Medical Schools in South Africa with the Lowest APS (2027)

Key Takeaways

• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) officially has the lowest published minimum Admission Point Score (APS) for Medicine (MBChB) in South Africa, starting at an APS of 30.
• The Minimum is Not the Target: Although SMU publishes an APS of 30, due to intense competition, applicants typically need a realistic competitive APS of 34 or higher to be selected.
• University of Limpopo (UL) is another accessible option, requiring a Grade 12 bachelor’s pass with strong minimums in Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
• Subject Requirements Override APS: A high APS means nothing if you do not have Pure Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences. Most medical schools demand at least a Level 5 (60%) in these subjects. Mathematical Literacy is categorically rejected.
• The Upward Trend: Universities are actively raising their requirements. For example, Stellenbosch University will increase its minimum Mathematics requirement to 70% (Level 6) for the 2028 intake, and the University of Pretoria currently requires an APS of 35.
• Alternative Entry: If you do not meet the minimum APS for first-year entry, you can complete a relevant BSc degree and apply for Graduate Entry Medical Programmes (GEMP) at institutions like Wits, which allow you to enter into the third year of the MBChB degree.

Medicine (MBChB) is indisputably the most fiercely competitive undergraduate degree in South Africa. Every year, tens of thousands of matriculants apply for fewer than 2,000 available seats across the country’s medical schools. This immense supply-and-demand imbalance means that universities use the Admission Point Score (APS) as a brutal, automated filtering mechanism.

When researching medical schools, many students and parents make a critical error: they assume the “minimum published APS” in the university prospectus guarantees admission. In reality, the published APS is merely the floor—the point below which the system immediately discards your application. The actual competitive APS required to secure an interview or a firm offer is always significantly higher.

However, not all universities set their minimum floor at the impossible heights of 40+. If you are a strong student who performed exceptionally well in the sciences but perhaps dropped points in your language or elective subjects, there are accessible medical schools in South Africa for the 2027 intake.

This guide ranks the medical schools with the lowest published APS requirements, uncovers the actual competitive targets, and explains the strict subject prerequisites you must meet.

1. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Located in Pretoria, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is South Africa’s only dedicated health sciences university. It consistently offers the most accessible entry point for prospective medical students, actively focusing on recruiting students from rural and previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

• Published Minimum APS: 30.
• Realistic Competitive APS: 34+.
• Mathematics Requirement: Level 4 (50%+) minimum, but Level 5 (60%+) is strongly preferred.
• Physical Science Requirement: Level 4 (50%+) minimum, but Level 5 (60%+) is strongly preferred.
• English Requirement: Level 4 (50%+).
• Life Sciences: Highly recommended.
• NBT Requirement: Applicants must check directly with SMU admissions, as NBT requirements can vary by year.

Why Choose SMU? SMU operates adjacent to the Dr. George Mukhari Academic Hospital, providing students with immediate, high-volume clinical exposure from the early years of their degree.

2. University of Limpopo (UL)

The School of Medicine at the University of Limpopo is a critical institution for training doctors tailored for rural healthcare and primary care medicine. UL does not strictly emphasize an isolated APS number in the same commercialized way as urban universities; instead, it looks heavily at individual science subject performance.

• Admission Basis: A Grade 12 bachelor’s pass.
• Subject Requirements: Applicants must meet strict minimum requirements in English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences (Biology).
• Selection Process: UL places a massive premium on applicants from the Limpopo province and surrounding rural districts, making it an excellent, accessible choice if you reside in these areas.

3. University of Pretoria (UP)

The University of Pretoria (UP) offers a world-class, six-year MBChB programme. While its APS requirement is higher than SMU’s, it remains slightly more accessible than the extreme thresholds demanded by Wits or UCT.

• Published Minimum APS: 35. (Note: UP entirely excludes Life Orientation when calculating this score).
• Mathematics Requirement: Level 6 (70%+).
• Physical Science Requirement: Level 5 (60%+).
• English Requirement: Level 5 (60%+).
• Places Available: 300 first-year students are selected annually.

