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University Of Witwatersrand Johannesburg Medical School

University Of Witwatersrand Johannesburg Medical School, The MBBCh trains students who have never been registered at a tertiary institution to become medical doctors.


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Qualification: MBBCh
School: Clinical Medicine
Faculty: Health Sciences
Duration: 6 years
Study mode: Full-time

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) degree is a 6 year, full-time course. The degree course is the standard qualification for becoming a medical practitioner.
Duties include the examination and diagnosis of patients, the prescription of medicines, performing of minor operations and the provision of treatments for injuries, diseases and other ailments.
Once qualified, it is a requirement that two years internship and one further year community service must be undertaken before the qualified doctor is permitted to pursue specialty training.

Completing the MBBCh degree opens the door to a variety of exciting and challenging careers. Surgeons, paediatricians, pathologists, radiologists, family medicine practitioners, all start by graduating with an MBBCh.


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South Africa offers great scope to medical practitioners. There is a critical need for doctors in underserved areas and it is a challenge to provide good quality preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic services in a resource-poor setting.

However, the personal rewards of giving back and making a difference to the lives of so many people make the effort worthwhile. On the other hand, the country offers up-to-date facilities in both academic and private practice settings with the opportunity of being involved in research at many levels.

There are two points of entry into MBBCh.

  • First year for applicants who are currently in grade 12
  • Third year for applicants who have completed a first degree (the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) which is a 4 year programme)

Career Opportunities

  • General practice doctor
  • Hospital doctor
  • Health promotion specialist

Career specialisations after acquiring an MBBCh Degree:

  • Anaesthesiology
  • Clinical microbiology & Infectious disease
  • Community health
  • Family medicine
  • Forensic medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Obstetrics & gynaecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pathology
  • Paediatrics
  • Psychiatry
  • Radiology
  • Surgery

Entry Requirements

Health Sciences – View the  Wits University Revised Health Sciences Admissions Policy

Programme Minimum Admission Requirements Selection procedures
APS Subjects & achieved scale
Bachelor of Health Sciences BHSc
(3 years)
  • Biomedical Sciences
  • Biokinetics
  • Health Systems Sciences
Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
MBBCh (6 years)
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
BSc (Physiotherapy)
(4 years)
Bachelor of Pharmacy(BPharm)
(4 years)
The Faculty of Health Sciences does not calculate an APS score. Academic performance and National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores are used for consideration.

There are two points of entry into the MBBCh degree:


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  • 1st year MBBCh for applicants currently completing Matric
  • 3rd year MBBCh (i.e. the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) for applicants who have completed a prerequisite degree. Click here for more info.
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 5
If you are applying to the Faculty of Health Sciences, you will not be selected solely on your school leaving results, although they are very important. A composite index is calculated, taking into consideration
(1) your academic results for FIVE subjects and (2) National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores.
Only five subjects are used to derive a matriculation score, which is calculated according to the percentages obtained, NOT symbols. These are English Language, Mathematics, Physical Science/ Life Sciences and the best two other subjects. (Dentistry requires Physical Science and Life Sciences and the best other subject).
  • ALL applicants (excluding applicants who are applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme – GEMP only) are required to write the National Benchmark Test (NBT).
  • GEMP applicants may be invited to the Wits Additional Placement Test (WAPT) and all applicants are advised to prepare in the event that they are invited. For more information on the WAPT please refer to: www.wits.ac.za/health/gemp
  • ALL GEMP applicants who are invited to the WAPT will be expected to complete a Biographical Questionnaire on the day of the test.
  • ALL applicants to BSc (Occupational Therapy) and/or BSc (Physiotherapy) must spend time (16 hrs) observing and/or assisting an Occupational Therapist/Physiotherapist and complete a certificate of attendance. Only observation hours completed between 1 July 2017 and 31 July 2018 will be accepted as valid.
Bachelor of Dental Science 
BDS (5 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 5
Mathematics – 5
Life Sciences and 
Physical Science – 5
Bachelor of NursingBNurs
(4 years)
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy– BSc (OT) (4 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4
Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP) (3 years)
Bachelor of Oral Health Sciences(BOHS) (3 years)
English HL or 1st Add Lang – 4
Mathematics – 4 or
Mathematical Literacy – 7
Life Sciences and/or
Physical Science – 4

 

Application Process

Your application

  • You may apply for three programmes (degrees).
  • Applications to Wits must enclose a non-refundable application fee of R100 (for international applicants, R700).

Documentation / Checklist

  • Submit your Grade 11 report which must be signed and stamped by your school principal.
  • If you have already matriculated, attach a copy of your matric certificate.

Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.

Apply now

Closing Dates30 June 2018
Faculty of Health Sciences (All programmes)
Bachelor of Architecture
Bachelor of Audiology
Bachelor of Speech-Language Pathology
30 September 2018
All other University programmes
Residence applications

Course Costs

The average course costs for local students range from R34 000 to R62 000, depending on the course and the number of years of study.
Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.

Online applications
  • Complete an online application to study at Wits

Apply now


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