Webinar: Pursuing MBBS in India Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM IST FREE
Reserve free seat
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
Free Webinar: MBBS in India
Sat, September 5, 2026 | 7:00 PM
One of South Africa's four major medical schools, in the administrative capital Pretoria, with clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital. UP teaches the 6-year MBChB in English, a comparatively affordable, MBBS-style degree, though with limited places for international students.
5000+ Students trust us
South Africa
Country
Pretoria
City (Gauteng, inland)
MBChB
6-year Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery
English
Medium of instruction
Introduction
The Engineering 1 building at the University of Pretoria's Hatfield main campus, Pretoria
Recognition & Prestige
The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa's largest and strongest research universities, and one of the country's four major medical schools. Its clinical training network and health-research strengths are its core credentials.
A top-5 SA medical school
One of South Africa's four major medical faculties (after UCT, Wits and Stellenbosch)
HPCSA-accredited
MBChB accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa
The University of Pretoria Faculty of Health Sciences, one of South Africa's four major medical schools, offers an MBChB accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa and listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, with clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and partner hospitals. Indian students who intend to practise in India must still meet the National Medical Commission's conditions (see FMGE & NExT).
WDOMS
Listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (confirm the exact FAIMER school ID)
ECFMG (USA)
As a WDOMS-listed school, graduates can pursue ECFMG certification and the USMLE for training in the United States
NMC / India
Indian students may qualify for practice in India via the NMC route (FMGE/NExT), subject to meeting the NMC's conditions — confirm the current rules
Complete Information About Studying Medicine at the University of Pretoria
Get a clear, honest picture of the MBChB pathway, the limited international quota, the real (and comparatively affordable) costs, and whether it fits your family.
Success stories
Hear directly from students who are studying medicine in Europe with futureMBBS.
Academic Excellence
UP offers a solid, English-taught, comparatively affordable, MBBS-style medical education with excellent hospital training in South Africa's capital. These are its real strengths, with the honest trade-offs of the limited international quota and South Africa's safety considerations.
Read all about MBBS abroad in our free brochure
Know exactly what options exist for your medical-career success.
How to Apply
Admission to the UP MBChB is on academic merit, with limited international places. Note that UP reportedly no longer requires the National Benchmark Tests for undergraduate admission (from the 2025 intake). Confirm the exact current process and international quota on up.ac.za.
International school-leavers must have a strong school-leaving qualification (equivalent to the South African NSC) with the required subjects (Mathematics, Physical Science, English and Life Sciences) and a high aggregate; UP medicine is highly competitive.
UP decided not to use the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) for undergraduate programmes from the 2025 intake, so selection rests on academic results. Third-party sources still mention the NBT, so confirm the current requirement directly with UP.
Apply through UP's admissions process, confirming the (limited) international medical quota and meeting Department of Home Affairs requirements for foreign students.
Selection is on academic merit; confirm any additional requirements (such as English-proficiency evidence) for international applicants.
Successful applicants receive an offer and apply for a South African study visa, showing proof of financial means, and pay the international fees.
Indian students who intend to practise in India must have qualified NEET-UG before starting and obtain the NMC Eligibility Certificate; this does not apply if the plan is to practise in South Africa (see FMGE & NExT).
Applicants need a strong school-leaving qualification (equivalent to the South African NSC) with Mathematics, Physical Science, English and Life Sciences and a high aggregate. UP reportedly no longer requires the National Benchmark Tests for undergraduate admission (from the 2025 intake), so academic results carry the weight; confirm the current rule. Indian students who intend to practise in India must also qualify NEET before starting.
Subjects:
There is no unusual age bar; applicants must meet the academic and selection requirements. Indian students planning to return to India should note that the NMC's own rules (including NEET) apply to them.
Applicants need a strong school result with the required subjects, English proficiency and a study visa; Indians intending to practise in India also need NEET and the NMC Eligibility Certificate.
Confirm the International Quota First
Because South Africa prioritises its own citizens for medicine, confirm the (limited) international MBChB quota and eligibility with UP before investing in the application.
