Studying Medicine (MBChB – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) is one of the most prestigious and challenging paths in higher education. This degree equips future doctors with the knowledge and clinical skills to save lives, improve healthcare, and make a difference in communities.
South Africa has several world-class medical schools, each offering unique strengths in clinical training, research, and community health outreach. Below is a guide to universities offering the MBChB programme in 2026.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Eastern Cape
- NMU’s Faculty of Health Sciences offers a new and growing medical school based in Gqeberha.
- The MBChB is designed with a strong focus on community-oriented primary healthcare.
- Students gain early exposure to real-world clinical practice in hospitals and clinics across the Eastern Cape.
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) – Pretoria
- SMU (formerly Medunsa) is a specialised health sciences university.
- The MBChB programme emphasises clinical medicine, research, and preventative healthcare.
- Known for producing graduates who serve in both public health facilities and private practice.
Stellenbosch University (SU) – Western Cape
- The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at SU is located at Tygerberg Hospital in Cape Town.
- SU offers cutting-edge research opportunities, including in cardiology, infectious diseases, and medical technology.
- Strong focus on global health and community-based training.
University of Cape Town (UCT) – Western Cape
- UCT’s Faculty of Health Sciences is the oldest medical school in South Africa, highly ranked globally.
- The MBChB integrates innovative teaching methods with early clinical exposure.
- UCT has strong partnerships with Groote Schuur Hospital, home of the world’s first successful heart transplant.
University of Fort Hare (UFH) – Eastern Cape
- UFH offers the MBChB through partnerships with the Walter Sisulu University clinical training platform.
- Provides opportunities for students to train in rural hospitals and clinics, ensuring exposure to diverse medical conditions.
- Strong emphasis on primary healthcare and community medicine.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) – KwaZulu-Natal
- UKZN’s Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine is based in Durban.
- Offers a six-year MBChB with emphasis on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and public health research.
- Known for its world-leading HIV research programmes and strong partnerships with public hospitals.
University of Limpopo (UL) – Limpopo
- The Medunsa campus (Polokwane) provides the MBChB programme.
- Designed to train doctors to serve rural and underserved communities.
- Focus on primary healthcare and preventative medicine.
University of Pretoria (UP) – Gauteng
- UP’s School of Medicine is based at Steve Biko Academic Hospital.
- Offers one of the most comprehensive MBChB curricula, with integration of theory, simulation, and clinical practice.
- Strong reputation for medical research, innovation, and clinical excellence.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – Johannesburg
- Wits is a leading medical research university in Africa.
- The MBChB programme includes problem-based learning, clinical rotations, and community service.
- Affiliated with world-class hospitals such as Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital and Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.
Career Pathways After MBChB
Graduates can register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and pursue careers as:
- General Practitioners (GPs)
- Specialist Doctors (after postgraduate training)
- Researchers and Academics
- Public Health Practitioners
Final Word
Whether you study at UCT or Wits for research excellence, SU or UP for clinical innovation, UKZN or SMU for strong community health exposure, or NMU, UL, or UFH for serving rural areas, each medical school in South Africa provides a world-class MBChB programme that prepares students for the demanding yet rewarding career of medicine.