On this page, we go through all the Medical Schools in South Africa, which offer the ultimate degree that makes you a qualified Medical Doctor in South Africa, which is the MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery). A school is qualified to be called a Medical School if it offers an MBChB degree.
All South African Medical schools have a very strict and not so easy entry requirements for Grade 12 learners. Distinction students with 75% plus, normally find it easy to enter into Medical Schools in South Africa. On top of that, pure Mathematics, Physical Sciences, English and (at times) Life Sciences are the core Grade 12 subjects required to study at South African Medical Schools.
Mathematical Literacy subject is not accepted by any Medical School in South Africa. Pure Mathematics Grade 12 subject is what will make your application relevant for medical courses.
How many Medical Schools are there in South Africa?
For those who do not know, South Africa has a total number of 11 registered and operational Medical Schools, where you can study MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) qualification.
The List of the 10 Medical Schools in South Africa are:
- University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences
- University of the Free State Faculty of Health Sciences
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
- University of Limpopo Medical school
- University of Pretoria School of Medicine
- University of Stellenbosch Faculty of Health Sciences
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences
- Walter Sisulu University Faculty of Health Sciences
- Nelson Mandela University Medical school
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Medical School (SMU)
That being said, the South African Government has approved an edition to the current 10 Medical Schools. The new Medical School will be built at the North West University, and will be operational from 2028 academic year.
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List of 10 Medical Schools in South Africa
Below is a list of the 10 Medical schools in South Africa, together with the subjects requirements or entry requirements for each:
1. University of Cape Town (UCT) – Faculty of Health Sciences
UCT offers an MBChB 6 year degree from its Faulty of Health Sciences. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Subjects Required:
- English HL/FAL: Level 5 (60–69%)
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- Life Sciences: Recommended
- Selection Factors:
- NSC performance (60%)
- NBTs (National Benchmark Tests): 20%
- Personal report/interview: 20%
- Website: www.health.uct.ac.za
UCT does not use the normal APS score like other universities. Instead, they use points system to calculate your marks towards studying a Medical Degree, and other courses.
UCT Faculty of Health, opens applications on 2 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – Faculty of Health Sciences
The Wits university also offers an MBChB 6 year degree from its Faulty of Health Sciences. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- APS: Minimum 43 (Mathematics, English, and Physical Sciences compulsory)
- Subjects Required:
- English HL/FAL: Level 5
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- Additional:
- NBTs required
- Life Orientation not counted
- Website: www.wits.ac.za/health
Wits Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 March 2025 and closes on 30 June 2025.
3. Stellenbosch University – Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University university offers an MBChB 6 year degree from the Faulty of Health of Medicine and Health Sciences. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Programme: MBChB (6 years)
- Minimum APS: Stellenbosch uses its own selection index system.
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 4
- Life Sciences: Strongly recommended
- Other:
- NBTs are compulsory
- Academic and non-academic achievements are considered
- Website: www.maties.com
Stellenbosch Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.
4. University of Pretoria (UP) – School of Medicine
University of Pretoria offers an MBChB 6 year degree from the School of Medicine. UP does not require learners to take a National Benchmark Test to study Medicine. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- APS: Minimum 35, but competitive APS is 42+
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 5
- Life Sciences: Recommended
- Website: www.up.ac.za
University of Pretoria School of Medicine, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 30 June 2025.
5. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine
UKZN offers an MBChB 6 year degree from the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine. UKZN prioritises local students, and also have a a special focus towards the learners from the disadvantage backgrounds for their medical courses. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- APS: Minimum 33, but successful candidates usually have 39–48
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English HL/FAL: Level 5
- Life Sciences: Recommended
- Website: https://scm.ukzn.ac.za/
UKZN Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, opening date to be confirmed, but applications close on 30 June 2025.
6. University of the Free State (UFS) – School of Medicine
UFS offers an MBChB 6 year degree from the School of Medicine. Out of a 100%, 60% comes from your Grade12 final marks, while the other 40% comes from the National Banchmark Tests, which all prospective students for medical studies need to complete. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- APS: Minimum 35, but successful applicants have 40+
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 5
- Website: www.ufs.ac.za
UFS Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 31 May 2025.
7. University of Limpopo – Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of Limpopo (UL) offers an MBChB 6 year degree from the Faulty of Health of Medicine. UL encourages the learners from the rural parts of Limpopo to apply for their medical courses. NBTs are not mandatory. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Programme: MBChB (6 years)
- APS: Minimum 28, but competitive APS is 38+
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 4
- Website: www.ul.ac.za
University of Limpopo Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.
UL Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.
8. Walter Sisulu University (WSU) – Faculty of Health Sciences
WSU offers an MBChB 6 year degree from its Faulty of Health Sciences. Also, rural students are encouraged to apply. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Programme: MBChB (6 years)
- APS: Minimum 30, but most successful students have 38+
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 5
- Website: www.wsu.ac.za
WSU Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 June 2025 and closes on 31 October 2025.
9. Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Medical School
NMU offers an MBChB 6 year degree from its Faulty of Health Sciences. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- NSC English (Home Language or First Additional Language): 60%
- NSC Mathematics: 60%
- NSC Physical Sciences: 60%
- NSC Life Sciences: 60%
- Applicant Score (AS): Minimum of 430
NMU Faculty of Health Sciences, opens applications on 1 April 2025 and closes on 30 June 2025.
9. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
SMU offers an MBChB 6 year degree from its Faulty of Health Sciences. National Benchmark Test is not required for medical studies. To be considered, you need to meet the following requirements:
- Programme: MBChB (6 years)
- APS: Minimum 35, competitive score is 40+
- Subjects Required:
- Mathematics: Level 5
- Physical Sciences: Level 5
- English: Level 5
- Website: www.smu.ac.za
SMU School of Medicine, opens applications on 2 April 2025 and closes on 31 July 2025.
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