Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is a specialist health sciences university. It organises its programmes into schools rather than faculties, including the Schools of Medicine, Oral Health Sciences, Pharmacy, Health Care Sciences, and Science and Technology. The details below come from SMU's school admission pages and its 2026 fee schedule.
SMU's schools
- School of Medicine: the MBChB, its extended curriculum programme, radiography and emergency medical care programmes
- School of Oral Health Sciences: the Bachelor of Dental Surgery and other oral health programmes
- School of Pharmacy: the Bachelor of Pharmacy
- School of Health Care Sciences: nursing and midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dietetics, speech-language pathology and audiology
- School of Science and Technology: BSc degrees in the life, physical, mathematical and environmental sciences, including extended programmes
First-year fees in 2026
- MBChB: R90,138
- Bachelor of Radiography: R88,079
- BSc in Physiotherapy: R104,580
- BSc in Dietetics: R101,005
- Bachelor of Occupational Therapy: R98,860
- BSc in Life, Physical or Mathematical Sciences: about R88,100 to R88,600
- Bachelor of Nursing Science: R70,923
These include the admin fee and SRC levy. Read more on the SMU fees page.
Admission scores
- MBChB: APS 38
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery: APS 37
- Bachelor of Pharmacy: APS 32
- Nursing and Midwifery, Dietetics and Radiography: APS 25
SMU's APS includes Life Orientation and two extra subjects. See the SMU admission requirements page.
Selection programmes
Every SMU programme is competitive, and selection committees choose students on merit. Medicine and dentistry use pre-selection on Grade 11 results, then final selection on Grade 12 results.
How many places
For the MBChB, SMU offers 245 places in its second phase of selection, in addition to 5 firm offers made during pre-selection. For the BDS, 42 places are offered in the second phase, including 3 firm offers from pre-selection.
Pharmacy selection
For the Bachelor of Pharmacy, SMU calculates each candidate's APS from its own points table and ranks candidates by APS.
Extended programmes
SMU offers extended versions of the MBChB and several BSc degrees, which add a foundation year for students who need more support. The MBChB extended programme is only for Black South African students from quintile 1 and 2 schools.
Who can apply
SMU's medicine, radiography and emergency care programmes are open to South Africans and to SADC nationals from Lesotho and Eswatini only.
Your studies
You may attend lectures, tutorials, practicals and clinical work only for modules you are registered for, and you are responsible for avoiding timetable clashes.
Applying
You may apply for two study choices, and SMU gives priority to first-choice applications. See the how to apply page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SMU have faculties?
No. It organises its programmes into schools, such as the School of Medicine.
How much is the MBChB at SMU?
In 2026, the first year cost R90,138.
Does SMU offer extended programmes?
Yes, for the MBChB and several BSc degrees.