Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Overview

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, located in Ga-Rankuwa, near Pretoria, specializes in health sciences education and training. Established in 2015, it is one of the newer institutions in South Africa but has quickly gained a strong reputation for producing skilled healthcare professionals.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate: APS scores ranging from 26 to 34, with subject-specific requirements for courses like Nursing, Medicine, and Dentistry.
Postgraduate: A relevant undergraduate degree, and some programs may require a research proposal or work experience.

Typical Courses

Undergraduate Courses:
- Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Biomedical Sciences.
Postgraduate Courses:
- Master’s and PhD programs in public health, medical science, and allied health fields.

Qualifications

Undergraduate: Bachelor’s degrees (e.g., MBChB, BDS, BSc in Nursing).
Postgraduate: Master’s and PhD degrees in Health Sciences.

Study Years

Undergraduate: 5-6 years for medical and dental programs, 3-4 years for Nursing and other health sciences degrees.
Postgraduate: Master’s degrees typically take 2 years, while PhDs can take 3-4 years.

Fees

Undergraduate tuition fees range from R35,000 to R55,000 per year, with postgraduate fees varying depending on the program.

Careers

Graduates can pursue careers in:

Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, and Healthcare Administration.

Benefits

Specializes in health sciences, providing high-quality education in the medical field.
Growing recognition in the healthcare sector.
Modern facilities for practical training in healthcare.

Drawbacks

Limited diversity in academic offerings compared to more generalist institutions.
Newer university with less established alumni networks.