Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum Programme (MBChB-ECP) Course Requirements at SMU
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University · School of Medicine
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum Programme (MBChB-ECP) is a bachelor's Degree offered by SMU for 2027 learners, taking 1-year foundation phase followed by the standard 6-year MBCh to complete. This page covers the Grade 12 subjects and admission score you need to qualify, what the course involves, where you can study it, the careers it leads to, and how to apply.
Grade 12 Required Subjects to study Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum Programme (MBChB-ECP) at SMU
Requirements vary by qualification type: NSC applicants need Physical Science, Life Sciences and Mathematics at level 5, English at level 5, Life Orientation at level 4, and two additional subjects at level 4 each. Alternative routes exist for Senior Certificate holders (an M-score of 10 with at least an E symbol on Higher Grade or D on Standard Grade), National Certificate (Vocational) holders (minimum 60% in core subjects), and NSC holders with a Diploma endorsement (minimum 18 points across six subjects). All applicants must pass medical and physical fitness evaluations.
About this course
This access programme is reserved for South African Black learners from under-resourced (Quintile 1 and 2) schools who have not previously studied at tertiary level and who narrowly missed direct entry into the six-year MBChB. Only 50 places are offered on a competitive basis each year. Students who complete the one-year foundation phase successfully progress into the mainstream MBChB degree.
Possible careers
Academic Or Clinical Lecturer, General Practitioner, Medical Doctor, Medical Researcher, Specialist Physician (After Further Training)
How to apply for 2027 studies
Apply directly through SMU's online e-Student Recruitment Portal (https://www.smu.ac.za/e-student-recruitment-portal/) between 1 April and 31 July of the year before intake; a non-refundable R300 application fee is payable.
Course intelligence for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum Programme (MBChB-ECP)
Data-driven planning insights for this specific course: job market outlook, NSFAS funding, and how competitive admission is likely to be.
Job market outlook
Good sign: Specialist Physician appears on South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand, a Department of Higher Education and Training analysis of employer hiring activity. Employers have been reporting real recruitment pressure for this role, which generally works in your favour once you’ve completed Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Extended Curriculum Programme (MBChB-ECP).
NSFAS funding
As a Bachelor's Degree at SMU, a public institution, this course generally falls within NSFAS’s undergraduate funding scope. Funding is means-tested and not automatic, so confirm your own eligibility at nsfas.org.za before relying on it.
Admission chances
SMU’s intake and this course’s requirements with its published admission requirements generally leave more room than the most sought-after courses, so you likely have a reasonable window to apply without rushing, though applying early is always the safer bet.
These insights are estimates generated from South Africa’s National List of Occupations in High Demand (DHET, November 2023 draft), NSFAS’s published funding rules, and this university’s general applicant demand. They’re planning guidance, not a guarantee. Always confirm funding and admission specifics directly with SMU and NSFAS.
View all Courses at SMU
- Duration
- 1-year foundation phase followed by the standard 6-year MBCh
- NQF Level
- 8
- APS / Points
- Total minimum 32 admission points via the NSC route (Physical Science, Life Sciences, Mathematics and English each at level 5; Life Orientation and two additional subjects at level 4); alternative routes apply for Senior Certificate, NCV or Diploma-endors
- Campus
- Ga-Rankuwa Campus, Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
Related courses
Source: sefako-makgatho-health-sciences-university.json, last verified 2026-08-22. Requirements and fees change. Always confirm current details directly with Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University before applying.