Confirm the Test Requirement
UP reportedly dropped the NBT from the 2025 intake, unlike UCT, Wits and Stellenbosch. Confirm in writing whether any admission test applies to you, so you prepare correctly.
UP decided not to use the National Benchmark Tests (NBT) for undergraduate programmes from the 2025 intake, so selection rests on academic results. Confirm the current requirement and any additional assessment for international applicants on the official site.
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic | Strong NSC-equivalent result with Maths, Physical Science, English and Life Sciences and a high aggregate |
| Admissions test | UP reportedly no longer requires the NBT for undergraduate admission (from the 2025 intake) — confirm directly |
| English | English-medium teaching; English-proficiency evidence as required |
| International quota | Limited international MBChB places (South Africa prioritises domestic/SADC applicants) — confirm |
| India-side (if returning) | NEET-UG qualification + NMC Eligibility Certificate for later FMGE/NExT |
Indian applicants typically provide the following for the MBChB application and the South African study visa:
Admission Guidance & Eligibility Check
Get an honest assessment of the limited international quota and help confirming UP's current admission requirements from our team.
Program Structure
The UP MBChB is a six-year, problem-oriented, outcomes-based program taught in English: the first semester is at the Hatfield main campus, after which teaching moves to the Prinshof health-sciences campus, with clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and partner hospitals. Confirm the exact current structure on up.ac.za.
Total Duration:
6 Years (first semester at Hatfield, then the Prinshof health-sciences campus; clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong and Weskoppies)
Degree:
MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, South Africa's equivalent of MBBS) — English-taught and HPCSA-accredited
Years 1–2
The pre-clinical foundation years covering the basic medical sciences with early clinical and communication skills (the first semester is at the Hatfield campus, then Prinshof):
Years 3–4
The middle years integrating mechanisms of disease with clinical training, in UP's problem-oriented, outcomes-based approach:
Year 5
Full clinical rotations through the major disciplines at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong and partner hospitals:
Year 6
The final clinical year consolidating clinical competence as a transition to internship and registration with the HPCSA:
Clinical training takes place at Steve Biko Academic Hospital (a quaternary referral hospital), Kalafong Provincial Tertiary Hospital and Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital, with further training in Mpumalanga (Witbank Hospital) and community settings. In South Africa, graduates complete a two-year internship and a year of community service to register with the HPCSA; Indian graduates who return to India follow the NMC route. An indicative pattern is:
| Phase | Focus |
|---|---|
| MBChB Years 5–6 | Clinical rotations across Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, O&G, Psychiatry, Family Medicine and specialties at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong, Weskoppies and partner hospitals |
| After graduation (South Africa) | A two-year internship plus community service leading to registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa |
| If returning to India | Clear the FMGE/NExT and complete the required internship in India before NMC/State Medical Council registration |
Get the full curriculum
Download a free brochure to understand the MBChB structure, the pathway and everything you need to plan.
Legacy
The University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health Sciences is known more for its clinical training network and health research than for a long list of internationally famous individual graduates. The figures below are verified; where someone is a current UP leader or researcher rather than a famous historic alumnus, that is stated plainly.
Dean of the University of Pretoria's Faculty of Health Sciences (serving a second term) and a professor in Environmental Health in UP's School of Health Systems and Public Health. He directs the UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control and researches reproductive biology and the health effects of environmental exposures.
Deputy Dean for Teaching and Learning in UP's Faculty of Health Sciences and previously Head of the Department of Pharmacology. A prolific researcher in pharmacology, toxicology and traditional medicine, she leads the faculty's teaching and learning strategy.
Graduated MBChB from the University of Pretoria in 1995 and became one of South Africa's best-known medical communicators, presenting health television and co-founding a digital health service giving people affordable access to doctors by phone.
Earned his MBChB at the University of Pretoria before building an international career as a cardiothoracic surgeon in the United States, leading work in cardiac surgery, transplantation and mechanical circulatory support.
UP's medical program is delivered by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Prinshof campus, in partnership with Gauteng's public hospitals. Named leaders are verified as of 2025; reconfirm current office-holders on the official site.
