The Medical Field
The Health Sciences Faculty generally offers degrees in Medicine and the Allied Health Sciences (e.g. Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy, etc.) Different universities may or may not offer specific degrees. All in all there are a wide variety of health science careers.
A typical day of a health sciences student would start at 8am if one were going to lectures or 7am if doing practical work at a clinic or hospital. After finishing with lectures/practical work, students are generally still required to complete tutorials, laboratory practicals, assignments and/or research for their thesis (if applicable).
Some universities offer the degrees as Bachelors of Science or as a Bachelor of (insert title here, eg, Occupational Therapy). Just double check with the university you are applying at, it could differ from university to university.
To make your pick of choosing the right health science career for you – read through the table below.
FYI:
- Subject requirements may differ slightly at each university.
- Associated salary depends on which route you choose to take with your degree, the given associated salary is not completely accurate and is just to give you an idea of what to expect.
BSc in Dietetics
Average starting salary of R16,716.42 a month
Possible Careers:
- Dietitian
- Food Service Manager
- Sports Nutrition
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s by the end of June
- NSC aggregate of 50% minimum
- Mathematics 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Strong recommendation: Afrikaans as a school subject
BSc in Physiotherapy
Average salary of R17,094.92 a month
Possible Careers:
- Physiotherapist
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s by the end of June
- NSC aggregate of 60% minimum
- Mathematics 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Strong recommendation: Afrikaans as a school subject
BSc of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy
An average salary of R15,000 a month
Possible Careers:
- Speech-Language Therapist
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL NBT by the end of June
- NSC aggregate of 60% minimum
- At least TWO of the THREE languages(Home Language or First Additional Language)60%:
- English and/or Afrikaans and/or a third language
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
BSc of Occupational Therapy
Average starting salary of R15,000 a month
Possible Careers:
- Occupational Therapist
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s by the end of June
- NSC aggregate of 50% minimum
- Mathematics 40%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Strong recommendation: Afrikaans as a school subject
MB, ChB
Average starting salary of R40,000 a month (intern)
Possible Careers:
• Independent Medical Practitioner
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s by the end of June
- NSC aggregate of 70% minimum
- Mathematics 50%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Strong recommendation: Afrikaans and English as school subjects
General Dentistry
Average starting salary of R19,385.42 a month
Possible Careers:
• Dentist
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s
- English Home Language or First Additional Language 50%
- Afrikaans or another Home Language or First Additional Language 40%
- Mathematics 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
- Physical Science 50%
Oral Hygiene
Average starting salary of R7,584.17 a month
Possible Careers:
• Oral hygienist, dentist assistant
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s
- English Home Language or First Additional Language 50%
- Afrikaans or another Home Language or First Additional Language 40%
- Mathematics 40% OR Mathematical Literacy 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
Nursing
Average starting salary of R9,939.00 a month
Possible Careers:
- Nurse
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s by the end of June
- English Home Language 50% or English First Additional Language 50%
- Any other language as a first additional language 40%
- Mathematics 50% OR Mathematics Literacy 70%
- Life Sciences 50%
Radiographer
Average starting salary of R13,502 a month
Possible Careers:
- Radiographer
- Radiographer Technologist
- Radiographer Assistant
What you need to do to study this:
- Write AQL and MAT NBT’s
- Mathematics 50%
- Physical Science 50% OR Life Sciences 50%
*Note, the above starting salaries were correct at the time of writing this article. Make sure to vet the above information.