The UP Selection Catch: UP is one of the few universities that officially considers both first- and second-choice applicants. However, you must ensure your Grade 11 average does not drop significantly in your final matric exams, or your conditional offer will be revoked.

4. Stellenbosch University (SU)

Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (located at the Tygerberg Campus) offers instruction in both English and Afrikaans. While traditionally seen as highly exclusive, its published baseline APS is lower than expected—though it is rapidly increasing.

• Published Minimum APS: 36.
• Realistic Competitive APS: 40+.
• Mathematics Requirement: Level 5 (60%+) minimum, but 70% is the competitive benchmark.
• Warning for the Future: For the 2028 intake (applying in 2027), SU will officially raise its minimum Mathematics requirement to 70% (Level 6).
• Physical Science Requirement: Level 5 (60%+) minimum.
• NBT Requirement: Yes, the NBT is mandatory for all health science applicants at SU.

The High-End Outliers: Wits and UCT

To understand why an APS of 30 at SMU is considered “low,” you must compare it to the extreme requirements of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Cape Town (UCT).

• Wits University: Requires a minimum APS of 40 (but realistically 44+). They utilize a Composite Index (CI) score where your NBT results account for a massive 40% of your final selection ranking. You must write the NBTs in-person.
• UCT: Uses a unique scoring system out of 600. The minimum is around 400, but competitive applicants score between 450 and 550.

2027 Medical School Target Matrix

University	Published Minimum APS	Realistic Target APS	Minimum Maths Target	NBT Required?
SMU	30	34+	60%+	Check Annually
UP	35	38+	70%+ (Level 6)	Yes
Stellenbosch	36	40+	70%+	Yes
Wits	40	44+	70%+	Yes (In-Person, 40% Weighting)
UCT	~400/600	450 – 550+	75%+	Yes

Alternative Pathways: The Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP)

What happens if you matriculate with an APS of 29? Are you permanently locked out of becoming a doctor? No.

If you do not meet the APS requirements for first-year entry, several universities offer a Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP). Wits University is famous for this route.

• How it works: You enroll in a standard 3-year Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree (e.g., in Human Physiology, Anatomy, or Biochemistry).
• The Academic Hurdle: You must complete this degree with an exceptional academic average (typically above 70% in your final two years). You must also have completed first-year university-level Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
• The Outcome: If accepted into GEMP, you skip the first two years of medical school and enter directly into the third year of the MBChB programme. Furthermore, GEMP applicants are exempt from writing the NBTs.

Crucial Advice for 2027 Applicants

1. Do Not Apply to Only One University: Because medical school admission is highly unpredictable and relies on demographic quotas and NBT weightings, you must spread your risk. Apply to SMU, UP, and Wits simultaneously to maximize your chances.
2. Your Subject Choices Dictate Everything: A student with an APS of 42 who took Mathematical Literacy will be rejected by every medical school in the country. Pure Mathematics and Physical Sciences are non-negotiable.
3. Prepare for the NBTs: For universities like UP and Wits, your NBT score can save a mediocre APS or destroy an excellent one. Treat the NBTs with the same intensity as your final matric exams.

If you are realizing that the brutal Mathematics and Physical Science requirements of an MBChB degree might be out of reach, there are other highly respected, well-paid, and globally in-demand careers within the South African healthcare sector. For instance, the transition to becoming a professional nurse offers a faster route into clinical care with slightly more forgiving APS thresholds. Read our comprehensive guide on the exact requirements to study nursing in south africa to explore this alternative medical pathway.

Disclaimer: The Admission Point Scores (APS), subject minimums, and NBT requirements detailed in this article are based on official faculty prospectuses for the upcoming 2027 academic intake. Medical schools face extreme capacity constraints and reserve the absolute right to alter their admission thresholds, selection formulas, and demographic quotas without prior notice. Always verify the latest requirements directly on the official admissions portal of your chosen university before finalizing your application.