Medical Doctor (MBChB)
Diagnose and treat patients in hospitals, clinics and private practice. One of the most competitive university programmes in South Africa.
What the job involves
- Examine patients, order tests and decide on treatment.
- Work shifts in state hospitals during internship and community service.
- Later choose a speciality such as surgery, paediatrics or family medicine.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- A second language
- Life Orientation (counts toward some APS calculations)
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 35–42 (medical schools set their own scales, and many also use the NBT)
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: usually 60–70%+
- Physical Sciences: usually 60–70%+
- Life Sciences: usually 60–70%+
- English: usually 60%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- MBChB degree at a medical school6 years
Followed by 2 years' internship and 1 year community service before independent practice.
- Bridging route1–2 years extra
Some universities offer extended/foundation programmes or entry after a BSc for applicants who narrowly miss direct entry.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R55 000 – R75 000 per month (intern/community service)
- Mid-career
- R75 000 – R110 000 per month
- Senior
- R120 000+ per month (specialists and private practice vary widely)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Ukwelapha iziguli ezibhedlela nasemitholampilo. Kudinga iMathematics, iPhysical Sciences neLife Sciences esikoleni.
Afrikaans: Behandel pasiënte in hospitale en klinieke. Jy het suiwer Wiskunde, Fisiese Wetenskappe en Lewenswetenskappe nodig.