Dean: Professor Tiaan de Jager (environmental health)
Deputy Dean, Teaching & Learning: Professor Vanessa Steenkamp
Director of the UP Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control
One of South Africa's four major medical faculties
Clinical training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong and Weskoppies
English-medium teaching throughout the MBChB
A problem-oriented, outcomes-based curriculum
Guidance on FMGE/NExT vs staying in South Africa
About University
The campus square at the University of Pretoria's Hatfield main campus, with the student centre and administration building, Pretoria
Get all information about studying medicine at the University of Pretoria in our free brochure
Read on to understand the real pathway to the University of Pretoria MBChB.
Role in medicine
The sail-shaped Aula building with its sculpted frieze at the University of Pretoria's Hatfield main campus, Pretoria
Get all information about studying medicine at the University of Pretoria in our free brochure
Read on to understand the real pathway to the University of Pretoria MBChB.
Cost of living
Pretoria is affordable by international standards, and generally a little cheaper than Cape Town. The figures below are indicative monthly living costs for a student and are separate from tuition.
| Cost Component | Approximate Amount (per month) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (residence / shared rental) | ₹17,500 – ₹37,000 |
| Food & Groceries | ₹11,500 – ₹21,000 |
| Transport & Personal | ₹5,500 – ₹13,000 |
| Utilities & Extras | ₹4,600 – ₹11,500 |
Average monthly living cost (excluding tuition)
₹39,000 – ₹82,000
Housing
Students at UP live in university residences (including at or near the Prinshof health-sciences campus), university-accredited housing, or private rentals in Pretoria. Confirm current options and prices with UP's student residence office.
UP has a large residence system, including residences serving the Prinshof health-sciences campus, often the most convenient and secure choice for first-year and international students; places are competitive, so confirm current availability and fees.
UP accredits private student accommodation providers; the University's housing service lists verified, security-conscious options near the campuses.
Students also rent in Pretoria suburbs near Hatfield and Prinshof (Hatfield, Arcadia, Sunnyside, Brooklyn), but should choose secure, well-located housing; confirm the current market.
Pretoria is diverse and English-speaking (alongside Afrikaans and other languages), with a South African Indian community and support networks for international students.
Pretoria has Indian restaurants, halal options and grocery stores, and Johannesburg's large Indian food hubs are about an hour away, so Indian and vegetarian students eat well.
Pretoria sits at high altitude with a mild, sunny climate and is famous for its jacaranda-lined streets, parks and the Union Buildings gardens.
Pretoria living costs are far lower than Australia, New Zealand or the UK; budget for backup power (load-shedding) and reliable transport.
Pretoria generally feels calmer than central Johannesburg, but South Africa has higher crime rates than Australia or New Zealand, so choose secure residences or accredited housing and use reliable transport, especially at night.
Need accommodation details?
Get a full overview of housing options with our university guide, or reach out to an expert.
Food & Dining
100% veg options available. Vegetarian food is easily available in cafeterias, restaurants, grocery stores and university residences in Pretoria. With a South African Indian community locally and Johannesburg's large Indian food hubs about an hour away, Indian and vegetarian students are well served.
Pretoria has Indian restaurants and takeaways across the city (including near university suburbs such as Hatfield and Brooklyn), and Johannesburg's famous Indian food hubs (Fordsburg, Mayfair) are about an hour away.
Location
University of Pretoria, Faculty of Health Sciences, Prinshof Campus, Bophelo Road, Prinshof, Pretoria 0084, South Africa (next to Steve Biko Academic Hospital; the main campus is Hatfield, where MBChB students spend their first semester)
Nearest Airport
O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, about 60 km from Pretoria, with one-stop connections to India via Gulf and African hubs; the Gautrain links the airport to Pretoria. Students need a South African study visa. South Africa (SAST) is 3.5 hours behind Indian time
Local Transport
The Gautrain (rapid rail to Johannesburg and the airport), A Re Yeng bus rapid transit, metered taxis and ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt); UP also runs inter-campus transport between Hatfield and Prinshof. Given safety considerations, use reliable transport, especially at night
Your Roadmap to Success
UP MBChB graduates complete a two-year internship and a year of community service to gain full registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), then pursue specialty training.
