Where to Study Public Health in South Africa: Best Universities & Career Paths
Public health is a vital field dedicated to improving community well-being, preventing disease, and addressing health inequities. In South Africa, where 1 in 4 adults lives with a chronic condition (Stats SA, 2023) and infectious diseases like HIV affect 7.8 million people (UNAIDS, 2024), skilled public health professionals are in high demand.
Why Study Public Health in South Africa?
South Africa’s health landscape is marked by a dual burden of communicable diseases (e.g., TB, HIV) and non-communicable diseases (e.g., diabetes, hypertension), compounded by socioeconomic disparities. The country has only 1 public health specialist per 100,000 people, far below global benchmarks (SAMRC, 2023). With a 6% annual growth in healthcare jobs (Stats SA, 2024), public health graduates enjoy a 92% employment rate within six months (University of Cape Town, 2023). Salaries range from R400,000 to R1.2 million annually, making this a rewarding career choice.
Best Universities for Studying Public Health in South Africa
South Africa boasts 11 universities offering HPCSA-accredited public health programs. Here’s the top-tier list based on research output, global rankings, and graduate outcomes.
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Programs: Master of Public Health (MPH), PhD in Public Health
- Global Ranking: #167 (QS 2025), #103 in Clinical Medicine (US News 2024)
- Annual Fees: ~R70,000 (MPH, 2025 estimate)
- Acceptance Rate: ~15%
UCT’s School of Public Health, established in the 1990s, is Africa’s premier institution for public health training. It graduates 80–100 MPH students annually, with specializations in epidemiology, health economics, and health systems. Students leverage facilities like the Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, contributing to 1.8 million citations (EduRank, 2024). In 2023, UCT’s MPH alumni filled 20% of senior public health roles in SA’s Western Cape.
Why It’s the Best: World-class research, international recognition, and robust alumni network.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Location: Johannesburg, Gauteng
- Programs: MPH, MSc in Epidemiology, PhD
- Global Ranking: #264 (QS 2025), #135 in Clinical Medicine (US News 2024)
- Annual Fees: ~R65,000
- Acceptance Rate: ~20%
Wits’ School of Public Health trains 150 postgraduate students yearly, offering fields like social behavior change and rural health. Its research, with 900,000 citations (EduRank, 2024), excels in HIV/TB studies and health policy. Partnerships with the National Institute for Occupational Health enhance practical training. In 2023, 85% of Wits MPH graduates secured roles in government or NGOs.
Why It’s the Best: Multidisciplinary focus, urban exposure, and employer prestige.
3. University of Pretoria (UP)
- Location: Pretoria, Gauteng
- Programs: MPH, MSc in Community Health, PhD
- Global Ranking: #323 (QS 2025), #251 in Clinical Medicine (US News 2024)
- Annual Fees: ~R60,000
- Acceptance Rate: ~25%
UP’s School of Health Systems and Public Health enrolls 200 students annually, emphasizing sustainable development and health technology. Research output includes 213,000 citations (EduRank, 2024), with strengths in environmental health and epidemiology. Graduates often join the National Department of Health, with a 90% HPCSA exam pass rate (2023).
Why It’s the Best: Innovative curriculum and strong government ties.
4. Stellenbosch University (SU)
- Location: Stellenbosch, Western Cape
- Programs: MPH, MSc in Health Systems, PhD
- Global Ranking: #283 (QS 2025), #238 in Clinical Medicine (US News 2024)
- Annual Fees: ~R58,000
- Acceptance Rate: ~30%
SU’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences graduates 60–80 MPH students yearly, focusing on rural health and disease prevention. Its Tygerberg campus supports 700,000 citations (EduRank, 2024), excelling in health policy research. In 2023, 75% of graduates entered public sector roles addressing rural disparities.
Why It’s the Best: Rural health expertise and research impact.
5. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Location: Bellville, Western Cape
- Programs: MPH, Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, PhD
- Global Ranking: #601–650 (QS 2025)
- Annual Fees: ~R55,000
- Acceptance Rate: ~35%
UWC’s School of Public Health, a pioneer in distance learning, trains 100–120 students annually. It offers flexible part-time options and focuses on community-based health solutions. Research contributes to broader health sciences, with a strong social justice lens. In 2023, 80% of graduates joined NGOs or academia.
Why It’s the Best: Accessibility, affordability, and practical focus.
Additional Notable Universities
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Location: Durban
- Programs: MPH, PhD
- Fees: ~R57,000
- Highlight: Graduates 50–60 students yearly, excels in maternal and child health.
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Location: Johannesburg
- Programs: MPH, MSc in Public Health
- Fees: ~R60,000
- Highlight: Emerging leader, 40 graduates annually, urban health focus.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate: BSc in health sciences (3 years), 60–70% in Mathematics, Life Sciences; APS 32–38.
Postgraduate (MPH): Relevant bachelor’s degree, 2–3 years’ work experience, English proficiency.
Competition: In 2023, 278,000 NSC candidates competed for ~1,000 public health spots.
Career Paths in Public Health
Public health professionals in South Africa shape policy, research, and community health. Here’s a breakdown with 2025 projections:
Epidemiologist
Role: Study disease patterns, inform public health responses.
Salary: R500,000–R1M/year.
Stat: 300 epidemiologists employed (SAMRC, 2023).
Growth: 7% annually, driven by pandemics.
Health Policy Analyst
Role: Design and evaluate health policies.
Salary: R450,000–R900,000/year.
Stat: 40% work in government (HPCSA, 2023).
Demand: High with National Health Insurance (NHI) rollout.
Public Health Manager
Role: Oversee programs in hospitals or NGOs.
Salary: R600,000–R1.2M/year.
Stat: 500 managers needed by 2030 (DoH, 2024).
Path: MPH + 5 years’ experience.
Community Health Specialist
Role: Implement grassroots health initiatives.
Salary: R400,000–R700,000/year.
Stat: 60% focus on rural areas (HPCSA, 2023).
Trend: Rising rural demand.
Academic Researcher
Role: Teach and conduct public health studies.
Salary: R450,000–R1M/year.
Stat: 25% of PhD holders enter academia (NRF, 2023).
Key Statistics (2025)
Total Public Health Students: ~2,000 enrolled annually (HPCSA estimate).
Graduate Output: 500–600 professionals yearly.
Gender Breakdown: 60% female (HPCSA, 2023).
Research Funding: R600M allocated by NRF (2024).
Rural Shortage: Only 30% of professionals serve rural areas.
Postgraduate Opportunities
MPH: 2 years, ~R120,000 total (full-time).
PhD: 3–5 years, ~R150,000–R200,000 total.
Specializations: Epidemiology, health systems, environmental health.
Challenges & Tips
Challenge: Limited rural posts (<500 nationwide).
Tip: Target rural-focused programs like SU or UWC.
Challenge: High competition (e.g., UCT accepts 100 of 700+ applicants).
Tip: Gain health-related work experience pre-application.
Conclusion: Your Public Health Journey Starts Here
South Africa’s best universities for public health—UCT, Wits, UP, SU, and UWC—offer top-tier education to address pressing health challenges. Whether you aim to fight epidemics, shape policy, or uplift communities, a public health degree (undergraduate BSc or postgraduate MPH) takes 3–5 years to launch your career. With a growing sector and global relevance, now’s the time to choose your path. Research these institutions today and join South Africa’s public health revolution!
