5 Best Medical Schools In South Africa
Are you considering studying medicine in South Africa, one of the top African nations? The nation is home to many outstanding medical institutions. Additionally, you have a better chance of landing a swift and outstanding professional position in South Africa if you graduate with a medical degree. Additionally, this post identifies the best medical schools in South Africa.
The study of medicine requires sincere dedication, relentless effort, and enormous devotion. Although it is not easy, being a qualified medical professional is also not an impossible endeavor. However, you will succeed if you are focused and dedicated to your work. Below is a list of the best medical schools in South Africa.
List Of The Best Medical Schools In South Africa
- University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences
- University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences
- Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Clinical Medicine
- The University of Limpopo Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Best Medical Schools In South Africa
University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of Cape Town has been in existence since 1829, making it the oldest institution in the nation. According to US News, its medical school has the highest rating in South Africa and is ranked among the top 100 in the world. The Department of Medicine, inside the Faculty of Health Sciences, is where the medical program is located.
Ten of the University of Cape Town’s 36 A-rated scientists are employed by the Faculty of Health Sciences, which is an accomplishment. Organogram, Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Cardiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Pharmacology, Endocrinology, Dermatology, and other specialties are among the up to 19 departments at the UCT Department of Medicine. Like most other colleges, UCT offers scholarships to students to make it easier for them to study.
Students may experience providing clinical treatment in Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town’s primary teaching hospital, as well as in local hospitals like Somerset Hospital and Victoria Hospital, in addition to the instruction provided.
University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences
The University of the Witwatersrand, often known as the Wits, is another historic university in South Africa. One of the top institutions in South Africa to study medicine is Wits, which was founded in 1896. The location of this public research university in Johannesburg.
US News has placed Wits as the 197th best university in the world and the 135th top school for clinical medicine. At Wits South Africa, you may simultaneously pursue a graduate degree for four years while completing the six-year MB BCh program. One of the most prominent 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 institutions for clinical, preclinical, and health-related topics. It consists of several schools, such as Clinical Medicine, Anatomical Sciences, Oral Health Sciences, Public Health, and others. In addition, the students get the chance to gain real-world experience at several clinics and five large hospitals. More than 25 000 graduates are working to improve healthcare systems in various nations today.
Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Stellenbosch University, which has been in existence since 1866, received its present full status as a higher education institution in 1918. The campus now provides top-notch research facilities and contemporary classroom buildings due to a thorough investment and improvement strategy. Additionally, it offers on-site lodging with a true university atmosphere.
The school is a community of students, teachers, researchers, clinicians, and other staff members dedicated to training the next generation of health professionals who will promote health, prevent disease, and deliver the best possible healthcare through innovation and leadership.
On the Tygerberg Campus, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is next to the Tygerberg Academic Hospital. This enables medical students to integrate their academic learning with real-world applications seamlessly. Along with several research institutions, including the African Cancer Institute, a Biostatistics Unit, a Center for Medical Ethics and Law, and many more, there is also a specialized Medicine & Health Sciences Library.
Many experienced medical lecturers and professors at the school always look for the most acceptable methods to help their students grow. At Stellenbosch University, the medical program lasts six years. In addition, this school offers MB and ChB certificates to its graduates. Therefore, the best place for you to study medicine is Stellenbosch University if you want the best training possible.
University of KwaZulu-Natal School of Clinical Medicine
The School of Clinical Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal is committed to producing highly qualified medical professionals locally. In addition, it has a mission to be known internationally for excellence in research, teaching, and clinical practice.
The University of Natal and the University of Durban-Westville merged to form this university in 2004, which is based in the KwaZulu-Natal province and has five campuses. They give thorough research a lot of attention, as shown by the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for HIV and Tuberculosis, established in 2012.
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. Currently, 29 medical specialties are offered there, including Clinical & Professional Practice, Anesthetics, Cardiology, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Dermatology, General Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology, and others.
Nelson Mandela is honored by naming this medical college in South Africa. Its undergraduate medical program offers concentration options across a wide range of academic fields, and the postgraduate study provides the chance to further your expertise.
The University of Limpopo Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Even though this public institution just started accepting students in 2005, it has a total enrollment of over 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Another well-known institution in South Africa where you may get a medical degree is the University of Limpopo. Despite not having a very high international rating, the university offers one of South Africa’s top medical degree programs. The School of Medicine department is housed under the college of Health Sciences at Limpopo, precisely as most South African institutions.
Sefako Makgatho Institution (SMU), now one of the campuses of the more prominent university, and the University of Limpopo merged in 2014. The medical school of the university contains roughly nine (9) departments combined to produce the MBChB degree, and each approved subject also offers specialized postgraduate degrees (M Med.). The Department of Medicine, 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.
Conditions for Medical School In South Africa
You must remember that South African medical schools value quality, which leads them only to admit the brightest students if you want to be qualified to study there. Therefore, as anticipated, these students would have shown professionalism by passing all the qualifying standards.
- You must have at least 60% for English, Physics, and Math.
- 100 points for your letter of motivation
- Your NBT results should be 300 points
- You have a guaranteed offer if your total points are higher than 880
- Your average must be at least 75%
- You must have at least 60% for English, Physics, and Math.
Conclusion
Like any serious country, South Africa’s government places a high priority on healthcare. 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 nationwide so that qualified medical personnel would be available when required.
Students that meet the requirements or are qualified for it may enroll in medical universities in South Africa. You may proceed to get your medical degree and become a licensed doctor by selecting any medical institution.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Does Medical School Cost In South Africa?
In South Africa, tuition fees for medical school might vary significantly. The lowest annual cost is roughly $1850, while the highest is almost $15,000. Additionally, you must consider your living expenses, which might be high in South Africa.
Despite the high education expense in South Africa, many international students can attend classes there for free.
2. How Long Will It Take To Study Medicine In South Africa?
To become a doctor in South Africa, one must finish six years of study, as is customary for most medical degrees. You will eventually get an MBChB degree.
3. Do Medical Students Have A Life?
Believe it or not, you can have a “life” while attending medical school. You may be surprised to hear that medical school allows for a balance between work and life. So even if there are moments in medical school when you hardly have any spare time, you may still find the time to socialize and do well in your classes.
4. Are Doctors In Demand In South Africa?
In South Africa, where the population is expanding at a pace of 1.58 percent annually, medical expertise is greatly needed. But unfortunately, South Africa also has less medical supplies and fewer different kinds of equipment.
5. What Is The Hardest Subject In Medical School?
Most medical students agree that biochemistry is by far the most challenging subject on the USMLE. Because biochemistry was at the forefront of medicine in 2020, there is not only a ton of material to retain and absorb like a sponge, but it is also changing virtually daily.
Reference
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellenbosch_University
2. https://southafricalists.com/best-medical-schools-in-south-africa/
3. https://bscholarly.com/best-universities-to-study-medicine-in-south-africa/
4. https://briefly.co.za/32921-top-5-medical-schools-south-africa.html
