The first step towards pursuing a career in medicine is finding an excellent institution to go to. That’s why, in this blog, we take a look at the top 5 universities to study medicine in South Africa.
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Why Study Medicine in South Africa?
The South African education system has come a long way over the past decade, and there are many top-notch universities that will let you pursue your dreams of having a career in medicine.
With that said, a medical degree is a highly competitive one and studying toward this qualification isn’t easy, which makes dropping out fairly commonplace (as it is with most undergraduate students).
To avoid being a statistic, it’s important for you to decide if medicine really is something you want to do or that you’re passionate about—especially when considering the time, effort and money it takes to get into this field.
If you truly are passionate about getting into medicine, then great! There are several universities in South Africa with outstanding facilities and qualifications available to help you get there.
How Many Years Does it Take to Study Medicine?
A medical degree in South Africa will take you at least 6 years to complete.
Although the study duration depends on your field of study as well as your chosen university – if you’re looking to become a doctor, be prepared to study medicine for up to 6 years before getting your MBChB degree.
The learning doesn’t stop there though, as once you’re done studying you’ll still need to do a 2-year internship and a year of community service.
Once you’re a qualified GP, you may decide to specialise, which means you’ll be back to hitting the books for a couple more years.
The Top 5 Universities to Study Medicine in South Africa
When it comes to studying medicine in South Africa, you really are spoilt for choice—especially since there are so many great universities offering excellent programmes!
Beyond listing the top universities to study medicine, in this blog, you’ll find information on the medical courses on offer, the study duration, tuition fees, the application process and more!
So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the list of the top 5 universities to study medicine in South Africa:
1. University of Cape Town (UCT)
Listed in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings for the subject ‘Medicine’, the Western Cape’s University of Cape Town (UCT) is one of the leading universities in South Africa and offers a 6-year MBChB programme.
The first 3 years are spent completing a Bachelor of Science degree, followed by 3 years of clinical training. UCT also offers a 4-year BSc option for students who already have a relevant degree.
University of Cape Town (UCT) Undergraduate Programmes
The University of Cape Town has a variety of undergraduate programmes available to students who are interested in studying medicine.
With that said, the application process for the undergraduate programmes at UCT is strenuous, and there are a limited number of spaces available each year.
According to the 2023 prospectus, spaces for UCT’s Faculty of Health medical courses are limited to the following intake of candidates for the first-year undergraduate programmes:
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB): 240 candidates
- Bachelor of Science in Audiology (BSC Audiology): 37 candidates
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy (BSC Occupational Therapy): 70 candidates
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (BSC Physiotherapy): 70 candidates
- Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (BSC Speech-Language Pathology): 40 candidates
Apply to the University of Cape Town.
University of Cape Town (UCT) Admission Requirements
If you’re looking to study medicine at UCT, remember to apply early and be sure that you meet the admission requirements set out by the university.
MBChB
- Subject requirements: A minimum of 60% in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and English Home Language or English First Additional Language; and a minimum of 50% in Life Orientation and your other three chosen subjects
- An APS of 450
BSC Physiotherapy
- Subject requirements: A minimum of 50% in all subjects, including Maths, Physical or Life Sciences, English (Home or First Additional Language), three chosen subjects and Life Orientation
- An APS of 360
BSC in Occupational Therapy, Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
- Subject requirements: At least 50% in all subjects, including Physical or Life Sciences, Maths (or 70% for Maths Lit), English (Home or First Additional Language), your three chosen subjects and Life Orientation
- An APS of 340
University of Cape Town (UCT) Tuition Fees
The following tuition fees outline the annual fees for 2022 and are to be used as a guideline for what the cost of studying will be in 2023. The 2023 UCT university fees will be published on the website toward the end of 2022.
