Overview

Through dedicated modules on child health, maternal health, and maternal and child nutrition, you will explore:

• Child survival, growth, and development across the life course
• Preventive and promotive child health, including early childhood development, immunisation, and school health
• Nutrition in the first 1,000 days and beyond — from breastfeeding to food systems
• Health systems and policy approaches to improving maternal, newborn, and child health
• Social determinants of health, community engagement, and intersectoral action
• Ethical, rights-based, and culturally sensitive care for mothers and children

Your learning is anchored in the South African context, with global relevance.

You will also complete core public health training in:

• Health systems and society
• Research design and methods
• Biostatistics and health measurement
• Health programme management and leadership

Curriculum

Modules Offered:

Year 1

• Research Methodology (FAHS1690A)
• Introduction to Child Health (PAED5014A)
• Introduction to Health Measurement (COMH5033A)
• Child Health I (PAED5015A)

Year 2

• Child Health II (PAED5016A)
• Maternal Health (PAED5017A)
• Maternal and Child Nutrition (PAED5020A)

and one of the following elective courses:

• Management in Health and Health Services (COMH5032A)
• The District Model in Primary Health Care (COMH5041A)
• Health Care Financing (COMH5017A)
• Project Management for Public Health Practitioners (COMH5015A)
• Developmental Problems in Childhood (PAED5018A)
• Behavioural Problems in Childhood (PAED5019A)
• Health Systems and Decentralisation (COMH5020A)

Core Module Content Summary

YEAR 1

Research Methodology: This module introduces fundamental research methodology concepts, including problem identification, research design, data collection, analysis, and reporting. It covers both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. The course aims to equip learners with the skills to conduct, analyse, and interpret research, ultimately leading to informed decision-making in various fields

Introduction to Child Health: This module aims to provide the theoretical basis which students will use to identify, investigate and manage important child health priorities, as well as a systematic understanding of the evaluation and management of child health programmes.?

Introduction to Health Measurement

Child Health I: This foundational module is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of the major causes of child mortality and morbidity globally and in Southern Africa. The module explores the burden of priority child health conditions, covering their epidemiology, clinical presentation, prevention, and management. 足球竞彩app排名s will learn to apply statistical and epidemiological methods to identify health problems and assets, and to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of child health programmes.

YEAR 2

Child Health II: In this module you will further explore child and adolescent health topics and issues of public health significance for children now and into the future.  The module takes a rights-based approach and is premised on the life-course perspective, already introduced in your earlier modules -Introduction to Child health and Child Health I, completed in year 1 of your PGDip.

Maternal Health: This module explores the health of women across the continuum of care—before and during pregnancy, through childbirth, and into the postnatal period. Using a life-course approach, it traces the health journey of women from adolescence into adulthood, highlighting how early life experiences and exposures influence long-term health outcomes. Adopting an ecological perspective, the course examines both individual-level determinants and broader socio-political influences on health. It emphasizes the critical importance of addressing health inequalities, particularly in the context of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and underscores the need for respectful, high-quality maternity care as a cornerstone of gender equity and improved health outcomes for all women.

Maternal and Child Nutrition: This module provides students with in-depth perspectives on the most critical epidemiological, biological, dietary, cultural, public health, social, economic, and political factors affecting good health and nutrition. The module will analyse how nutrition-and food-related public policies affect health, particularly in vulnerable populations. It will also equip students with an understanding of the design, implementation, and evaluation of global, national, provincial or community programmes and how these can be improved to enhance the nutritional status of a population or high-risk subgroups in the population. 

Entry Requirements

Any of the following may be admitted as a candidate:

i) A graduate of any University who has been awarded one of the following degrees:

• Bachelor of Dental Science;
• Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery;
• Bachelor of Nursing;
• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy;
• Bachelor of Pharmacy;
• Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy;
• Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours;
• Bachelor of Science Honours.

ii) A graduate who has been awarded any other qualification the curriculum of which extends over a minimum of four years of full-time study, of any University, who, in the opinion of the Senate, is sufficiently qualified to undertake the field of study proposed.

iii) Any other person, who has satisfied the Senate, by means of a written or oral test (or both), or by any other mode of assessment to be determined from time to time by the Senate, that s/he is sufficiently qualified to undertake the field of study proposed.

Your application must be accompanied by the following documents:

• Written motivation by the applicant detailing reason for applying for the degree and how the program fits with their overall career goals - Motivation 2025
• Comprehensive Curriculum Vitae including a description of relevant research and work experience
• Two referee reports - Referee report 2025 
• Certified copies of prior qualification(s).
• Original transcripts of qualifications
• Foreign Qualifications:
• Evaluation from SAQA for applicants who graduated from non-South African universities.
• English competency certificate or evidence of prior undergraduate training in English.

Entry into the programme is not automatic. You will have to apply for the Postgraduate Diploma in Child Health programme, and your application is subject to review by a selection panel.

University Application Process

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. The University's Postgraduate Funding portal is a database of scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities available to Wits postgraduate students. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.