Welcome to the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria. As you embark on the path toward becoming a health professional at our institution, you enter a scholarly and professional community defined by excellence, compassion, and transformative impact.
Our Faculty proudly upholds the University of Pretoria’s vision of being a leading research-intensive institution in Africa. We are internationally recognised for the quality, relevance, and impact of our teaching, research, and societal engagement. At the same time, our work remains firmly rooted in making a tangible difference in improving health outcomes locally, nationally, across the African continent, and globally. Our commitment is to educate health professionals who serve with depth of knowledge, skilled practice, and a clear sense of purpose.
Faculty of Health Sciences Dean:Professor Flavia Senkubuge
Our Faculty is home to a vibrant academic community of approximately 5 500 undergraduate and 1 500 postgraduate students, pursuing excellence across more than 40 specialised disciplines. Our students are mentored by 600 dedicated academic staff members distributed across our four prestigious Schools: Dentistry, Healthcare Sciences, Health Systems and Public Health, and Medicine. This rich disciplinary diversity enables collaborative learning and prepares graduates for the complex, interdisciplinary nature of modern health care.
Education within the Faculty takes place at the forefront of healthcare delivery. Through strong partnerships with the Gauteng Department of Health, our students receive clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong Hospital, and Weskoppies Hospital, as well as at Mpumalanga’s Witbank Hospital and within its surrounding communities. These environments provide invaluable exposure to real-world health challenges and ensure that learning is grounded in service and social responsiveness.
We are constantly evolving to meet the needs of our nation. Since 2013, we have increased our medical student intake to address the national call for more doctors. To support this growth, we are expanding our facilities and working toward establishing Tembisa and Mamelodi as premier academic hospitals.
Research is a cornerstone of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our research output continues to grow, fuelled by a commitment to improving health outcomes across South Africa and the continent. With a substantial increase in PhD graduates, postdoctoral fellows and research grants, we provide a robust support system positioning the Faculty as an institution of choice for those aspiring to become impactful health science researchers.
At the core of our mission is a commitment to social responsibility. The teaching, learning, and research endeavours of the Faculty are complemented by the delivery of highly specialised health services to communities who might otherwise have limited access to care. We are privileged to work alongside outstanding scientists, clinicians, and educators who remain deeply committed to public service and to educating future health professionals. Our staff further contribute extensively at national and international levels, serving on ministerial committees, professional councils, and statutory bodies, ensuring that our Faculty remains at the forefront of health policy and practice.
We invite you to join us in this noble pursuit. Together, we will learn, discover, and serve to shape a healthier future for all.