The HIV Mental Health Research Unit (HIVMHRU) was established in 2014 in response to the growing recognition of the burden of mental health disorders in people living with HIV – including depressive, anxiety, substance use and neurocognitive disorders. The HIVMHRU conducts niche research in the field of neuro-HIV and behavioural HIV in both adolescents and adults. Our guiding principle is to develop an evidence base to extend the provision of effective mental health services to persons living with HIV with a focus on South Africa and other resource-limited settings. The HIVMHRU is proud to invite applications from suitable candidates for the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Behavioural Medicine and Doctorate in Psychiatry (Behavioural Medicine) in 2025.

MASTER OF PHILOSOPHY IN BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE

The Master of Philosophy in Behavioural Medicine is a two-year part-time degree (NQF Level 9). The programme has a unique focus on psychiatric disorders, chronic conditions, and health. It is suited for both professionals and non-professionals from diverse backgrounds, including global health, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, psychiatry, and non-governmental organisations. The purpose of the programme is to provide advanced development and training in research at the intersection of psychiatric disorders and chronic conditions. The programme enables candidates to evaluate interventions and interpret research findings with a critical framework and, more importantly, builds professional capacity in how to develop, assess, and apply behavioural interventions that promote mental and physical health and prevent, manage, and treat multimorbid health challenges faced by people in South Africa and beyond. 

The programme will generate advanced contextual knowledge related to the role of psychosocial factors in health promotion, disease prevention, and management. Crucially, it will develop research and intervention implementation skills informed by a biopsychosocial, patient-centred, evidence-based approach to the prevention and management of mental disorders and chronic conditions.

The programme requires: 

• Participation in monthly seminars (in-person and/or online); 
• The preparation of a dissertation of a minimum of 20 000 words. 

Admission Requirements

The entry requirements for the programme are as follows: 

• Minimum NQF Level 8 qualification (Honours or four-year degree) in a health or social science-related field.  
• For candidates not in possession of an NQF Level 8 qualification, the programme will use recognition of prior learning (RPL) to facilitate access for 10% of applicants. RPL assessments will be conducted using a written research outline and individual interviews to determine prospective candidates’ suitability.  
• Applicants will be required to have demonstrable experience conducting research, with participation in one or more research projects. 
• All applications will be reviewed as part of a formal selection process.  

Selection Process

There are limited placements for this programme, and admission is highly competitive. Selection is primarily based on academic merit and the potential to contribute to the field of Behavioural Medicine in South Africa and beyond. In addition to the application form, we may request that short-listed candidates attend a selection interview.  

The application deadline is 31 October 2024. The outcome of the selection process will be communicated to all applicants by 30 November 2024.

Application Instructions

This section provides instructions for completing the application form. Please read and follow these instructions carefully, as they are not repeated on the application form itself. 

• Please complete the attached application form
• The application form must be completed in full and submitted with all required supporting documents as a single PDF file, with your surname and initial as the file name, to stephan.rabie@uct.ac.za on or before 31 October 2024
• Each completed application form should include the following: 
• Photograph
• Signed declaration (all applications will be subjected to Turnitin) 
• Research proposal (see format in the application form) 
• Details of referees 
• Certified copies of original academic transcripts 
• If you have any questions about the application form or process, please contact Dr Stephan Rabie (stephan.rabie@uct.ac.za)
• Upon selection, students will be asked to complete the online application process through the University of Cape Town’s online portal. Only selected students will be required to complete this step. Successful students will also be given additional information related to fees, registration, financial assistance, and more detailed information about the course. 

Current Availability

DOCTORATE IN PSYCHIATRY (BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE)

A degree by dissertation is available to psychiatrists, psychologists, and other appropriately trained individuals. The degree is offered by the Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, and the research topic is specific to the field of behavioural medicine. Please contact contact Dr Stephan Rabie or Prof John Joska for additional information.