UCT medicine requirements for 2027 entry: an NSC with English at 65%, Mathematics at 70%, Physical Sciences at 70% and your next three best subjects at 70% or more (excluding Life Orientation), plus NBT results. Guaranteed admission (Band A) needs a Faculty Point Score (FPS) of 810 or more out of 900, according to UCT’s 2027 NSC admission guidelines.
Meeting the minimums is no guarantee: there are 240 MBChB places, and applicants compete in categories.
Entry Requirements at a Glance
- English: 65%
- Mathematics: 70% (Mathematical Literacy does not meet this requirement)
- Physical Sciences: 70%
- Next three best subjects: 70% or more each, excluding Life Orientation
- NBTs: Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics, required wherever you live
- An FPS of 810 or more for Band A (guaranteed admission)
Academic and Minimum Admission Requirements
The Health Sciences FPS is out of 900: your APS (six best subject percentages, excluding Life Orientation) plus your NBT percentages. For 2027 MBChB entry, offers are banded:
- Band A (guaranteed): FPS 810 or more, with NBT Proficient for Academic Literacy, Quantitative Literacy and Mathematics
- Band B (likely): Weighted Points Score (WPS) 807 or more, with the same subject minimums and NBT Intermediate
- Band C (possible): FPS 644 or more, only for South African applicants in redress categories 1 and 2, with the same subject minimums and NBT Intermediate
The WPS applies to South African applicants only and adjusts the FPS by a disadvantage factor of up to 20% for Health Sciences.
Subjects, APS and Qualification Requirements
UCT sets its MBChB minimum in Mathematics (70%), not Mathematical Literacy. The subject minimums are those listed above. Ask the Faculty of Health Sciences whether any other subject, such as Life Sciences, is expected for your intake.
UCT’s general minimum for degree study is an NSC with a rating of 4 (50-59%) in four subjects. MBChB asks for far more, as shown above.
Documents and Application Requirements
Apply at applyonline.uct.ac.za. The application fee is R100 (South Africa and SADC) or R300 (outside SADC), non-refundable. You may apply for up to two programmes. Send certified electronic copies of your documents to [email protected], and school learners must submit all results from Grade 11 to September of Grade 12. Include your NBT registration number in the application.
Register for the NBTs on the NBT website first. Health Sciences applicants must write them wherever they live, and you pay for the tests yourself. Questions about the faculty process can go to [email protected], and the Faculty of Health Sciences admissions page explains the process.
Selection, Intake and Eligibility Considerations
Applications for 2027 closed on 31 July 2026. To be considered for a conditional offer, you had to write the NBTs by 31 July 2026; later writers are considered in early 2027 after final results. Check the faculty page for the next cycle’s dates.
The faculty considers applications continually once your first NBT results and at least one set of provisional school results are uploaded. First-choice applicants are prioritised, and applicants compete in categories: South African school leavers, SADC applicants and applicants with tertiary results. The Dean may allocate a few discretionary places, for example to repeat applicants and applicants with disabilities.
Have a second option. Other Faculty of Health Sciences programmes have limited places too: Audiology 37, Occupational Therapy 70, Physiotherapy 70 and Speech-Language Pathology 40. See medicine requirements for the national picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements to study medicine at UCT?
For 2027: English 65%, Mathematics 70%, Physical Sciences 70% and three other subjects at 70%, plus NBTs. Band A (guaranteed) is FPS 810 or more out of 900.
How many places are there in UCT medicine?
There are 240 MBChB places.
Do I have to write the NBTs for medicine?
Yes. All Health Sciences applicants must write them wherever they live, and NBT results count towards the FPS.
Can I study medicine with Mathematical Literacy?
Not at UCT. The MBChB minimum is in Mathematics (70%).
Does meeting the threshold guarantee a place?
No. Only Band A offers are guaranteed, and places are limited to 240.
Source: University of Cape Town admissions, checked October 2026. Confirm the current thresholds with the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences. See admission requirements, medicine requirements and browse all education requirements.