MBChB
Training doctors for internship in South Africa, the MBChB curriculum underwent an intensive renewal process from August 2017, the third major overhaul since its inception in 1956. Accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the new curriculum was implemented with the registration of first-year students in 2022.
Building on the strengths of the previous curriculum, a sound foundation provides students with a thorough understanding of the human body in its entirety before learning to treat it. Students benefit from early experience with patients. The renewed curriculum focuses on holistic care, including the health and wellbeing of patients and doctors.
A shift in the approach to student-centred learning created a much more balanced and student-friendly curriculum. The teaching methods are learning-centred, making use of advanced multimedia technologies. An emphasis on research builds lifelong internally driven learning skills. This critical competency ensures that practitioners keep abreast of new developments in medicine and are comfortable treating patients with evidence-based medicine.
Doctors who graduate from Stellenbosch University will have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to use the opportunities available during the two-year internship optimally. After that, they could function autonomously in the primary health care sector and have acquired the ability and insight to develop personally and professionally.
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Minimum admission requirements – NSC/ IEB
- Mathematics 60%
- Physical Sciences 50%
- Life Sciences 50%
Minimum admission requirements – International curricula
IEB-ISC (NBTs compulsory)IEB-ISC aggregate of at least 75% (excluding Active Citizenry) Mathematics 60% Physical Sciences (Physics and Chemistry) 50% Life Sciences 50% Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection.
German Abitur
Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection. University Exemption with 75% average
Maths 6 (Nam 8), Chemistry and Biology 5
(Nam 7)
Physics recommended but not required, 5
(Nam 7)
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB Diploma)
Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection. University Exemption with 75% average
Maths, Chemistry and Biology 4 on HL or 5 on SL
Physics a 4 on HL or 5 on SL, recommended but not required
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel AS-level , IGCSE/O-level
Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection. University Exemption with
75% average
Maths, Chemistry and Biology C on AS-Level
Physics a C on AS-level, recommended but not required
Cambridge International/Pearson Edexcel A-level , IGCSE/O-level
Preference will be given to South African citizens, applicants with proof of permanent residency status or those with proof of refugee or asylum seeker status in South Africa, when applicants are considered for selection. University Exemption with
75% average
Maths, Chemistry and Biology E on A-Level
Physics a E on A-level recommended but not required
Programme structure
Full-time