PLEASE NOTE: The UCT MPH programme is not a distance learning programme. During the COVID-19 pandemic we have operated courses partially or entirely through remote learning, but we anticipate reverting to classroom teaching for all modules sometime in 2022. Thus, residence in Cape Town is a requirement for the programme as described in the course brochure.
The UCT MPH programme is divided into six "tracks" or specialisations, each with its own convenor and coursework requirements. These are:
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics (Convenor: Professor Landon Myer)
- Health Systems (Convenor: Associate Professor Jill Olivier)
- Social & Behavioural Sciences (Convenor: Associate Professor Lucia Knight)
- Health Economics (Convenor: Dr Lucy Cunnama)
- Community Eye Health (Convenor: Dr Deon Minnies)
- Environmental Health (Convenor: Professor Hanna-Andrea Rother)
The programme brochure provides more detail on each of the tracks and the various requirements. All the tracks require completion of coursework modules, including required and elective modules, and a mini-dissertation that presents the student's own research. Usually the mini-dissertation is based on either primary or secondary analysis or quantitative or qualitative data, or a systematic literature review.
Each coursework module runs over a semester. The scheduling of the modules is intended to facilitate students who are working during the programme. The schedule for most modules consists of an intensive block of teaching over 2.5 days at the beginning of the semester, followed by 8-10 sessions that take place every 1-2 weeks thereafter for the rest of the semester. Each coursework module has a number of assignments completed during the semester as well as a final examination. While coursework modules require attendance at face-to-face teaching sessions, additional course content and discussion is provided through UCT's online teaching platform, VULA.