Subjects Needed to Become a Doctor in South Africa

On this page, we have gathered all the requirements needed to gain acceptance at various South African Medical Schools. These requirements include subjects required, APS scores, final year marks, as well as other essentials such as NBT, and the demographics of students.

We are focusing on the main qualification – MBChB, which stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, which makes you a Medical Doctor anywhere in the world. At the last section of this page, we provide an overview of level os schooling required to be a Medical Doctor in South Africa.

Let’s start with the generic requirements that are standard across all medical schools -“High Schol Subject Requirements“.

Based on all medical schools in South Africa, the subjects required to study towards becoming a medical doctor in South Africa are the following:

1. Mathematics
2. Physical Sciences
3. Life Sciences
4. English (Home Language or First Additional Language)

In some cases, Mathematics and Physical Sciences can be compulsory, while Life Sciences may be optional or required. But English is always necessary, with a minimum level in either Home Language or First Additional Language.

Life Orientation is not included in the Admission Point Score (APS) calculation, but it is still required by all universities with a minimum pass level of 50% (Level 4).

What are the requirements for each Medical School in South Africa?

Below we have listed various medical schools in South Africa and their requirements. We have also indicated how easy or hard it is to get accepted at each school:

UCT Medical School Admission Requirements

At UCT Medical School, entry is very competitive due to a high APS requirement and strict subject performance requirements in Mathematics and Physical Sciences (70%). Also, limited spaces of 240 first-year medical students per year, make it harder to secure a spot.

Below are the main requirements at UCT Medical School:

• Number of open spaces each year: 240
• Minimum subject requirements:
  • Mathematics and Physical Sciences: 70%
  • English (Home or First Additional Language): 65%
  • Next three best subjects: 70% (excluding Life Orientation)
• Sub-minimum APS: 450
• Selection:
  • National Benchmark Test (NBT) is compulsory
  • Academic performance and NBT results are combined for admission decisions

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Wits University Medical School Admission Requirements

Wits Medical School is another very competitive school to study medicine. This is because Wits Medical School is known internationally and it is in Johannesburg city, where most would like to study and work. Apart from subject requirements, Wits requires you to pass an NBT test if you would like to study medicine there. Let’s look at all the requirements needed to study medicine at Wits:

• NSC Requirements:
  • English Home Language or First Additional Language: Level 5
  • Mathematics: Level 5
  • Life Sciences and/or Physical Sciences: Level 5
• Composite Index (CI) Score:
  • Average of five NSC subjects (60% weighting) and NBT scores (40% weighting)
  • The five subjects considered are:
    • English
    • Mathematics
    • Best of Physical Sciences/Life Sciences
    • Best two other subjects
• National Benchmark Test (NBT):
  • Compulsory for all applicants
  • NBT must be written by 11 August
  • Only the first attempt of the NBT is considered
  • NBT results are valid for three years

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Stellenbosch University Medical School Admission Requirements

Now, Stellenbosch University requires an average of 80% in Grade 11 results and only has 400 spots for medical students. This makes it harder to enter if you are an average student. Below are all the requirements to study towards becoming a medical doctor at SU:

• Grade 11 results:
  • Minimum average of 80% (excluding Life Orientation) in Grade 11
  • NSC results or equivalent are also accepted for applicants who have completed school
• Selection:
  • Applicants ranked based on academic merit
  • Top 150 applicants (SA citizens, permanent residents, or refugees) are selected based on merit
  • Additional selection of Indian and Asian applicants from Western Cape and Northern Cape, and Black African and Coloured applicants from all provinces until 400 applicants are selected
• National Benchmark Test (NBT):
  • Only used for applicants from the School of Tomorrow
  • Average percentage obtained in the NBT will be used for selection in this case

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University of Pretoria Medical School Admission Requirements

University of Pretoria Faculty of Health requires an APS of 35, which can be considered not hard to get. However, admission is still tough due to the high demand and limited space available. Below are all the requirements:

