Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM) Course Requirements at SMU
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University · School of Health Care Sciences
The Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM) is a bachelor's Degree offered by SMU for 2027 learners, taking 4 years 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 Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM) at SMU
Under the older matric grading, applicants need matriculation exemption with Mathematics, Physical Science, Biology and English at a C symbol on Higher Grade or D on Standard Grade. Under the current NSC grading, applicants need Mathematics and Physical Science at level 4, and Life Sciences and English at level 5 as a minimum.
About this course
This degree combines general nursing science with midwifery training, preparing graduates for professional patient-care roles across public and private hospitals, primary health care facilities and corporate health settings. Beyond general practice, graduates can pursue further specialisation in fields such as community health nursing, primary health care nursing, psychiatric nursing, critical care nursing, nursing education, health service management or nursing research.
Possible careers
Community Health Nurse, Critical Care Nurse, Health Service Manager, Midwife, Nurse Educator, Professional/Registered Nurse
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 Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM)
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: Midwife 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 Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM).
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
Meeting the requirements at an admission score of APS 18+ doesn’t guarantee a seat here, demand for this course tends to outstrip the places available, especially closer to the closing date. Apply early rather than waiting until the deadline.
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
- 4 years
- NQF Level
- 8
- APS / Points
- Total Combined APS of 18 minimum (also shown as Mathematics 4, Physical Sciences 4, Life Sciences 4, English 4, Additional Subject 1 level 4, Additional Subject 2 level 3, Life Orientation 3, Total 26 on the subject table)
- 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.