UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND, JOHANNESBURG

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ELECTIVE CLERKSHIPS APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Teaching Hospitals

Students wishing to undertake an elective period in a teaching hospital should complete the following registration procedures. All registration fees must be settled on confirmation of acceptance. Please ensure that the appropriate fees related to the duration of the elective period, together with the fee required for registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), are sent in South African Rand currency in the exact amount. ALL payments MUST be in favour of the University of the Witwatersrand. A schedule of registration fees and bank details are listed under the option Registration Fees.

Methods of payment, internet banking, bank transfer/ draft, credit card authorization.

  • Registration Form A
    To register as a temporary visiting student with the Faculty of Health Sciences complete Form A. Enclose two passport size photographs ? this is important and is required for your hospital identity access card.

  • Registration Form 8
    Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) is a statutory requirement. Section A of the application Form 08 must be completed by the Dean of the applicant?s respective university/ medical school. Section C will be completed by the Elective Officer, the University of the Witwatersrand. Form 08 together with the applicable registration fee will then be forwarded to the Council by the University of the Witwatersrand. PLEASE DO NOT make any payments in favour of the HPCSA as they do not accept individual cheques.
  • To ensure that deadlines are met and clerkships may be arranged timeously, a minimum of 16 weeks is required to complete all the formalities and arrangements before an elective period is due to start.

  • STUDY PERMIT OR VISA

    Who needs a study permit?
    In terms of the Aliens Control Act No. 96 of 1991 (section 26), if you are resident outside South Africa and are not a South African citizen or you do not have permanent residence status, you are required to obtain the correct entrance visa/ permit for the duration of stay in South Africa. For further information in this regard, please visit: www.southafricahouse.com

    If you are offered an elective clerkship at the University of the Witwatersrand, it will be on condition that you obtain official permission to enter the country. It does not bind the Department of Home Affairs in any way to allow you to reside in South Africa. In terms of this Act, no South African educational institution may offer tuition to a student who has not received a study permit/ visa. If the duration of your stay is 90 days or less, you need not apply for a study permit; you will be issued with a visitor s visa however you must contact the nearest South African Consulate/Embassy in this regard.

    Where do I go to apply for a study permit/visa?
    You are required to apply for a study permit/ visa at the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission in your country of residence or country of origin. If there is no South African representative in your country, you must apply to the South African High Commission, Embassy, Consulate or Trade Mission nearest to your home country.

    When do I apply for a study permit/visa?
    You should apply for you study permit/ visa once you have received a letter of acceptance / confirmation from the University. The study permit should cover the duration of your elective.
    When applying for your study permit/visa the following is normally required:
    • a letter of acceptance / confirmation from this University
    • a guarantee that you are able to cover your repatriation fee to your country of origin
    • provision of proof of comprehensive medical insurance / health coverage
    • a certified copy of your Certificate of Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
    Students should apply well ahead of the elective period as it can take up to 12 weeks to register with the (HPCSA) and 6-8 weeks to obtain the permit / visa.

    It is noted that medical students are sometimes issued with work permits by the South African mission stations abroad, Please note that this in no way implies that the foreign student may receive remuneration - there is NO remuneration for time spent in our hospitals as an elective student.