UKZN Medicine APS Requirements 2026 | MBChB Admission

Quick Answer: UKZN Medicine (MBChB) requires a minimum APS of 38 in 2026, with Mathematics 6+, Physical Sciences 6+, and Life Sciences 5+. NBT tests (Academic Literacy and Quantitative Literacy) are also required. Apply by September 30 via the UKZN online portal.

UKZN Medicine APS Requirements 2026

The University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) offers one of South Africa's most highly regarded Medicine programmes. The MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) degree at UKZN's Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine is a 6-year programme that trains doctors to serve South Africa and the continent.

This guide covers all UKZN Medicine admission requirements for 2026, including APS, NBT, subject requirements, and the application process.

Use our free APS Calculator to check your eligibility instantly.

UKZN Medicine (MBChB) Requirements at a Glance

Requirement	Details
Minimum APS	38 (Life Orientation excluded)
Mathematics	Level 6 (70%+)
Physical Sciences	Level 6 (70%+)
Life Sciences	Level 5 (60%+)
English	Level 5 (60%+)
NBT Tests	Academic Literacy (AL) and Quantitative Literacy (QL) required
Programme Duration	6 years (MBChB)
Campus	Howard College, Durban (Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine)
Application Deadline	September 30

How UKZN Calculates APS for Medicine

UKZN calculates APS from your six best NSC subjects, excluding Life Orientation (which is counted at half value or excluded). The standard APS conversion is:

Percentage (%)	APS Points
80–100%	7
70–79%	6
60–69%	5
50–59%	4
40–49%	3
30–39%	2
0–29%	1

For Medicine, UKZN requires a minimum APS of 38 (from six subjects excluding Life Orientation). This means most of your subjects need to be in the 70%+ range.

Subject Requirements for UKZN Medicine

Beyond the minimum APS, UKZN Medicine requires specific subjects at specific performance levels:

• Mathematics: Level 6 (70%+) — Mathematical Literacy is NOT accepted for Medicine
• Physical Sciences: Level 6 (70%+)
• Life Sciences (Biology): Level 5 (60%+)
• English: Level 5 (60%+)
• Two additional subjects at competitive levels to reach APS 38+

Important: Achieving the minimum APS of 38 does NOT guarantee admission. UKZN Medicine receives far more applications than available places. Most admitted students have APS scores well above 38, with strong NBT results.

NBT Requirements for UKZN Medicine

All applicants to UKZN Medicine are required to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBT):

• Academic Literacy (AL) — tests reading comprehension and academic language
• Quantitative Literacy (QL) — tests numerical and graphical reasoning

Register for NBT tests at www.nbt.ac.za. Tests are held at centres across South Africa from March to October. Write the NBT as early as possible — results are valid for multiple applications.

How Competitive is UKZN Medicine?

UKZN Medicine is among the most competitive undergraduate programmes in South Africa. Key facts:

• UKZN's Medical School accepts approximately 200–250 students per year for MBChB
• Thousands of applications are received annually
• Admission is based on APS, NBT performance, and equity considerations
• The average successful applicant typically has an APS of 40+ with very strong NBT results

Comparing UKZN Medicine with Other SA Medical Schools

University	Min APS (approx)	NBT Required	Duration
UKZN	38	Yes	6 years
University of Cape Town (UCT)	Composite score ~42+	Yes	6 years
University of Pretoria (UP)	34 (UP score)	Yes	6 years
Wits University	44	Yes	6 years
Stellenbosch University (SU)	36+	Yes	6 years
University of the Free State (UFS)	36+	Yes	6 years
University of Limpopo (Medunsa/Sefako)	30+	No	6 years
Walter Sisulu University (WSU)	28+	No	6 years

How to Apply for UKZN Medicine 2026

1. Register for NBT: Visit www.nbt.ac.za and register for AL and QL tests. Write early (March–June if possible)
2. Check your APS: Use our APS Calculator to confirm you meet the minimum of 38
3. Apply online: Submit your application via the UKZN online application portal at www.ukzn.ac.za
4. Apply early: Applications typically open April 1 and close September 30. Apply as early as possible
5. Application fee: Approximately R270 (check the UKZN website for the current fee)

NSFAS Bursary for Medicine at UKZN

NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) covers MBChB at UKZN for qualifying students. Key facts:

• You must have a combined household income below R350,000 per year
• NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and transport
• Apply at www.nsfas.org.za from October each year
• The Department of Health also offers bursaries for medical students who commit to working in the public sector after qualifying

Preparing for Medicine While in Grade 12

If you're aiming for Medicine at UKZN, you need to push for top marks in your critical subjects:

• Mathematics: Aim for 80%+ (APS 7). A strong maths foundation is essential for the science content in Medicine
• Physical Sciences: Aim for 70%+ (APS 6). Chemistry and Physics underpin much of first-year Medicine
• Life Sciences: Aim for 70%+ (APS 6). Life Sciences is directly applicable to biological sciences in the MBChB curriculum
• English: Aim for 65%+ (APS 5+). Medical training requires strong reading and communication skills

Struggling to reach APS 38? StudyBuddy's AI tutor helps Grade 10–12 students improve in Mathematics, Sciences, and all CAPS subjects. Most students see 15–25% improvement within weeks. Start free — no credit card required.