Walter Sisulu University WSU Admission Requirements for Medicine

The curriculum at the Faculty of Health Sciences of Walter Sisulu University is an innovative problem-based and community-based education programme.

This curriculum extends over at least six academic years of full-time study.

All new entrants into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery training programme shall follow the new six-year curriculum.

The old five-year curriculum will apply to pipeline students who are in level 5 of the programme.

Admission Procedure

Due to the structure of this curriculum, admission to MBChB can only be at MBChB I level.

However, under special circumstances, students coming from other medical schools that offer integrated problem-based and community- based programmes, may be considered at levels other than MBChB I, on a case-by-case basis.

National Senior Certificate (NSC)

NSC achievement rating, at the first attempt:

Compulsory Subjects

5 (60-69%) in English at Home Language or First Additional Language

5( 60-69%) in Mathematics 5(60-69%) in Physical Sciences

5 (60-69%) in Life Sciences

5 (60-69%) in two non Life Orientation subjects

Good performance in Grade 11 end-of-year examinations and Grade 12 mid-year/trial examinations will be a recommendation.

Matric must be passed at the first attempt within two years of the closing date of the application.

Applicants with qualifications from countries other than the Republic of South Africa will have their qualifications evaluated by the Joint Matriculation Board (JMB).

The University Admissions Office will communicate with the JMB on this issue.

Candidates with A-levels should have obtained a minimum of 3 principal passes at grades D or better.

Post-Matric Applicants

A limited number of students with appropriate degrees may be considered for admission.

Graduate students are assessed on the basis of their post-matric results as well as their matriculation results.

Matric Compulsory Subjects

4 (50-59%) in English at Home Language or First Additional Language

4 (50-59%) in Mathematics 4(50-59%) in Physical Sciences

4 (50-59%) in Life Sciences

4 (50-59%) in two non Life Orientation subjects

Applicants are assessed with a scoring system that includes the NQF level of post-matric qualification, CESM category of the qualification and the time taken to complete the course (vis-a-vis the duration of the course).

Selection Procedure

A selected number of candidates will be recommended to the Faculty Admissions Committee.

Final Selection for Admission

Academic results and/or performance, as well as sociodemographic scores, will be used for the final selection for admission.

The recommendations of the Faculty Admissions Committee for admission will be final.

The closing date for MBChB applications is 30 September.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the University with official results. No applications will be processed without results.

Grade 11: End-of-year results; Grade 12: June.

Grade 12 final results.

Diploma/Degree end-of-year results.

Registration

All students must register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) at the beginning of their first year of study.

Students will not be allowed to proceed to the second year without HPCSA Registration.

Students who resume their professional studies after an interruption of more than one year are required to renew their registration with the Council.

CURRICULUM – RULES AND DELIVERY

There are small group tutorials, laboratory classes, projects, clinical clerkships, patient presentations, bedside clinical teaching, clinical procedures, grand round presentations, seminars and a few lectures.

The curriculum is student-centred, problem-based, integrated, community-based, has electives and has self-directed learning.

There is early exposure of students to clinical practice, diagnostic disciplines (Chemical Pathology, Haematology, and Radiology) and community-based education.

For more details, please refer to the Faculty’s Prospectus.