Faculty of Health Sciences
🏥 Health Sciences & Medicine
Health professionals save lives and improve wellbeing. From diagnosing illnesses to rehabilitating patients, this faculty prepares you for careers that combine scientific knowledge with compassionate care.
Degrees & Pathways
Career Paths
Lateral Pathways
Careers that use the same skills in different contexts
Where to Study (Public)
Private Institutions
Career Ideas
Specialist Surgeon
Perform complex surgical procedures in a chosen specialty
Clinical Psychologist
Diagnose and treat mental health conditions
Hospital Administrator
Manage healthcare facilities and operations
Medical Researcher
Conduct clinical trials and advance medical knowledge
Public Health Specialist
Design programmes to improve community health
Sports Physiotherapist
Rehabilitate athletes and prevent sports injuries
Professional Registration
HPCSA — Various Designations
Health Professions Council of SA. Doctors must complete 2 years of internship and 1 year of community service before independent practice. Psychologists require a Masters degree plus 1 year internship. Registration is legally required to diagnose and treat patients.
Applies to: Doctors, dentists, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, radiographers, and other allied health professionals.
SANC — RN
South African Nursing Council. Nurses must complete an accredited nursing programme and pass board exams. Registration categories include professional nurse, enrolled nurse, and nursing assistant. Only registered nurses may administer medications and provide nursing care.
Applies to: All nursing and midwifery graduates.
SAPC — Pharmacist
South African Pharmacy Council. After your BPharm degree, you must complete 1 year of supervised internship and pass the pre-registration exam. Only registered pharmacists may dispense medications.
Applies to: Pharmacy graduates seeking to dispense medications in retail, hospital, or industrial settings.
Not sure which degree path to take?
A registered psychometrist can help — professional assessment, written report, personal debrief.