a 2-year programme as is the qualification from the University of Liverpool.

    Purpose:
    The purpose of the Honours qualification from the University of Wolverhampton is to gain knowledge of multi-professional approaches to public health as well as knowledge and skills to effectively plan for and establish a career in a wide range of public health related areas.

    The Masters from the University of Essex purpose is to provide an ideal foundation upon which to develop an effective public health practitioner through understanding of public health in the 21st century.

    The Masters from the University of Liverpool seeks that learners gain knowledge and confidence to successfully lead and manage public health projects. Also, that they acquire core public health skills and knowledge which can immediately be applied to the learner's current role. Learners collaborate with peers from around the world gaining an international public health perspective and will master both quantitative and qualitative research skills.

    Content:
    The content of the Honours qualification from the University of Wolverhampton includes, Human health and the environment, sociology of public health, developing healthy communities, Exploring mental health issues and actions and promoting health, addressing health needs.

    In the Masters of Public Health in the University of Sussex, content covered includes Health promotion, topics in Public Health, Health needs assessments and priority setting, Epidemiology, Advanced practice in Healthcare research methodology and a dissertation.

    At the University of Liverpool Core modules include Epidemiology and Statistics for public health, Health and Society, Health and Improvement, Management of Health Systems, Health inequalities: evidence and policies and introduction to research. The elective modules are Epidermiology and Statistics for Public Health II and Health Protection. Learner also submit a research dissertation. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Health Studies (NQF Level 8).

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health (NQF Level 9). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 South Africa 


    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.