Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) Course Requirements at SMU
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University · School of Medicine
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) is a bachelor's Degree offered by SMU for 2027 learners, taking 6 years minimum, up to 8 years maximum 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 (MBChB) at SMU
Applicants need the National Senior Certificate with Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English each at a minimum achievement level of 6, one additional subject at level 5, another additional subject at level 4, and Life Orientation at level 5. Admission is highly competitive and offers are often made well above the stated minimum.
About this course
This flagship programme trains students to become fully registered medical doctors, combining pre-clinical science foundations with hospital-based clinical rotations. Competition for places is intense and selection goes well beyond simply meeting the minimum admission score. Graduates register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and typically complete internship and community service before practising independently or pursuing specialist training.
Possible careers
Academic Or Clinical Administrator, General Practitioner, Medical Doctor, Medical Researcher, Specialist Physician Or Surgeon (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 (MBChB)
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 (MBChB).
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.
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- Duration
- 6 years minimum, up to 8 years maximum
- NQF Level
- 8
- APS / Points
- Admission Points (APS) of 38 required (Mathematics 6, Physical Sciences 6, Life Sciences 6, English 6, Additional Subject 1 level 5, Additional Subject 2 level 4, Life Orientation 5, Total 38)
- 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.