Applications for 2025 now closed
Purpose and Rationale of the Qualification
The Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health - PGDip (Occupational Health) is designed for independent medical practitioners registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) or licensing authority in the country of origin, who are working part-time or full-time in the practice of occupational health or who have an interest in occupational medicine and its interrelatedness to other branches of clinical medicine and disability assessment.
It is established to demonstrate that the holder has achieved a level of competence appropriate to the generalist working in occupational health as required by the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA) in South Africa. It is quite separate from another qualification, of an occupational medicine specialist, which is a registerable specialty with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
The Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health is accredited by the Council on Higher Education, is registered on the NQF (NQF Level 08) and has been offered by the university over the past 30 years (South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) ID: 4593). The programme is fully recognised by the University of Cape Town’s Senate as contained in the Faculty of Health Science’s Handbook 8b Rules and Curricular for Postgraduate Programmes. The PG DOH is also fully recognized by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an additional qualification, thereby fulfilling the requirements for graduate’s designation as an Occupational Medicine Practitioner (OMP).
Admission Requirements
A medical degree (MBChB, MBBCh or equivalent qualification) awarded by this University or another university recognised by the Senate for the purpose.
Occupational health experience is considered an advantage.
Curriculum Outline
The Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health is delivered over 24-months. It offers four integrally linked courses that each have a combined contact block week (3 weeklong in-person contact blocks in Cape Town and 1 weeklong online block) coupled with online quizzes and assignments during the semester. The four courses run in February/March and July/August of Year 1 (PPH4072F & PPH4071S) and Year 2 (PPH4070F & PPH4069W) of the programme. Each course is examined at the end of the semester. Each course needs to be successfully passed to graduate with the PGDOH. The four courses include the following:
| Code | Course | NQF Credits | NQF Level |
|
PPH4072F |
Occupational health risk assessment and management | 20 | 8 |
| PPH4071S | Occupational medicine and work ability | 20 | 8 |
| PPH4070F | Occupational health services management, ethics and legislation | 20 | 8 |
| PPH4069W | Practising integrated occupational health in context | 60 | 8 |
Exit Level Competencies
On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health, candidates should be competent in the four main areas of focus of this programme viz. Occupational health risk assessment and management, Occupational medicine and work ability, Occupational health services management, ethics and legislation; and Practising integrated occupational health in context.
Application Process
Follow this link to apply online: https://publicaccess.uct.ac.za/psc/public/EMPLOYEE/SA/c/NUI_FRAMEWORK.PT_LANDINGPAGE.GBL?LP=UCT_ONLINE_APP_PUBLIC
Be familiar with the Occupational Medicine Division’s Guidelines for Applications as well.
International (non-South African) students – please refer to the UCT IAPO (International Academic Programme Office) for further information about the process. For non-South African students, you will require clearance from IAPO before you will be allowed to register.
How much does it cost?
All information relating to fees, methods of payment and payment schedules is available in the UCT fees handbook.
Please note the additional administration fee payable by students who are non-South African citizens or permanent residents.
More information
Administrative queries after acceptance: Ms Lynne Harper (PG DOH Administrator) | dohadmin@uct.ac.za | +27 21 650 6818
Application and registration queries: Ms Taryn-Lee Safers (Postgraduate Office) | taryn-lee.safers@uct.ac.za | +27 21 406 6028
Academic and programme queries: Dr Itumeleng Ntatamala (Programme convenor) | Itumeleng.ntatamala@uct.ac.za
