Purpose of the Programme

The programme prepares individuals in attaining scientific knowledge of empowering people to have the ability to manage and improve their health.

The graduating student should be able to:

• Involve population as a whole in promoting health, rather than only focusing on people at risk of specific disease.
• Target individuals, groups and communities in the prevention of diseases affecting them, focusing mainly on behavioural and environmental adaptation.
• Work with people to assess community needs.
• Plan, design, implement and evaluate health promotion programmes in the communities.
• Integrate health promotion activities into primary health care.
• Empower communities to enhance community development and promote health through advocacy, mediation and enablement.
• Promote health and prevent diseases at a primary level, thereby reducing the cost of treatment of diseases at secondary and tertiary levels.
• Facilitate health promotion programmes towards action on the causes or determinants of health to ensure that the total environment which is beyond the control of individuals is conducive to health.
• Combine diverse, but complementary, methods and approaches including communication, education, legislation, fiscal measures, organisational change, community development and spontaneous local activities against health hazards.
• Aim at effective public participation supporting the principle of self-help movements and encouraging the people to find their own ways of managing the health of their community.
• Work in partnership with relevant stakeholders across many professions and sectors, government, non-governmental organisations for the attainment of better health for all.
• Empower people to gain understanding and control over personal, social, community, economic and political forces in order to take action and improve their life situation.

The course embraces social accountability as an underlying philosophy. Health promotion programme is embedded into the community through its practical component.

Delivery Mode

• Full-time contact
• The programme will be delivered in a format that will be accessible to full-time students.
• It will be in the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and self-directed learning.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

• National Senior Certificate (NSC)

Compulsory Subjects

• 4 (50-59%) in English at First Additional language level
• 4 (50-59%) in isiXhosa or any home language
• 3 (40-49%) in Mathematics or
• 4 (50-59) Mathematical Literacy
• 4 (50-59%) in Life Sciences
• 4 (50-59%) in two non Life Orientation subjects

 Minimum statutory NSC requirements for degree entry should be met and all candidates are subject to the selection process.

Matriculation Requirements

• Matriculation Exemption with the following subjects:
  • English E (HG) or D (SG)
  • Biology E (HG) or D (SG)
  • Mathematics E (HG) or D (SG)
• A person above age 23 years with Senior Certificate and Conditional Exemption from SAHE (South African Higher Education).
• Failure to obtain a Mature Age Exemption (MAE) will disqualify a student from registration.

Recognition of Prior Learning

• Applicants with an undergraduate diploma in Health Promotion or Health Education qualifications from recognised institutions are considered after selection.
• Credits for some modules are granted after proper assessments with relevant departments and/or institutions.
• Applicants may be allowed to commence at the second-year level after due consideration as applicable.
• Relevant Professional Certificates will be required including proof of verification by SAQA for the appropriate NQF level where relevant.

Attendance – Theory and Practical

• Students are advised to attend all scheduled lectures, tutorials, practical sessions and seminars.
• All the theoretical and practical sessions are compulsory.

Duration of the Course

• Three years full time.

Admission/Selection Procedure

• A selected number of candidates will be shortlisted for the final selection.
• The closing date for applications will be 30 September each year.

SUMMARY OF COURSES AND CREDITS

• For further details, please refer to the Prospectus.