Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
LEGACY THROUGH IMPACT
ILIFA NGOKUBA NEFUTHE ELILILO
NALATENSKAP AS IMPAK
For 70 years, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences has been a catalyst for health innovation, learning and transformation, serving as a vital asset to South Africa, the continent and the world. We remain committed to excellence, inclusivity and collaboration, advancing impactful research and nurturing future-ready health professionals equipped to thrive in their careers, address complex health challenges and drive positive societal change.
At our core, we are a research-intensive, people-centred faculty that values discovery, compassion and partnership. Our dynamic academic and clinical community is guided by the principles of excellence, equity, respect and accountability. We strive to be agile and responsive, fostering a culture where students, staff and partners work together to expand knowledge, strengthen health systems and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing and advancement of society.
Our values
Our values are the beliefs and attitudes that guide our behaviour (in essence, our ‘action guides’). All of our values are equally important, interconnected and supported by SU’s ethics code.
Our distinguishing features:
Our approach is built on three core pillars that define our commitment to excellence in health sciences education.
- World-class research: We conduct ground-breaking research that addresses the significant health challenges facing Africa and the world.
- Transformative learning: We offer a stimulating environment that encourages critical thinking and innovation.
- Social impact: We are committed to making a positive difference in the lives of our communities.
- Transformation initiatives: We strive to bring to fruition impactful transformation initiatives at our faculty, with all our stakeholders.
Our programmes:
From building a strong foundation through our undergraduate programmes to pursuing advanced specialisation with our postgraduate options, you’ll gain the expertise and practical skills needed to excel in any healthcare environment.
Our undergraduate programmes
Students build a robust foundation in the health sciences, equipping them with the essential knowledge and practical skills needed for a rewarding career. Whether you aspire to practice in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, or speech-language and hearing therapy, our comprehensive curriculum prepares you for success and lifelong learning.
Postgraduate programmes
These offer a pathway for specialisation and advanced training across various health science disciplines. With over 90 different honours, master’s and doctoral options available, these programmes cater to diverse interests and career goals, allowing you to deepen your expertise and contribute to groundbreaking research and clinical practice.
Our departments
Our academic portfolio spans a comprehensive range of disciplines in the health sciences; from clinical specialties and biomedical research to health services education, including the following departments within our faculty:
- Anaesthesiaology and Critical Care
- Biomedical Sciences
- Medicine
- Health Professions Education
- Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology
- Paediatrics and Child Health
- Family and Emergency Medicine
- Global Health
- Pathology
- Psychiatry
- Medical Imaging and Clinical Oncology
- Surgical Sciences
Our transformation journey
As a dynamic entity, we have often led the way in expressing our commitment to transformation. We believe that the facilitation of a journey toward positive transformation represents our espousal of the values presented to us in the South African Constitution. We have built a strong reputation of advancing health and equality over the past few decades, and we will continue to play a leadership role underpinned by our commitment to transformation in this regard.
Our research
Research is the heartbeat that drives every part of our work. At our Biomedical Research Institute (BMRI) and across the faculty in different facilities, teams are tackling the prevention and treatment for diseases like tuberculosis and advancing cardiovascular research, developing new diagnostic tools and therapies that directly improve patient care while in our Department of Health Professions Education, researchers are redefining how future healthcare professionals learn, blending classroom innovation with real-world clinical insights. Our collaborative environment empowers postgraduate researchers to dive into projects on tuberculosis, HIV, neurological disorders and other critical health challenges. By fostering partnerships that encourage hands-on investigation, we create an authentic space where every discovery can potentially transform healthcare outcomes in the future.
Our social impact
Whether through innovative public health initiatives or hands-on training in rural hospitals, we are dedicated to creating, sharing and applying knowledge that transforms lives and strengthens society's overall health. The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is committed to making a real difference by promoting health and advancing health equity. We work hand in hand with local clinics and community health centers to train health professionals who are ready to serve in both urban and rural settings. Our success is built on partnerships with local government, NGOs and community leaders, ensuring that our research and teaching directly address the challenges faced on the ground. For instance, our mobile health clinics and rural training programmes bring vital medical services directly to underserved areas, ensuring that quality care is accessible to everyone.