Understand the Medical Licensing Pathway
A clear overview of registration in South Africa and the exams needed to practise in India or elsewhere.
Practising in India
An Indian graduate of the University of Pretoria who wants to practise in India follows the National Medical Commission (NMC) route: qualifying NEET before starting, meeting the NMC's foreign-graduate conditions, clearing the screening examination (currently the FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), completing the required internship in India and registering. The 6-year English-medium MBChB maps reasonably to India's rules, but confirm the details — there is no blanket 'NMC approved' status and no FMGE exemption.
Step 1
An Indian student who intends to practise in India must have qualified NEET-UG before beginning the medical program abroad, and obtain the NMC Eligibility Certificate. This applies to the India-return plan; it is not a South African requirement.
Step 2
The Foreign Medical Graduate Licentiate Regulations 2021 set conditions on course-plus-internship duration completed at the same institution, English-medium teaching, and a degree that entitles practice in the country of study. The 6-year English-medium MBChB that entitles practice in South Africa maps reasonably to these conditions, but confirm in writing with the NMC how the South African internship and community-service requirements are counted.
Step 3
Graduates returning to India must clear the qualifying examination (FMGE, transitioning to the NExT), complete the required internship in India, and register with the NMC or a State Medical Council.
Student Life Style
Being a medical student at UP combines a demanding, English-taught MBChB with strong hospital training and life in Pretoria, South Africa's green administrative capital, with the honest reality of South Africa's safety considerations.
Fees & Financial
A genuine advantage of the University of Pretoria is affordability: South African tuition and living costs are far below Australia, New Zealand or the UK. Honest financial planning still matters, and the exact international fee must be confirmed.
South African medical tuition is far below Australia, New Zealand or the UK — domestic MBChB fees at the major South African universities are broadly ₹3.5–5 Lakh per year. International students at UP pay more, but the total remains a fraction of the Australia/NZ/UK level. Confirm the exact international MBChB fee on up.ac.za before deciding.
Ratings
Hear from students and alumni about their experience studying medicine at the University of Pretoria.
4.3
36 reviews
Compare
Compare the University of Pretoria (MBChB) with a leading Indian medical college.
Quick Comparison:
University of Pretoria (MBChB) vs AIIMS New Delhi (MBBS)
| University | University of PretoriaPretoria, South Africa | AIIMS New DelhiNew Delhi, India |
|---|---|---|
| Degree & Entry | MBChB — school-leaver entry on academic results; MBBS-style; English-taught | MBBS — school-leaver entry after Class 12 |
| Medium | English | English |
| Duration | 6 years (first semester Hatfield, then Prinshof; training at Steve Biko Academic Hospital) | 5.5 years including internship |
| Tuition | Domestic medical fees broadly ₹3.5–5 lakh a year; international higher (confirm) but far below Australia/NZ | Nominal (a few thousand rupees per year) |
| Admission | Academic results (UP dropped the NBT from 2025 — confirm); limited international places | NEET-UG (extremely high rank) |
| Recognition | HPCSA-accredited; WDOMS-listed; NMC via FMGE/NExT (confirm) | NMC-recognised |
| Ranking | One of South Africa's four major medical schools (behind UCT, Wits and Stellenbosch for medicine) | India's top medical institute (NIRF #1) |
Compare Top MBBS Universities for Me
See key differences in fees, ranking, eligibility and recognition.
Our blog
Articles that turn complex medicine-abroad rules into simple, practical steps for students and parents.
FAQ
Short, honest answers to the questions Indian students and parents ask most about studying medicine at the University of Pretoria.
Campus photographs supplied by the client: four genuine University of Pretoria views of the Hatfield main campus (the Old Arts Building, the campus square with the student centre and administration building, the sail-shaped Aula, and the Engineering 1 building). The Faculty of Health Sciences itself is at the Prinshof campus, where MBChB students study from their second semester onward. Confirm each image licence before launch.
