Welcome to the Department of Dermatology
Our department takes immense pride in delivering world-class medical education that shapes the next generation of clinicians and specialists. Our teaching philosophy blends rigorous academic instruction with hands-on clinical exposure ensuring that every student graduates with both knowledge and confidence to make a lasting impact in patient care.
Excellence in Undergraduate and Postgraduate Dermatology Teaching and Learning
Undergraduate Teaching: Building Clinical Foundations
Dermatology forms an integral part of the MBChB programme, offering students a robust introduction to the science and art of skin medicine.
- Didactic Lectures:
Our team of highly qualified dermatologists delivers comprehensive and engaging lectures to 3rd-, 4th-, and 5th-year MBChB students. Each session is meticulously planned and executed on schedule every academic year, ensuring consistency and academic excellence.
- Clinical Rotations and residency:
During their clinical years, students embark on immersive one-week dermatology rotations in their 3rd and 5th years. These residencies allow students to assess and manage patients with a wide spectrum of dermatologic conditions under expert supervision. The experience offers invaluable experiential learning that bridges classroom theory with real-world practice.
Postgraduate Training: Shaping the Specialists of Tomorrow
Our department proudly offers the prestigious Master of Medicine (MMed) in Dermatology, a four-year specialist degree designed for qualified medical practitioners aspiring to become certified dermatologists. This programme is delivered through a blend of advanced clinical training, academic research, and mentorship, and is aligned with the standards of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA).
Our postgraduate training produces dermatologists of the highest calibre who lead with compassion, precision, and scientific excellence, both locally and internationally.
Specialised Training and Academic Enrichment
Our department prides itself on offering more than just standard medical training. We provide an elite, multidimensional learning experience that blends science, innovation, and artistry. Our registrars are exposed to advanced academic modules, hands-on clinical mastery, and specialised workshops that position them among the best-trained dermatologists in the region.
UFS Dermatopathology Intermediate Module for Registrars
This module stands as one of the department’s flagship training pillars. This rigorous and in-depth course provides registrars with formal training in the microscopic and histopathological diagnosis of skin diseases an essential skill in dermatology.
Dermoscopy Training
Our registrars undergo intensive dermoscopy training a vital component of modern dermatologic practice. These interactive sessions combine theory with live demonstrations, allowing participants to gain first-hand expertise in the use of dermoscopy for accurate skin lesion assessment.
Botulinum Toxin, Hyaluronic Acid, Aesthetic, Surgical and Procedural Dermatology Training
Through strategic collaborations with leading pharmaceutical partners, our department offers specialised procedural dermatology training using model-based simulations with wide range of botulinum toxins and hyaluronic acid fillers that are available in RSA. These high-impact workshops are designed to equip registrars with both scientific insight and technical artistry.
Postgraduate Academic Retreat
Each year, our department hosts an intensive three-day Postgraduate Retreat Week, designed to empower registrars and students to excel academically and clinically. It brings together all staff members for dynamic academic discourse encompassing journal reviews, research presentations, teaching innovations, and exam preparation strategies. Held in collaboration with our pharmaceutical industry partners, the retreat reinforces our vision of excellence, leadership, and innovation, solidifying our department’s reputation as a premier centre for specialist dermatology training in South Africa and beyond.
Engaged Scholarship and Research Impact
Our department embodies the spirit of engaged scholarship by advancing research that informs, empowers, and transforms communities. This is evident from our vast number of public engagements, media collaborations, interdisciplinary collaborations and academic publications.
Our impact extends beyond the clinic and classroom, creating platforms that connect science, media, and society.
More Information
We are proud to host the SA Dermatology Home Page, a website widely used by dermatologists as a communication and professional resource platform. Please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Dermatology for any further information or assistance.