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Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

Honours degrees & postgraduate diplomas

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Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health

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Purpose statement

The purpose of this qualification is to enhance the capacity of people working in the health field to practice Public Health in order to improve the health status of the people of South Africa and other developing countries. Successful candidates will provide the skills and expertise to assess, plan, monitor, implement, and manage relevant health programmes at district, regional and provincial levels. The focus of the qualification is on health measurement to enable students to assess the health status of populations, plan appropriate interventions and monitor the outcomes of intervention strategies. Important determinants such as infectious disease, including HIV and Aids and populations trends will be an integral part of the programme. A module on the principles and theory of health research will ensure that students will obtain the skills to provide evidence-based solutions to health priorities.

Qualification code: 90161
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 111554
APS/AS: 60
Maximum time to complete this qualification:  3 years

Admission and re-admission requirements

Qualification admission requirements

Please note:

An appropriate Health profession and Clinical Sciences related qualification at NQF 7 from an accredited provider of higher education. A minimum of 60% or more in the qualification.

Unsuccessful applicants may submit an appeal on the application portal at https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Apply-for-admission-to-study:-application-tool and will be required to provide a motivation for special admission. The motivation must incorporate the following:
* academic motivation offering evidence of your ability to study a postgraduate qualification,
* work experience relevant to the qualification and courses completed since graduating with a Bachelor's degree or Advanced Diploma.

These appeals will only be considered if the enrolment target of the qualification has not been met and/or additional enrolment spaces are available.

Student fees and funding your studies

Application fee

Pay the application fee of R150 once you've received your student number.

Please note:

  • The application fee is only applicable to students who do not have a formal Unisa student number.
    * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes and the Graduate School of Business Leadership are not formal Unisa student numbers. These students will be issued with a formal Unisa student number.
  • The application fee is a once-off fee.
    * You only need to pay the application fee once when you receive your formal Unisa student number. 
  • This application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.
  • Use the 8 digit student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (ie 8 DIGIT STUDENT NUMBER 5370810030). Send your proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za
  • Visit www.unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo for banking details and payment information. International students are advised to make use of the Flywire payment option
  • The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period. Any application submitted without an application fee will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.


Student fees

Click here to find out more about Unisa's student fees, and the bursaries and loans for Unisa students.

Apply for admission

Apply for admission to honours degrees or postgraduate diplomas for the 2026 academic year between 18 August and 10 October 2025


Please note:

Registration

Successful applicants should visit the registration website in January 2026 for updated registration information (eg qualification rules, curriculum/transitional arrangements, pre-requisites and co-requisites): www.unisa.ac.za/register

Curriculum / modules