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery R93 210 |
Bachelor of Science in Audiology R78 850 |
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy R72 610 |
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy R68 940 |
Bachelor of Science in Speech-Language Pathology R79 540 |
2. University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
The University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in Gauteng is infamous for its highly-reputable School of Clinical Medicine and has been in the top 100 list of top universities on multiple occasions.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Undergraduate Programmes
Wits University has a range of academic programmes available for undergraduate medical students, including:
- Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biokinetics (BHSc Biokinetics)
- Bachelor of Health Sciences in Biomedical Sciences (BHSc Biomedical Sciences)
- Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP)
- Bachelor of Dental Science (BDS)
- Bachelor of Health Sciences in Health Systems Sciences (BHSc Health Systems Sciences)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBcH)
- Bachelor of Nursing (BNurs)
- Bachelor of Sciences in Occupational Therapy (BSc OT)
- Bachelor of Sciences in Oral Health Sciences (BOHSc)
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm)
- Bachelor of Sciences in Physiotherapy (BSc Physiotherapy)
Apply to the University of the Witwatersrand.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Admission Requirements
If you’re eager to study medicine at Wits University, you’ll need to have achieved the following NQF levels for these NSC subjects: English Home Language or First Additional Language; Physical Sciences or Life Sciences; and Mathematics:
- BHSc Biokinetics: Level 5
- BHSc Biomedical Sciences: Level 5
- BCMP: Level 4 (Level 7 for Maths Lit)
- BDS: Level 5
- BHSc Health Systems Sciences: Level 5
- MBBcH: Level 5
- BNurs: Level 4
- BSc (OT): Level 4
- BOHSc: Level 4 (Level 7 for Maths Lit)
- BPharm: Level 5
- BSc (Physiotherapy): Level 5
University of Witwatersrand (Wits) Tuition Fees
The following student fees should be used as a guideline for the average cost of tuition fees at Wits University, and are subject to change.
BHSc: Other R68 580 |
BCMP R61 300 |
BDS R70 400 |
MBBcH R70 350 |
BNurs R43 680 |
BSc (OT) R61 400 |
BOHSc R52 130 |
BPharm R51 140 |
BSc (Physiotherapy) R60 360 |
3. University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) was recently ranked in the top 3 of South Africa’s top universities and has a worldwide reputation for academic excellence.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Undergraduate Programmes
UKZN is known for its School of Health Sciences and students looking to study medicine can apply to any one of the following undergraduate programmes:
- BSc in Audiology
- BSc in Speech-Language Therapy
- Bachelor of Dental Therapy
- BSc in Medical Science: Anatomy
- BSc in Physiology
- MBBcH
- Bachelor of Nursing
- BSc in Occupational Therapy
- BSc in Optometry
- Bachelor of Oral Hygiene
- Bachelor of Pharmacy
- BSc in Physiotherapy
Bachelor of Sport Science
Apply to the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Admission Requirements
Just like all other institutions, UKZN has a list of requirements you need to meet in order to study medicine at the university.
The entry requirements for UKZN are based on your NQF Levels, and you’ll need to achieve the following levels in these subjects: English Home Language or First Additional Language; Physical Sciences or Life Sciences; and Mathematics:
- BSc in Audiology: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Maths, Life Science or Physical Sciences
- BSc in Speech-Language Therapy: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Life or Physical Sciences and Maths
- Bachelor of Dental Therapy: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Life Sciences or Maths
- BSc in Medical Science: Anatomy: Level 4 in English, L.O, Maths and Life Sciences or Physical Sciences
- BSc in Physiology: Level 4 in English, L.O, Maths, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences
- MBBcH: Level 5 in Maths, Physical Science, Life Science and English and Level 4 in L.O (with an overall pass mark of 65%)
- Bachelor of Nursing: Level 4 in English, L.O and Life Sciences and Level 3 in Maths or Maths Lit
- BSc in Occupational Therapy: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Maths, Life Sciences or Physical Sciences
- BSc in Optometry: Level 4 in English, L.O, Mats and Life or Physical Sciences
- Bachelor of Oral Hygiene: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Life Sciences and Maths
- Bachelor of Pharmacy: Level 4 in English, Life Sciences, L.O, Maths and Physical Sciences
- BSc in Physiotherapy: Level 4 in English, L.O, Maths and Life and Physical Sciences
- Bachelor of Sport Science: Level 4 in English and L.O and Level 3 in Maths or Maths Lit
You’ll also need to calculate your APS to see if you meet the requirements. All Health Sciences undergraduate programmes require your APS range to be from 48 and 30, with the exception of a Bachelor of Optometry, where it’s expected to be from 48 to 33.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Tuition Fees
The estimated tuition fees or UKZN can be found in the 2023 Undergraduate Prospectus, which is outlined below:
Health Sciences (pending on course) R40 390 – 58 920 |
MBBcH R58 940 |
4. Stellenbosch University (Maties)
Stellenbosch University is located among the Boland Mountains in the Winelands of the Western Cape. According to the institution’s website, Maties has the highest student success rate in the country.
