Prospective Students

We offer a six year MBChB degree. The full name for the MBChB degree is Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

The purpose of Nelson Mandela University’s MBChB programme is to train caring, competent and committed primary health care oriented, medical doctors who will work as members of inter-professional teams, to practice in holistic, culturally sensitive and comprehensive ways.

Prospective students who wish to join Nelson Mandela University in 2026 are invited to apply online as from April 2025.  In order to ensure adequate time for application, processing and planning by the university and yourself, online applications for admission in 2026 should be submitted by:

• 30 JUNE 2025 for MBChB applications

Please note, places for the MBChB qualification are limited, and it is therefore in your best interest to submit your online application and ALL supporting documentation timeously. Before completing an online application form, please take note of the minimum required criteria for the MBChB qualification, refer to the Medical School FAQ’s (https://medicalschool.mandela.ac.za/Frequently-Asked-Questions), A-Z career webpage, faculty websites or faculty guides for additional information. Online applications can be accessed via the following link: https://www.mandela.ac.za/Study-at-Mandela/Application/Apply-Undergraduate.

Please note that the application for MBChB is not on a first come first accepted basis, and all applications will be reviewed collectively as there are a limited number of places.

You will need the following to be eligible to apply for the MBChB degree:

• Minimum NSC statutory requirements for degree entry must be met.
• An applicant with NSC Grade 12 Mathematics requires a minimum Applicant Score of 430.
• NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for English (home language or first additional language).
• NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for Mathematics.
• NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for Physical Sciences.
• NSC achievement rating of at least 60% for Life Science.

It is important to note that not every applicant that meets the minimum requirements will be given a place.

For an applicant applying with Grade 11 final exam results, the above requirements also apply, and the applicant will need to maintain these results in their grade 12 June/September NSC (or equivalent).

It is important to note that places are offered conditionally to Grade 12 applicants based on the aggregate of the results that we have at the time when the Selection Committee meets. A final offer will only be made once the final NSC results have been confirmed and the applicant has met the minimum requirements for admission.

No. The NBT is not a requirement for the 2026 intake.

In addition, for those applicants from quintile 1 to 3 schools who attain 50% or higher for Life Orientation, 7 additional points are added to their score out of 600 to arrive at their final AS.

The table below provides an example of how to calculate the AS for:

• Your Applicant Score (AS) is calculated by adding the six best subjects, excluding Life Orientation (LO)
• Write down your subjects and the most recent percentage (%) obtained in each subject (NO Gr 12 March results).
• You MUST include the results for the following four compulsory subjects: English Home Language or English 1^st Additional Language, Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences.
• An applicant who has 7 NSC/IEB subjects:

Equivalency Conversion Table to enable Percentages to be obtained from which an Applicant Score (AS) can be calculated

International/Foreign/NCV level 4 & senior certificate equivalency conversion table

• South African applicants with International, NC(V) level 4 or Foreign School-Leaving certificates, should use the table below to calculate an equivalent Applicant Score (AS) for admission, based on percentages obtained in such certificates.
• Applicants with international or foreign qualifications must also satisfy the requirements laid down by the Matriculation Board to qualify for a certificate of exemption for a particular international or foreign school-leaving qualification. Applications for such certificates must be made to the Matriculation board directly: https://mb.usaf.ac.za/
• Applicants will have to comply with the minimum Applicant Score (AS) set for the UG qualification they wish to apply for, as well as meet any other additional subject requirements directly.
• To calculate your Applicant Score (AS) use the symbols/achievement rating/percentages obtained in your school-leaving examinations to convert them to an equivalent achievement standard on the National Senior Certificate (NSC).
• Your AS is calculated using six subjects, which must include the language(s) and subjects required for admission but excluding LO.

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* It is recommended that the midpoint of the NSC percentage range be used when calculating the AS, as the results of the above qualifications (excluding the NCV Fundamentals) are reported as either a symbol or numeric value.  The range of Subject % exceeds the 100% mark to allow for inclusion of the A Level and IB HL as both qualifications are considered to be at a higher level than the NSC.

** As the Fundamental subjects are considered to be at the same level as the NSC, use the actual percentage obtained by the applicant for Language and Mathematics / Mathematical Literacy.  For the four Vocational Subjects use the values in the relevant column of the table above.

*** A symbol 4 obtained for a NSSC Higher Level / HIGCSE subject is regarded as a pass mark in the equivalent Ordinary or IGCSE level subject except for a First Language subject which becomes a 2^nd language pass if another language is also passed (From: https://mb.usaf.ac.za/paragraph-15/)

Key:

Yes, but please note applicants must fulfil the minimum NSC criteria for entry into the programme.   Additionally, consideration will be given to students who had attended non-fee-paying schools as well as those applicants who are enrolled at Nelson Mandela University in the Faculties of Health Sciences, and relevant Science qualification (e.g. Human Biological Sciences). Applicants will be evaluated on their university academic record.

The applicant must obtain a minimum academic average mark of at least 65% for the previous completed year(s) of the current degree for which they are registered.

If an applicant is in an extended programme they can only apply after the completion of their second academic year of the programme. (Usually after their third chronological year at University).

A candidate must have registered for the full course load for the specific degree.

Applicants still undergoing their undergraduate studies will first be evaluated on their university academic record. First-year applicant's academic performance (who have not yet obtained a full-year academic results) will initially be evaluated on their NSC results as per school leavers .  If an application is successful, a minimum academic average of 65% or above would need to be obtained at the end of the academic year

Yes, but please note that applicants must fulfil the minimum NSC criteria for entry into the programme. Additionally, consideration will be given to students who had attended non-fee paying schools as well as those with a degree from the Health Sciences, or relevant (eg. Human Biological) Science qualification.

Applicants will be evaluated on their university academic record. Preference will be given to those who completed their degree within the minimum time.  Applicants must submit their full academic record.  The applicant must have obtained an academic average of at least 65%

Applicants who have obtained a higher education qualification other than Bachelor degrees must have completed a qualification at NQF level 7 and have achieved a minimum academic average of 75%.

No.  All applicants that are offered a place will need to enter at the MBChB year one level of study and complete all modules in that year one level, irrespective of previous studies or qualifications.  No credits are allowed. 

South African nationals who have pre university studies from outside the Republic of South Africa will be considered. No international applicants will be considered at this stage.

After obtaining the degree, graduates must successfully complete the prescribed period of internship and community service before they may register as an independent Medical Practitioner with the Health Professions Council of South Africa and be permitted to work independently in the public or private sectors.

Yes, students may be accommodated at one of the on-campus Summerstrand residences.

A shuttle service is available for transporting students from North Campus to Missionvale Campus and back every day.  Dedicated transport will be provided from the Faculty of Health Sciences when you work at the different hospitals in Port Elizabeth (and surrounds) in years four to six.

Before registering as a student, you need to determine whether or not you will have sufficient funds to finance your studies. In addition to the actual study programme/module fees, you should also budget for books, equipment, transport, accommodation, and general living expenses which are excluded from your tuition fees.

Estimated fees/costs can be obtained via the following link: General Financial Information

In planning your budget for your studies, the following costs need to be considered:

• Laptop to access learning materials and complete assessments
• HPCSA student registration fees
• Vaccinations
• Uniforms (White coat, scrubs, T-Shirts) as needed
• Equipment costs (e.g. stethoscope)
• Transport