Medicine and Surgery

An MBBCh degree opens doors to exciting and challenging careers. Surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, radiologists, and family medicine practitioners start with an MBBCh.

Overview

An MBBCh degree opens doors to exciting and challenging careers. In addition, there is a critical need in South Africa’s under-served areas for doctors to provide quality preventative, diagnostic, and therapeutic services. The country offers modern facilities in both academic and private practice settings, with the opportunity to perform research at many levels.

Career Opportunities

Areas of Specialisation:
 
• Anaesthesiology
• Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Disease
• Community Health
• Family Medicine
• Forensic Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Ophthalmology
• Pathology
• Paediatrics
• Psychiatry
• Radiology
• Surgery

Curriculum

First-year
  • Integrated Sciences for Medical Students
  • Foundations of Public Health and Health Systems Science
  • The Science and Art of Health and Learning
  • Person, Family and Community I
Second-year [Subject to Change]
  • Human Anatomy
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Physiology and Medical Biochemistry I
  • Medical Thought and Practice II
Third-year
  • Integrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences A
Fourth-year
  • Integrated Basic Medical and Human Sciences B
Fifth-year
  • Integrated Clinical Medicine A
Sixth-year
  • Integrated Clinical Medicine B

Entry Requirements

NSC Requirements

English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 5
Life Sciences AND/OR Physical Sciences Level 5

The Faculty of Health Sciences uses a Composite Index (CI) score to guide applicant selection. This includes:

  1. Your matric academic results for five subjects: English, Mathematics, best of Physical Sciences/Life Sciences and the best two other subjects. We consider the percentage achieved, not the symbol. The average of the five subjects carries a 60% weighting.
  2. National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores. The average of the NBT scores carries a 40% weighting.

All applicants must write the NBT

Click here for the NBT test dates. NBT results are valid for three years and Wits only considers the first attempt of the NBT from the most recent year. Visit www.nbt.ac.za 

The NBT should be written by 11 August.

Applicants applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) and/or Graduate Entry Physiotherapy Programme (GEPP) only, as well as applicants who are in their final year of study towards a Bachelor’s degree, or who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, are not required to write the NBT.

Admission into MBBCh:

There are two entry points into the MBBCh:

  1. first year, for applicants currently in Grade 12, and
  2. third year, for applicants who have completed a relevant degree (GEMP).

No application to second year will be considered. Applicants who are currently studying or who have studied at a tertiary institution are advised to complete their studies and then apply for admission to the GEMP.

Do you already have a degree?

The GEMP offers an entry point into the third year of the MBBCh degree at Wits for suitably qualified graduates who want to become doctors. Years three to six of the MBBCh programme cover integrated multidisciplinary and clinical courses. As each year of study is compulsory, no student may be admitted into the programme after the third year. For more information, visit: www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp/

University Application Process

  • The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
  • Please click here for an overview of the application process. 
  • Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply. 
  • Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
  • Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal. 

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.