The Top 10 Medical Schools in South Africa – 2023
Posted by: Smart || Categories: Guides
After reading this essay, you will consider studying medicine in South Africa in addition to thinking of Zulu when you think of that country. You’ll learn about some of South Africa’s top universities that can make it simple and fashionable for you to realize your goal of becoming a doctor of medicine.
With 11 official languages today, the remarkable “rainbow nation” boasts 13 medical schools (only 10 are featured on this page). Although the University of Cape Town is regarded as having the greatest medical school, the other universities included in this article also provide excellent medical degrees to interested students.
Like any serious country, South Africa’s government places a high priority on healthcare. In order to ensure that South African healthcare is thriving, the government of South Africa is pressing for the required funding. Similar to this, people are voting to increase the number of medical schools in the nation so that qualified medical personnel would be available when needed.
South Africa’s Top 10 Medical Universities (Schools)
- University of Cape Town
- University of Witwatersrand
- Stellenbosch University
- University of KwaZulu Natal
- University of Pretoria
- University of the Free State
- University of Limpopo
- Walter Sisulu University
- University of Western Cape
- Nelson Mandela University
This list is not intended to be a ranking of universities in any way. These institutions are suggested solely for informational purposes and based solely on testimonials.
Let’s now explore the specifics;
1. The University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town, also known as UCT, was founded in 1829 and is a public university in Cape Town. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in South Africa. It is one of the top-ranked colleges in South Africa. UCT’s medical school is ranked 91st in the world by US News (Subject Ranking). The university is now ranked 114th among the Best Global Universities.
You will graduate from this institution with a solid education and useful medical skills. The Faculty of Health Sciences houses the medical school at the University of Cape Town. Organogram, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Cardiology, Clinical Haematology, Clinical Pharmacology, Endocrinology, Dermatology, and other specialties are among the up to 19 departments at the UCT Department of Medicine. Like the majority of other colleges, UCT offers scholarships to students to make it easier for them to study.
2. The University of the Witwatersrand
The University of the Witwatersrand, also known as the Wits, is another historic university in South Africa. One of the top universities in South Africa to study medicine is Wits, which was founded in 1896. The location of this public research university is Johannesburg.
US News has placed Wits as the 197th greatest university in the world and the 135th top school in the world for clinical medicine. At Wits South Africa, you can simultaneously pursue a graduate degree for four years while completing the regular six-year MB BCh program. One of the most reputable medical schools in South Africa is the School of Clinical Medicine. It was founded 100 years ago, and according to the Times Higher Education World Rankings, it is one of the top 100 universities for clinical, preclinical, and health-related topics. It consists of a number of schools, such as Clinical Medicine, Anatomical Sciences, Oral Health Sciences, Public Health, and others. The students get the chance to gain real-world experience at a number of clinics and five large hospitals. More than 25 000 graduates are working to improve healthcare systems in various nations today.
3. Stellenbosch University
Since 1956, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) at Stellenbosch University has been known for its superior medical and health sciences instruction and research.
The school, which is located at the base of the Tygerberg Hills in Cape Town, was established with the goal of creating a vital community of students, teachers, researchers, clinicians, and other staff members who are dedicated to training future health professionals who, through innovation and leadership, will promote health, prevent disease, and offer the best possible healthcare.
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of KwaZulu-Natal, also known as UKZN, was established in 2004 and is one of South Africa’s newest public universities. It has quickly risen to prominence as one of South Africa’s top colleges. With 26,000 total students, including both undergraduate and graduate students. The clinical medicine program at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is currently ranked 279th in the world by US News and World Report.
KwaZulu-Natal, also known as UKZN, is dedicated to developing medical specialists and researchers who can meet the needs of Africans in terms of health. At present, 29 medical specialties are offered there, including Clinical & Professional Practice, Anesthetics, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dermatology, General Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology, and others.
5. The University of Pretoria
The University of Pretoria, also known as Tuks, is another rapidly expanding university in South Africa. In 1908, this public university was founded. With more than 38,000 students, Tuks is a well-known institution in Pretoria. Tuks is ranked 511th in the world by US News. The School of Dentistry, Health Care Sciences, and Health Systems & Public Health are the other schools on the faculty. You can pursue degrees in MBChB, MPharm Med, MPhil (Philosophy and ethics of mental health), BClinical Medical Practice, etc. through the University of Pretoria’s school of medicine.
