What is Medicine?
Medicine is the field of health and healing. It includes nurses, doctors, and various specialists. It covers diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, medical research, and many other aspects of health.
Universities That Offer Medicine In South Africa
The University of Cape Town
As the oldest university in South Africa the University of Cape Town or UCT is a public university, established in 1829 and located in Cape Town It is one of the colleges in South Africa with a high ranking. US News ranks UCT medical school as 91st in the world (Subject Ranking). Meanwhile, the university sits in the 114th position of Best Global Universities.
As graduates from this school, you will get a great education and practical skills in the field of medicine. The University of Cape Town’s medical school is under the Faculty of Health Sciences. UCT’s Department of Medicine has up to 19 divisions which include Organogram, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Cardiology, Clinical Haematology, Clinical Pharmacology, Endocrinology, Dermatology, etc. To help you study with ease, UCT provides scholarships to students just like most other schools.
The University of the Witwatersrand
Another early university in South Africa is The University of the Witwatersrand or the Wits. Established in 1896 Wits is one of the best universities to study medicine in South Africa. This public research university is located in Johannesburg.
Wits have been ranked by US News as the 135th school in the world for clinical medicine and the 197th best global university. At Wits South Africa, you can get an MB BCh degree the traditional way for six years as well as a graduate degree for four years concurrently. The School of Clinical Medicine is considered one of the most reputable medical schools in South Africa.
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) has been synonymous with excellence in medical and health sciences education and research in South Africa since 1956.
Situated at the feet of Cape Town’s Tygerberg Hills, the school exists with her aspiration to be a vital community of students, learners, teachers, researchers, clinicians and other staff committed to developing future health professionals who, through innovation and leadership will promote health, prevent disease and provide optimal healthcare.
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Founded in 2004 University of KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN is one of the recent public universities in South Africa. It has fast resin to become one of the most reputable universities in South Africa. With a total of 26,000 students comprising both undergraduates and graduates.
Already, the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s school of clinical medicine ranks 279th in the world, according to US News and World Report.
Committed to growing health professionals and researchers who would cater to the health needs of Africans, KwaZulu-Natal or UKZN currently has 29 medical disciplines including Clinical & Professional Practice, Anesthetics, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dermatology, General Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology etc.
The University of Pretoria
Another fast-rising university in South Africa is The University of Pretoria or Tuks. This public university started in 1908. Tuks is a well-attended university in Pretoria, with a student population of over 38,000 students. According to US News Tuks is the 511th in the world.
The other schools in the faculty are the School of Dentistry, Health Care Sciences, and Health Systems & Public Health. Through the University of Pretoria’s School of Medicine, you can take degrees in MBChB, MPharm Med, MPhil (Philosophy and Ethics of mental health), BClinical Medical Practice, etc.
The University of the Free State
One of South Africa’s oldest public universities The University of the Free State or UFS was established in 1904 with a total of 26,000 enrollment students. What is more interesting is that UFS teaches its degree programs in the English language and Afrikaans.
UFS is one of the best colleges in South Africa where you can get a medical degree. UFS offers a wide range of medical programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Some of its programs include Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Family Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Medical Physics.
The University of Limpopo
This public university began operating in 2005 but already records a total student enrollment of over 20,000 undergrads and postgrads. The University of Limpopo is another popular university in South Africa where you can get a medical degree.
The University has no notable global ranking, but its medical degree program is one of the best in South Africa. In Limpopo, just like most of the universities in South Africa, the faculty of Health Sciences houses the School of Medicine departments.
Walter Sisulu University
Walter Sisulu University It is a comprehensive University in South Africa where you can get one of the best medical degrees in Africa. Walter Sisulu University or WSU started in 1977.
This South African university which began offering medicine in 1985 with a traditional program, and then later adopted an innovative curriculum based on problem-based learning and community-based education is one of the best universities in South Africa.
The University of Western Cape
The University of Western Cape or UWC is another old Public University in South Africa. It began its operations in 1959 but got its university status in 1970.
Although the university does not offer a clear-cut path to a medical degree, its faculty of Community and Health Sciences has a School of Natural Medicine
Nelson Mandela University
Nelson Mandela University is another top institution in South Africa that offers value to its students through out its stream of courses and disciplines.
Officially, the university was able to recently launch its medical school under the faculty of Health Sciences.
The country’s tenth medical school opened in March this year to the University’s first ground-breaking class of 50 medical students, who are presently writing examinations.
How much does it cost to study Medicine in SA?
South African Medical School Costs
Tuition fees can range between R50,000 to R80,000 per year, depending on the university. Additionally, scholarships, bursaries, and loans may be available to help cover the costs of medical education.1
What are the requirements to study Medicine in South Africa?
- Students need to have written the National Benchmark Test.
- An aggregate of at least 70% for their National Senior Certificate
- Mathematics, Physical Science, and Life Science at Level 4
- 60% in Home Language
You will spend a total of 6 years at Med school, with 2 years being in-house learning and 4 years of practical work or residency where you may receive remuneration, depending on the medical school you attend and where you do your residency. Students are urged to apply early as med schools often only take a certain number of students per year.
How many years does it take to study medicine in SA?
The six-year training is followed by two years of internship and thereafter a year of community service, subsequent to which you will be eligible for registration as an independent medical practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Is it good to study Medicine in South Africa?
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.