Medical Schools in South Africa: All 10 Universities, Places and Alternatives (2027)
10.10.2026
Short answer
All 10 medical schools in South Africa with city and degree, 17,363 applications for 300 places at Stellenbosch, and where to study medicine if you get no offer.
Medical schools in South Africa
In short: South Africa has ten medical schools in 2026. Nine award the MBChB, and the University of the Witwatersrand awards the MBBCh. The degree takes six years, followed by two years of internship and one year of community service before independent practice.
| University | City | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town (UCT) | Cape Town | MBChB |
| University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) | Johannesburg | MBBCh |
| University of Pretoria (UP) | Pretoria | MBChB |
| Stellenbosch University (SU) | Cape Town, Tygerberg campus | MBChB |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) | Durban | MBChB |
| University of the Free State (UFS) | Bloemfontein | MBChB |
| Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) | Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria | MBChB |
| Walter Sisulu University (WSU) | Mthatha | MBChB |
| University of Limpopo (UL) | Polokwane | MBChB |
| Nelson Mandela University (NMU) | Gqeberha | MBChB |
Places and applications
In short: A South African medical school admits between about 250 and 300 first-year students. Stellenbosch University received 17,363 MBChB applications for 300 places for the 2026 intake. That is about 58 applicants per place.
| University | Applications | Places | Applicants per place |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellenbosch University, MBChB, 2026 intake | 17,363 | 300 | 58 |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal, MBChB, 2024 intake | about 12,000 | 250 | 48 |
| University of Cape Town, Faculty of Health Sciences, all programmes, 2026 intake | 18,931 | 460 | 41 |
The University of Pretoria can accommodate 300 first-year MBChB students. Applicants apply to several universities at once, so the totals overlap. The ratio at each single university still decides your letter. Meeting the minimum requirements does not earn a seat when 57 others want the same one.
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In short: South Africa has no private medical school that awards the MBChB in 2026. All ten medical schools belong to public universities. Students who want a place outside the public selection system study medicine abroad.
In many countries a private faculty absorbs part of the demand. South Africa has none for medicine. The number of seats therefore changes only when a public university expands, and that happens slowly.
Medical schools abroad
In short: English-taught medical schools in Europe charge between €3,500 and €10,000 tuition a year in 2026 and teach the six-year degree in English. Caribbean medical schools follow the American model with clinical rotations in the USA. Medschool Experts places South African students at more than 25 partner universities.
The cheapest programme we place students in is at the University of East Sarajevo in Foča, at €3,500 a year. The medical universities in Sofia, Plovdiv and Varna charge €10,000 a year. I studied in the English programme in Sofia myself, from 2015 to 2021.
Countries, costs and the way back to South Africa through the HPCSA are in our guide to studying medicine abroad from South Africa. If your rejection is fresh, start with your options after a rejection.
Global view
South Africa is not alone with this ratio. Germany rations its places through a national grade threshold. The United Kingdom caps medical school numbers by government decision. Greece and Italy select through national entrance examinations with fixed quotas. Students from all four countries study in English-taught programmes in Bulgaria, Romania and the Western Balkans, and South Africans study there too.
The author's view
I started dental medicine in Sofia in 2015, at 24, and graduated in 2021. Looking at 17,363 applications for 300 seats at Stellenbosch, I see arithmetic. It says nothing about the 17,063 who were not chosen.
My view: treat the South African application and the application abroad as one plan with two doors. Then a rejection letter changes your route, and your starting year stays the same.
Summary
South Africa has ten medical schools, all public, each with about 250 to 300 first-year places. Stellenbosch University alone counted 17,363 applications for 300 places for 2026.
There is no private MBChB in the country. English-taught medical schools abroad add the seats that South Africa does not have.
Conclusion
Apply at home, and plan the second route at the same time. Request your free consultation and we tell you where you can start.
Medical schools in South Africa: 6 questions and answers
How many medical schools are there in South Africa?
Ten in 2026: UCT, Wits, the University of Pretoria, Stellenbosch University, UKZN, the University of the Free State, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Walter Sisulu University, the University of Limpopo and Nelson Mandela University.
How many places does a medical school have?
About 250 to 300 in the first year. The University of Pretoria and Stellenbosch University each have 300 MBChB places, and the University of KwaZulu-Natal has 250.
How hard is it to get into medicine in South Africa?
Stellenbosch University received 17,363 applications for 300 MBChB places for the 2026 intake, about 58 applicants per place.
Are there private medical schools in South Africa?
No. All ten medical schools belong to public universities. No private institution awards the MBChB.
How long does it take to become a doctor in South Africa?
Nine years: six years of MBChB, two years of internship and one year of community service.
Where can I study medicine if I get no place?
At English-taught medical schools in Europe or the Caribbean. Medschool Experts places students at more than 25 partner universities and offers a free consultation.
Further reading
- Study Medicine in Cuba vs Europe: What South Africans Need to Know
- Medicine Requirements in South Africa: Subjects, APS and Marks
- How to Become a Doctor in South Africa: Steps and Years
- GEMP at Wits: Requirements, WAPT and Dates
- Study Medicine Abroad from South Africa: Countries, Costs and the Way Back
- Not Accepted for Medicine in South Africa? Your Options
- HPCSA Registration: Practising Medicine in South Africa with a Foreign Degree 2026
What students say about Medschool Experts
Over 500 placements at 25+ partner universities across 10+ countries. See how our students experienced their path into medical school abroad in our student stories.
About the author
Marcel Kloos
Founder and owner of Medschool Experts, federally recognised dentist
Marcel Kloos is the founder and owner of Medschool Experts, a placement agency for medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine and pharmacy degrees abroad. Since 2021 the team has secured more than 500 study places at 25+ partner universities in Europe and worldwide.
Study medicine abroad: Marcel's own path
Born in Stuttgart, Marcel started his degree late: at 24 he enrolled at the Medical University of Sofia, Faculty of Dental Medicine, and graduated in 2021 from the English-language programme. He went through the same steps his clients face today — nostrification of school certificates, entrance interviews, finding a flat in Sofia and later the recognition of a foreign degree. He is a federally recognised dentist.
What Marcel does at Medschool Experts
Today Marcel lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time. He visits every partner university in person, negotiates placement agreements directly with faculties and deans, and leads the free consultations in which applicants learn at which university they can start next semester. His YouTube channel on studying medicine abroad has helped thousands of applicants compare universities, costs and recognition.
Topics Marcel writes about
- Study medicine abroad independent of your high school diploma grades: universities, costs and admission
- Study dentistry, veterinary medicine or pharmacy in Europe in English
- Tuition fees and living costs at medical schools in Europe and worldwide
- Recognition of foreign medical degrees in the EU, Switzerland, the UK and the US
- Transferring between medical schools and returning home into a higher semester
All articles by Marcel Kloos are based on first-hand visits to the universities and conversations with current students. Book a free consultation to discuss your own path.
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