If you enjoy helping people and are interested in science, a career in medicine might be a good fit for you. The high salary and high status of the profession may entice you to pursue a career as a doctor.
There are a lot of good, science-loving teenagers out there, but the majority of them will never become doctors. What’s required for this to happen? Even if you lack the necessary skills, what can you do?
There are two medical schools in the Western Cape. Both Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town (UCT) have campuses in South Africa. There are five other medical schools in South Africa besides the University of Stellenbosch. The standards for admission to various universities vary widely.
There is a lot of competition for spots. In order to determine your eligibility for admission, each university uses a different formula based on the overall and subject-specific requirements of your matriculation grades. In addition, you are required to take the National Benchmark Examination (NBT).
An admissions point system is used by the University of Cape Town (UCT). Your six matric topics are worth a total of 600 points. Life orientation is not relevant. Your NBT results are worth 300 points. If you write a letter of motivation, you’ll get 100 points. All three of these subjects must be at least 60% correct. You must have a 75% or above average.
If your total points are greater than 880, you are assured an offer. Candidates with fewer total scores may be given a place if they are currently or have been disadvantaged in the past. Still, all applicants must meet the minimal subject prerequisites for consideration. A passing grade is required for all applicants. Actually, 80-90 percent of candidates will have averages in this area. In general, getting into UCT is more difficult than getting into Stellenbosch.
Those who have completed either an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the life sciences or natural sciences at UCT may be admitted directly to the second year of the MBChB degree. Surely, they must have had something to do with it
(a) was accepted into the first year of the MBChB program
At least 60 percent of the students in the two-week pre-registration course were successful in an assessment at the end of that course. (b) completed approved courses in physics, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a combination of these at tertiary level; (c) passed such courses with at least 60 percent and at the first attempt; and, (d) completed basic courses of Afrikaans or Xhosa (or done such subjects in school-leaving level).
Out of 100, Stellenbosch University Stellenbosch gives entrance points. NBTs account for 30% of total points, with non-academic achievements making up the remaining 25%. At the very least, you’ll need a 70 percent overall score. At least half of your grades in math, physics, and life sciences must be over 50%. A majority of applicants will have averages between 75 and 85 percent, which is what most people expect.
After the first year of study, Stellenbosch allows students to transfer from a degree in biological sciences or natural sciences. It is imperative that the relevant first-year courses are taken. There are only 35 spots available, so you’ll have to battle for one. Based on 2016 entrance scores, you have a good chance of getting a spot if your first-year average is at least 85%.
With a particular science degree, you can also apply to WITS for third year medicine. The Graduate Entry Medical Program is the name of this program.
Other Pathways in the Medical Profession
If you don’t have the grades necessary to be considered for a position in medicine, what are your alternatives? Because of this, there are many other excellent possibilities for health studies and medical vocations with lesser academic requirements, including those that do not require physics and accept math literacy as an admissions condition.
The Department of Health at UCT provides degrees in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and audiology, the last of which is a little simpler to enter into than medicine (much easier to get into than medicine).
A degree in Human Physiology is also an option at the bachelor’s level. You won’t be able to treat patients directly with Physiology, but you could be the brains behind disease detection and treatment. At UCT, a scientific degree requires a minimum cumulative grade point average of 70%, with offers likely to be made at a 77% level.
Stellenbosch’s other health options include Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy, all of which are easier to get into than medicine. Occupational or Speech therapy, on the other hand, does not necessitate knowledge of physics. Additionally, Stellenbosch has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Physiology on offer.
You can apply to the University of Western Cape for Dentistry or Pharmacy if you have an average of 60% to 70% (code 5). (UWC).
As a code 4 (50-60%) individual, you are not out of the running! University of Wisconsin–Department Champaign’s of Community and Health Sciences offers a wide range of health-related courses that are easier to get into. These include dietetics, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology (although the marks need to be higher than for pure maths), sport science, and oral health. Click here to learn more about your options.
Codes 3 and 4 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, the department of Health and Wellness Science, offer scores ranging from 40 to 59 percent. Dental, Dental assisting, Emergency Medical, Nursing, Optical Dispensing, Radiography, and Somatology are all available here (skin care).
In addition to Life Science, Math and Physical Science are required in nearly every subject. Additionally, CPUT offers Biotechnology, which focuses on harnessing cellular and biomolecular processes to produce technologies and products that improve human and environmental health.
There are a number of accredited medical schools in South Africa that provide medical education.
The following is a list of other South African medical schools:
The Witwatersrand University
Pretoria University
KwaZulu-Natal University
The Free State University Sisulu College of the University of the South Health Sciences University of Johannesburg Sefako Makgatho South Africa’s Northwest University The Nelson Mandela School of Government
