South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) 2025 For African Health Professionals

South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) 2025 For African Health Professionals – The South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) is now accepting applications for the 2025 class, from qualified health professionals with interest in public health and commitment to public service.

Field Epidemiology Training Programmes (FETPs) have been established in many
countries around the world to provide training and develop competencies that are
essential for effective disease detection, investigation, control, and prevention, with
a goal of enhancing the health security of communities. FETP trainees spend minimum
time in the classroom (less than 25% of the training time) and maximum time in the
field, where they develop practical skills to collect, analyze, and use data to address
priority public health issues and inform policy

The South Africa FETP is hosted by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases
(NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS), for the National
Department of Health (NDoH). SAFETP offers a full-time two-year residency
programme, which provides training and practical experience in applied
epidemiology, and aims to develop specialist skills to evaluate and strengthen public
health surveillance systems, investigate and control outbreaks, and conduct field
studies to address public health priority issues.

Training is provided mainly through onthe-job service provision and learning activities. A trainee who successfully completes
the programme is awarded a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Field Epidemiology
from either the University of Pretoria or the University of the Witwatersrand.
The next cohort of trainees will begin in January 2025 and end in December 2026.

Qualified professionals who are interested in joining the cohort should submit their
applications before 01 July 2024. Applicants who are funded by their employers must
ensure that this funding covers their salaries/stipends, as well as university registration
and tuition fees for the two-year training period. Applicants currently working within
the South African government at various levels, who plan to take study leave to
participate in the programme and afterwards return to their workplace, must have
written approval from their departments. A limited number of bursaries/scholarships
may be available for selected applicants fulfilling predefined criteria.

Limited places may be offered to applicants from selected Southern African countries
who meet the entry requirements, and are supported by their governments. Such
applicants must be eligible for the required visa/permit to study in South Africa. The
applicant must also ensure that their employer/government has agreed to fully cover
the costs related to their participation in SAFETP for the 2 years of training – including
salaries/stipends, university registration and tuition fees, living expenses while studying
in South Africa.

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Work experience requirements

• At least 2 years of professional experience in a health field or other fields relevant to health
• Experience of working in a public health system is desirable
• Experience in health-related research will be an advantage

Educational Requirements

• Medical, veterinary or dentistry degree; OR
• Doctorate degree in a medical/health related field; OR
• Master’s degree in a medical or health related field;
  OR
• Honour’s/bachelor’s degree with prior research experience

Other Key requirements

In addition to work and educational requirements, the
applicant must:

• Be registered with their respective professional bodies
• Be fluent in spoken and written English
• Be computer literate and proficient in Microsoft office suite for communication, word processing, analysis, presentation and report generation.
• Knowledge of a statistical package will be an advantage
• Have a valid driver’s license and be willing to drive a hired car
• Provide proof of current physical residential address for future purposes of Domicilium citandi et executandi.

Please note the following additional information regarding educational requirements:

All degrees should be in a human/animal health or public health related field from an accredited university.
A Bachelor of Technology (B-Tech) degree without an additional postgraduate qualification does not fulfill the minimum educational requirements of the University of Pretoria, the University of the Witwatersrand and the SAFETP.
The University of Pretoria is designed to offer a BSC (Hons) Epidemiology and Biostatistics degree in Year 1 and MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics degree in Year 2. Applicants who have already completed an appropriate Honors or Masters degree that includes at least two full courses in epidemiology and two courses in biostatistics qualify to enroll directly into the MSc programme.

How to Apply for South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) 2025

Applying to SAFETP

If you meet the requirements you can complete an online application using this link: click here
You will need the following documents to complete the online application process:
1. Certified copies of qualification certificates
2. Certified copies of transcripts from the universities
3. A concise two-page CV
4. Statement of Purpose: In 500 words or less describe your career goals and your interest in applying for SAFETP residency
5. Two completed reference forms using this link: Reference form
6. Proof of application to each of the universities
7. Qualifications that were obtained outside South Africa must be accredited by the South African
Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
8. Non-South Africans from non-English speaking countries are expected to pass the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) when accepted onto the programme

Applying to the University

In addition to completing the online application to SAFETP, you should also complete applications to BOTH, the University of Pretoria and the University of Witwatersrand, as follows:
University of Pretoria:
Click here to access the UP application page. Select to apply to study BSc (Hons) with specialization in Epidemiology and Biostatistics as your first choice and MSc in Epidemiology and Biostatistics as your second choice. Applicants who already have BSc (Hons) with specialization in Epidemiology should apply for MSc Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

University of the Witwatersrand:
Click here to access the Wits online application page. Select to apply to study Masters of Science in Epidemiology, and then select “Field Epidemiology” as the field of study.
You can also click here to visit the following page to get more details about the Master of Science in Epidemiology degree together with discipline-specific requirements.

Download call for application pdf

For more information: Visit the website for South Africa Field Epidemiology Training Programme (SAFETP) 2025