If you applied to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University for 2027, this is the waiting period. SMU closed undergraduate applications on Friday, 31 July 2026, and its prospectus says pre-selection runs between September and October 2026, using Grade 11 results for current matrics. Final selection follows in January 2027, once the NSC and IEB results are out. SMU does not consider late applications.
SMU teaches nothing but health sciences, from its campus in Ga-Rankuwa, north-west of Pretoria. It began in 2014 when the old Medunsa campus split from the University of Limpopo. Its combined SMU Prospectus 2026/2027 Booklet (PDF) covers the 2027 intake. It runs to 86 pages and covers application questions, every school’s requirements, financial aid and residence. SMU also offers it as a flipbook from its undergraduate applications page.
Why Life Orientation matters at SMU
SMU scores the seven NSC subjects on the usual 1-to-7 achievement levels, but unlike many universities it includes Life Orientation in the total and sets a minimum for it. Each programme prints a minimum per subject plus a required total. Meeting the minimum only gets you into the pool: SMU ranks applicants, and the MBChB in particular is very competitive. The MBChB second phase ranks applicants on their actual percentages in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Life Orientation and English.
Minimum points by degree, from the booklet
- MBChB (p. 13): Mathematics 6, Physical Sciences 6, Life Sciences 6, English 6, one additional subject 5, another 4 and Life Orientation 5, for a total of 38.
- MBChB Extended Curriculum (p. 14): Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Mathematics and English at 5; Life Orientation and two additional subjects at 4; total 32. Only 50 places, reserved for South African Black learners from quintile 1 and 2 schools who could not get into the six-year degree.
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (p. 16): Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences at 6; English and one additional subject at 5; a second additional subject at 4; Life Orientation 5.
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (p. 20): Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English at level 5 each, and BPharm must be your first choice.
- BSc Physiotherapy (p. 26): all seven subjects at 4, including Life Orientation; total 28.
- Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (p. 24): the table lists Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, English and both additional subjects at 4, with Life Orientation 3, for a total of 26.
Some other degrees ask for less on paper. Occupational Therapy and Dietetics total 25, and Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene each total 28. Check the page for your exact degree in the booklet, because several programmes add extra conditions. Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology, for example, ask you to observe professionals at a hospital or practice before selection.
Fee, choices and residence
- Applications opened on Wednesday, 1 April 2026, and the non-refundable fee was R300.
- You could list a first and a second choice only.
- Residence is requested on the same application system; places are limited and handed out first come, first served.
- Successful applicants hear about registration in January 2027.
First-years with a Grade 12 average of 80% or more qualify for a 50% tuition waiver, according to the booklet’s financial aid section. For anything else, SMU asks applicants to email apply@smu.ac.za. Our SMU application walkthrough covers the portal steps, our NSFAS page explains state funding, and the prospectus index lists other universities that offer medicine and allied health degrees.