Every year, tens of thousands of South African students apply to study medicine. Every year, only a few hundred are accepted at each university. The programme is oversubscribed at every institution, and the competition is fierce enough that simply meeting the minimum requirements is almost never enough to secure a place. Understanding exactly what the numbers need to look like — and what else goes into a medical application — is the starting point for any student with medicine as their goal.

This guide covers the exact academic requirements for Medicine (MBChB) at every major South African medical school, what Maths and Physical Science marks you need, what the NBT is and why it matters, and what your Grade 12 year needs to look like if you are serious about this goal.

The Reality of Medicine Admission in South Africa

South Africa has a critical shortage of doctors. Despite this, medical schools have a limited number of training places — typically 200 to 300 students per year at each institution. The number of qualified applicants who meet or exceed the minimum requirements is far larger than the number of available spots. This means the published minimum APS is not your target. It is the floor below which you will not even be considered. The actual competitive threshold is significantly higher.

At UCT's Faculty of Health Sciences, applicants with Maths and Physical Science marks above 80% are still not guaranteed admission. At Wits MBBCh, a student with an APS of 40 — the minimum — is competing against students with an APS of 44 or 45. Understanding this distinction between the published minimum and the competitive threshold is the single most important thing a prospective medical student can absorb.

The Subject Requirements That Never Change

Regardless of which medical school you apply to, certain subject requirements are non-negotiable across the board:

Medicine Requirements — University by University

What the NBT Is and Why It Matters

The National Benchmark Test (NBT) is a standardised assessment required by most South African universities — and compulsory for all medical school applications. It tests three domains:

The NBT is written independently of the matric exam — usually in June/July and again in November. You register at nbt.ac.za and pay a registration fee per test. Most medical schools use your NBT score alongside your APS to produce a composite admission score. A strong NBT can compensate for a slightly lower APS. A weak NBT can reduce an otherwise strong application.

The Competitive Threshold — What Actually Gets Students In

Based on the published data and admission patterns at South African medical schools, here is what the profile of a competitive medicine applicant actually looks like:

If Medicine Is Not Accessible This Year — Related Degrees to Consider

If your marks are not yet at the level needed for a competitive medicine application, the following healthcare degrees offer strong careers and can serve as either a direct pathway or a foundation for later medical studies:

Many students enter BSc or health science degrees with the intention of applying for graduate-entry medicine programmes later. While South Africa does not have as many graduate-entry medicine programmes as some countries, strong academic performance in a science degree can open additional pathways. Discuss this with the relevant university faculty directly.

What You Must Do Right Now in Grade 12

If medicine is your goal, here is your action list for the rest of Grade 12:

1. Maximise Maths and Physical Science — these are your two most critical subjects

Every percentage point above 70% in Maths and Physical Science strengthens your application significantly. A student who moves from 68% to 75% in Physical Science improves their APS by one point and moves meaningfully closer to the competitive threshold. Read our guides on how to get a distinction in Physical Science and how to get a distinction in Maths.

2. Register for the NBT in June or July

Do not wait. Register at nbt.ac.za early and write in the June/July session. This gives you results in time for university applications and a second opportunity if needed. Prepare for the Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy tests specifically — these are the domains most relevant to health science applications.

3. Apply to multiple medical schools simultaneously

Application to South African universities opens in April and closes by September for most institutions. Apply to every medical school you are eligible for — not just your first choice. Application fees are modest compared to the cost of missing a deadline.

4. Do not neglect Life Sciences and English

While Maths and Physical Science are the gateway subjects, your total APS is built from six subjects. A strong Life Sciences result (70%+) adds meaningfully to your APS and signals biological science ability that is directly relevant to medicine. Strong English marks communicate academic language competence.