6. The University of the Free State
One of the first public universities in South Africa With 26,000 enrollees, the University of the Free State, or UFS, was founded in 1904. What’s more intriguing is that UFS offers degree programs in both Afrikaans and English. One of the top universities in South Africa to earn a medical degree is UFS. Both undergraduate and graduate medical degrees are available at UFS in a variety of specialties. Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Dermatology, Family Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Medical Physics are just a few of its programs.
7. The University of Limpopo
Even though this public institution only started accepting students in 2005, it now has a total enrollment of over 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Another well-known university in South Africa where you can earn a medical degree is the University of Limpopo. Despite not having a very high international ranking, the university offers one of South Africa’s top medical degree programs. The School of Medicine departments are housed in the faculty of Health Sciences at Limpopo, exactly like at the majority of South African universities.
Sefako Makgatho University (SMU), which is now one of the campuses of the larger university, and the University of Limpopo merged in 2014. The medical school of the university consists of around nine (9) departments that together offer the MB ChB degree, while each approved department also offers postgraduate specialization degrees (M Med.). The Department of Medicine, Department of Surgery, Department of O&G, Women’s Health, and Department of Pediatrics & Child Health are a few of the departments in Limpopo’s school of medicine.
8. Walter Sisulu University
University of Walter Sisulu One of the greatest medical degrees in Africa may be obtained at this comprehensive university in South Africa. In 1977, Walter Sisulu University, or WSU, was founded. One of the greatest colleges in South Africa is this institution, which started off delivering medicine in 1985 with a conventional program before switching to an innovative curriculum centered on problem-based learning and community-based education.
Early clinical exposure is gradually incorporated into the Walter Sisulu University curriculum till the last year. The Faculty of Health Sciences at WSU offers its programs in medicine, just like other medical schools in South Africa. The departments of human biology, internal medicine, and pharmacology are also present, as well as the departments of family medicine and rural health.
9. The University of Western Cape
Another established public university in South Africa is the University of the Western Cape, or UWC. Although it started operating in 1959, it didn’t receive university status until 1970. The institution has a School of Natural Medicine inside its faculty of Community and Health Sciences, despite the lack of a defined path leading to a medical degree.
Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture (CMA), Phytotherapy, Naturopathy, and Unani-Tibb are the four specialties offered at UWC’s School of Natural Medicine. The Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) will allow graduates of any of these programs to register in their chosen field of specialization.
10. Nelson Mandela University
Another excellent university in South Africa that benefits its students is Nelson Mandela University, which offers a wide range of programs and specializations. The university’s medical school, housed under the faculty of Health Sciences, has made its official debut. The first groundbreaking cohort of 50 medical students at the University’s eleventh medical school, which opened in March of this year, is currently sitting for exams. In 2022, an additional 80 first-year students will join them as they advance to the second year of the six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChC) program. The following schools and departments make up the school’s science faculty at the moment.
- School of Medical Sciences and Clinical Care
- Behavioural and Lifestyle Sciences School
- Health Sciences Research Directorate of the Medical School
Have you ever wondered how Nelson Mandela University ended up on the list of the top 10 medical schools in South Africa? I suppose it’s due of how well the medical school launched.
Conditions for Medical School in South Africa
You must keep in mind that South African medical schools value quality, which leads them to only admit the brightest students, if you want to be qualified to study there. These pupils would have demonstrated their professionalism by passing all the eligibility standards, as was to be expected.
- 100 points for your motivational letter
- You must have a minimum average of 75%.
- Your NBT scores ought to be 300.
- If your overall point total is greater than 880, you have a guaranteed offer.
- In math, physics, and English, you must score at least 60%.
Additional Details:
Each university has a unique application and enrollment process on its website for prospective students. Letters of reference may be required as part of the application process in addition to the standard documentation such a high school diploma and confirmation of financial aid. Your high school coursework and grades play a significant role in whether you get into these institutions. If English is not your first language, it is advised that you enroll in some preparatory classes as the selection process might be very competitive.
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