How much it really costs to study medicine in South Africa
Medicine typically takes six years to complete, followed by a compulsory two-year internship and a year of community service.
Image: Freepik
For thousands of pupils finishing matric each year, the question is not only what to study next, but whether they can afford to pursue their ambitions.
In South Africa, the most expensive undergraduate degree at public universities remains medicine, formally known as the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).
At leading institutions such as the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Pretoria, annual tuition fees for medicine can range from about R60,000 to more than R110,000 a year.
Yet, demand for these seats outstrips supply. Across South Africa’s medical schools, there are around 1 900 first‑year MBChB places available annually at the main public universities.
This depends on the institution and year of study. That figure excludes accommodation, textbooks, equipment, transport and daily living costs, which can push the total annual cost significantly higher.
Medicine typically takes six years to complete, followed by a compulsory two-year internship and a year of community service before graduates can practise independently.
Over the full study period, the total cost can run into several hundred thousand rand, making it the most expensive mainstream degree offered by public universities in South Africa.
What it takes to get in
Entry into medicine is highly competitive. Learners must obtain a National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s pass and strong results in key subjects, including Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English.
Most medical faculties use an Admission Point Score (APS) system, with medicine requiring one of the highest APS thresholds on campus.
While minimum requirements differ by institution, successful applicants typically achieve averages well above the minimum, often in the 70% range or higher.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place.
Universities select from a large pool of applicants, and in some cases additional assessments, interviews or motivation submissions form part of the selection process.
Learners who do not gain immediate entry are sometimes advised to consider related degrees, such as biomedical science or health sciences, and reapply later, although this route is not guaranteed.
How ordinary families afford it
For most students, funding is the biggest hurdle.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) remains the primary funding source for students from low- and middle-income households who meet the eligibility criteria.
NSFAS covers tuition and provides allowances for accommodation, food, transport and study materials at public universities.
In addition, universities offer their own bursaries, scholarships and merit awards, particularly for academically strong students.
Several provincial health departments also fund medical students through bursary schemes, usually in exchange for a work-back commitment after graduation.
Private bursaries from medical schemes, trusts and corporates are another option, although these are limited and highly competitive.
Students who do not qualify for full funding often combine partial bursaries with family contributions and, in some cases, student loans. Universities advise applicants to apply for all available funding options as early as possible, often while still in Grade 11.
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