• Minimum NSC/IEB requirements:
  • English Home Language or First Additional Language: Level 5
  • Mathematics: Level 6
  • Physical Sciences: Level 5
• Admission Point Score (APS): Minimum of 35 (Life Orientation is excluded from APS calculation)
• Grade 11 results:
  • Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply using final Grade 11 results
• NSC results:
  • Final NSC or equivalent results required for completed Grade 12 applicants
• Selection process:
  • Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission

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UKZN Medical School Admission Requirements

School of Clinical Medicine requires minimum of 60% in all major subjects and prioritises local applicants. Upgraded results are not accepted and international students are mostly excluded.

• Eligibility:
  • Only South African citizens considered (with the exception of SADC agreement students)
  • Applicants must have written Grade 12 exams during the application year or up to two years previously (no tertiary education undertaken)
• Minimum subject requirements:
  • Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, and English: Minimum of 60% (Level 5) in each subject
  • Aggregate of 65% overall
  • Life Orientation: Minimum pass of Level 4 (50%)
• Selection process:
  • Upgraded NSC results are not accepted
  • A limited number of spaces are reserved for SADC applicants (for countries without medical schools)

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University of the Free State (UFS) Medical School Admission Requirements

The Faculty of Health at the University of Free State requires minimum admission points of 30, and only has 15 spots available each year:

• Minimum Admission Point (AP): 30
• AP calculation:
  • AP is based on four compulsory subjects: English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
  • Best of two additional subjects considered
  • Life Orientation counts only if achieved at Level 5 or higher (1 point added)
• Selection process:
  • Fifteen students selected (including SADC countries)
  • Applications that do not meet the minimum criteria will not be considered

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Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Medical School Admission Requirements

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University has a pre-selection based on Grade 11 results (APS of 35) and uses a quota system based on the demographics of students. Here are more details:

• Pre-selection:
  • Based on final Grade 11 results: Minimum APS of 35
  • Required subjects: English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences (minimum APS of 6 in each)
• Pre-selection criteria:
  • Pre-selected students must maintain their Grade 11 performance in Grade 12
  • If Grade 12 results drop, the pre-selection offer is withdrawn, and the applicant is returned to the general pool
• Quota system:
  • Demographics-based quota system: 80.2% Indigenous Africans, 8.8% Coloureds, 8.5% Whites, 2.5% Indians/Asians
  • Selection considers equity and fairness across demographic groups
• Admission phases:
  • Pre-selection is usually completed by end of November
  • Admission based on Grade 12 results (for those not pre-selected)

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Nelson Mandela University (NMU) Medical School Admission Requirements

NMU Medical School only requires a NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for medical studies, which makes it easy to get into, as compared to other South African medical schools:

• Minimum NSC requirements:
  • NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for:
    • English (home language or first additional language)
    • Mathematics
    • Physical Sciences
    • Life Sciences
  • Minimum Applicant Score (AS): 430
• Grade 11 results:
  • Applicants can apply with final Grade 11 results but must maintain these results in Grade 12
• Conditional offers:
  • Conditional offers based on the aggregate of available results when the Selection Committee meets
  • Final offers are made only once NSC results are confirmed

View all Medical Schools in South Africa Here

Level of Schooling for a Medical Doctor

In this section, we have a simplified overview at the level of schooling required for a Medical Doctor in South Africa.

To become a Medical Doctor in South Africa, you need the following levels of schooling:

1. National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a Bachelor’s pass, including Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences.
2. MBChB Degree: A 6-year medical degree at a recognised university, such as the University of Cape Town, Wits University, or University of Pretoria.
3. Internship: A 2-year compulsory internship at an accredited hospital.
4. Community Service: A 1-year mandatory community service placement in a public health facility.
5. Registration: Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

In total, it takes about 9 years of schooling and training to qualify as a practicing doctor in South Africa.

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