Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, known as SMU, is South Africa's dedicated health sciences university. It is based in Ga-Rankuwa, north of Pretoria, next to Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. It opened as SMU on 1 January 2015, but its roots go back to the Medical University of Southern Africa, founded in 1976.

About SMU

The campus started life as the Medical University of Southern Africa, known as MEDUNSA. In 2005, MEDUNSA merged into the University of Limpopo. It was later uncoupled from that university and reconstituted as SMU, which opened its doors on 1 January 2015.

The university is named after Sefako Makgatho, a respected anti-apartheid leader and a former president of the African National Congress.

What you can study

SMU focuses entirely on health. It trains medical doctors, nurses, dentists and oral health workers, pharmacists, public health professionals and scientists. The university has five schools, including a School of Pharmacy that began in 1983 as a school within MEDUNSA's medical faculty. Its location beside a large academic hospital gives students early clinical exposure.

Applying to SMU

For the 2027 intake, SMU opened applications on 1 April 2026, and the university's news pages pointed to a closing date of 31 July. SMU does not accept late applications, so you cannot submit after the closing date. Some postgraduate programmes, such as the MSc in Clinical Psychology, have their own earlier deadlines.

The application fee is R300 for online applications and R200 for paper applications, and neither is refundable. You can make two study choices, and you pay only one fee for both.

Fees and funding

Health sciences degrees are long and often costly, so plan your funding early. Qualifying students can apply for NSFAS, and provincial health departments, such as those in Gauteng and Limpopo, fund medical and nursing students. Browse our bursaries for options in the medical field.

Is SMU right for you?

SMU suits students who are sure that they want a career in health. Since entry to programmes such as medicine is competitive, apply before the end of July in your matric year, and choose a realistic second option.

Before you apply to SMU

Check the admission requirements for your programme, because medicine and other health degrees ask for strong results in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences. Use both of your study choices, and pick a second option that you would be happy to study. Prepare your documents before you start the online form, since you cannot submit after the closing date. Keep your application number for tracking your outcome.