Health sciences universities admit differently from general universities. Places are limited by clinical training capacity rather than lecture hall space, selection is competitive well above the published minimum, and several programmes add tests, interviews or service commitments.
This page explains how health sciences admission works in practice, so the application you submit is realistic and complete.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
Typical requirements for health sciences admission.
- A National Senior Certificate with a Bachelor’s pass for degree programmes
- Mathematics — Mathematical Literacy is generally not accepted for health sciences degrees
- Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at the level the programme requires
- A high APS, set per programme and revised annually with demand
- A minimum in the language of instruction
- A selection test, interview or assessment, where the programme uses one
- A valid South African ID, or a passport with a study permit
- A medical fitness certificate and immunisation, for clinical programmes
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
Confirm the current requirements with the university directly. APS scores, subject minimums, selection processes and closing dates are set by the institution, revised annually, and differ by programme. The university’s own prospectus and admissions office are the only authoritative sources, and closing dates for health sciences are often earlier than for other faculties.
The published minimum is not the admitting score. For medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and several allied health programmes, the actual intake sits well above the stated minimum because applications far exceed places. Ask the admissions office what the previous intake looked like.
Selection is not only academic. Many health sciences programmes weight a written selection assessment, an interview, or criteria reflecting the national need for practitioners in underserved areas. Prepare for those as seriously as for the results.
Have a realistic second and third choice. Nursing, radiography, emergency medical care, dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, medical laboratory sciences, environmental health and pharmacy are all registrable professions with genuine demand, and several admit at lower scores than medicine. Applying only to medicine is the most common planning error.
Every clinical programme leads to council registration. The HPCSA, the South African Nursing Council and the South African Pharmacy Council register their respective professions, and registration — not the degree alone — is what permits practice. A criminal record can affect it, so deal with anything in your history early.
Community service is a statutory requirement for several health professions after qualification, allocated to a facility rather than chosen. Factor that into your planning.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
Subject and points requirements.
- Mathematics at the level the programme specifies — not Mathematical Literacy
- Physical Sciences for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and most allied health programmes
- Life Sciences for medicine, dentistry, nursing and biological programmes
- A high minimum in English or the language of instruction
- A programme-specific APS, calculated by the university’s own method
- A National Benchmark Test or institutional selection assessment, where required
- A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 in a health-related field, where the university accepts it
Documents and Application Requirements
The application document set.
- Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
- Certified copy of your National Senior Certificate or final Grade 12 results
- Academic transcripts and certificates from any previous study
- Proof of payment of the application fee, where one applies
- Proof of residence, where required
- A study permit, for international applicants
- A curriculum vitae, where the programme requires work experience
- A medical fitness certificate and proof of immunisation, for clinical programmes
- A police clearance certificate, where required
- Selection test results, where the programme uses them
- A motivation letter or personal statement, where required
- Proof of any relevant volunteer or work experience in a health setting
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Apply as early as applications open. Health sciences closing dates are typically earlier than other faculties, and late applications are frequently not considered at all.
Apply to several universities. Health sciences selection is competitive everywhere and a single application is a single point of failure. Requirements differ between institutions, so check each one.
Apply for funding separately and early. NSFAS has its own closing dates, and health sciences bursaries from provincial health departments, the military and private hospital groups close earlier still — many carry a work-back obligation, which is a genuine commitment worth reading before accepting.
Accommodation is a separate application with its own deadline, and clinical programmes involve early starts and hospital placements that make proximity matter.
Volunteer experience helps both the application and your own decision-making. Time in a clinic, hospital or care setting shows commitment and tells you whether the work suits you before you commit six years to it.
Nobody can sell you a place. Any person or agency charging to secure admission or to guarantee selection is committing fraud. Public university applications are made directly, and the fees are published and modest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mathematical Literacy accepted?
Generally not for health sciences degrees. Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences are the standard requirement — confirm the specific levels with the university.
Is meeting the minimum APS enough?
No. Health sciences intakes sit well above the published minimum because applications far exceed places. Ask the admissions office about the previous intake.
What if I do not get into medicine?
Nursing, radiography, emergency medical care, pharmacy, physiotherapy, dietetics and medical laboratory sciences are registrable professions with real demand and lower entry scores.
Do health bursaries have conditions?
Frequently. Provincial health department and similar bursaries often carry a work-back obligation. Read the contract before accepting it.
Admission requirements, APS scores, selection processes and closing dates are set by the university and are revised annually. Confirm current requirements with the institution, and registration requirements with the HPCSA, SANC or South African Pharmacy Council.