Stellenbosch University (Maties) Undergraduate Programmes
In terms of medical courses, students are spoiled for choice at Stellenbosch University and can apply to any one of the undergraduate programmes offered by the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
When applying to Stellenbosch University, it’s important to note that the institution has a strict selection process with limited spacing available in its undergraduate programmes. The university will select the following number of candidates for each programme:
- BSc in Dietetics: ± 35 candidates
- BSc in Physiotherapy: ± 55 candidates
- Bachelor of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy: ± 30 candidates
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy: ± 50 candidates
- MBChB: ± 290 candidates
- Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery: ± 50 candidates
Apply to Stellenbosch University.
Stellenbosch University (Maties) Admission Requirements
In order to meet Stellenbosch University’s admission requirements, learners need to be mindful of the following pass mark requirement set out by the institution:
- BSc in Dietetics: A minimum pass mark of 50% overall (excluding L.O) and 50% in Mathematics, Physical or Life Sciences
- BSc in Physiotherapy: A minimum pass mark of 60% overall (excluding L.O) and 50% in Mathematics, Physical or Life Sciences
- Bachelor of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy: A minimum pass mark of 60% overall (excluding L.O); 60% in either English, Afrikaans or South African language; and 50% in Physical Sciences or Life Sciences
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy: A minimum pass mark of 50% overall (excluding L.O), 40% in Maths and 50% in Life Sciences
- MBChB: A minimum pass mark of 70% overall (excluding L.O), 60% in Maths, 50% in Physical Sciences and 50% in Life Sciences
- Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery: A minimum pass mark of 50% overall (excluding L.O); 40% in Maths or 70% in Maths Literacy; and 50% in Life Sciences
Stellenbosch University (Maties) Tuition Fees
The following estimated study fees for Stellenbosch University are a representative sample of how the fee structure may look for the outlined undergraduate programmes and are subject to change.
BSc in Dietetics R56 640 |
BSc in Physiotherapy R56 368 |
Bachelor of Speech-Language and Hearing Therapy R53 033 |
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy R58 440 |
MBChB R74 242 – R78 910 |
Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery R51 311 |
5. University of Pretoria (TUKS)
The University of Pretoria (TUKS) has been ranked in the top 5 universities in South Africa on multiple occasions and is situated in 1 of the 3 capital cities in the country.
University of Pretoria (TUKS) Undergraduate Programmes
The TUKS School of Medicine offers a variety of undergraduate programmes for students and has limited space available to reach one.
The undergraduate programmes and capacity for the medical courses available at TUKS can be viewed below:
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BChD): up to 70 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP): up to 80 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Dietetics (BDietetics): up to 50 students selected annually
- BNurs: 50 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (BOccTher): up to 47 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Oral Hygiene (BOH): up to 25 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhysio): up to 60 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Radiography in Diagnostics (BRad in Diagnostics): up to 60 students selected annually
- Bachelor of Sports Science (BSportsSci): up to 100 students selected annually
- MBChB: 300 students selected annually
Apply to the University of Pretoria.
University of Pretoria (TUKS) Admission Requirements
TUKS uses NQF Levels and an APS to screen applications and has varied subject requirements, which you can view below:
BChD
- NQF Levels: Level 5 in English and Physical Sciences and Level 6 in Mathematics
- An APS of 35
BCMP
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English and Level 5 in Mathematics and Physical Sciences
- An APS of 28
BNurs
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Life Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 28
BOccTher
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 30
BOH
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 25
BPhysio
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 30
BRad in Diagnostics
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 30
BSport Sci
- NQF Levels: Level 4 in English, Physical Sciences and Mathematics
- An APS of 30
MBChB
- NQF Levels: Level 5 in English and Physical Sciences and Level 6 in Mathematics
- An APS of 35
University of Pretoria (TUKS) Tuition Fees
TUKS outlines its estimated tuition fees by faculty with an average cost allocated to each undergraduate first-year programme:
MBChB R64 000 – R74 000 |
BChD R62 000 – R72 000 |
BNurs R40 000 – R62 000 |
BDietetics R41 000 – R48 000 |
BOccTher R56 000 – R76 000 |
BOH R65 000 – R71 000 |
BphysT R52 000 – R61 000 |
BSportSci R60 000 – R69 000 |
BRad R56 000 – R74 000 |
BCMP R58 000 – R67 000 |
Fund Your Medical Degree with Fundi
Now that you know what the top universities are to study medicine at, it’s time to look into funding.
Fundi covers a multitude of educational fees, including everything from tuition costs to accommodation. Take a look at the Fundi Loan Calculator to see if you qualify today!
