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
8145  Master of Public Health 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The qualification aims:
  • To provide qualifiers with specialised knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in health sciences that provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
  • To enhance the capacity of people working in the health field to enable them to act as change agents in the health system and promote health and prevent disease.
  • To provide South Africa with significant numbers of postgraduates in health or related sciences in order to ensure that the local leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is widened. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

    Entry requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Public Health Honours, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made;
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community;
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively;
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information;
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and language skills in the modes of oral and written persuasion;
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others;
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation;
  • Reflect on and explore a variety of strategies to learn more effectively;
  • Participate as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities;
  • Be culturally sensitive across a range of social contexts. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Describe the Public Health approaches and their applications in a critical, reflective way and to take effective action in addressing priority problems in Public Health.
  • Pursue advanced academic studies.
  • Engage critically with current Public Health issues.
  • Apply specialised theoretical knowledge in areas of specialisation.
  • Conceptualise, plan, undertake and report on a limited piece of advanced research in Public Health (7500 - 12500 words).

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:
    In this qualification progress in each of the modules is individually monitored and evaluated based on continual assessment in the form of assignments, research projects, and examinations. Classroom work, overall performance, and progress in practice education are treated as a comprehensive whole, so that the assessment and evaluation might be as holistic as possible. Besides the written examination for each of the modules of the qualification, learners should also complete and independent research in the form of a mini-thesis. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health Nutrition, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Medicine in Public Health, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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 Western Cape 


    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.