Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Admission Requirements for 2028 Application
If you are planning to apply to Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) for the 2028 academic year, understanding the admission requirements is an important first step.
SMU is a specialised South African university focused on health sciences and related fields. Its undergraduate programmes include medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, dietetics and various science programmes. The university has five schools: Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Health Care Sciences, and Science and Technology.
Unlike universities where a general minimum APS may apply to most programmes, SMU uses programme-specific admission and selection requirements. This means that the APS score and subjects required for Medicine can be substantially different from those required for a BSc, Nursing, Pharmacy or another health sciences qualification.
It is also important to understand that meeting the minimum requirements does not automatically guarantee admission. SMU states that it receives more applications than the number of places available and that applications undergo a competitive selection process based on merit.
This guide explains the expected SMU admission requirements for 2028, including APS scores, subject requirements, major programmes, Grade 11 pre-selection, application documents, international applicants and practical tips for prospective students.
Applicants should check out SMU Fees
See Also: SMU Scholarships and Bursaries
What Are the SMU Admission Requirements for 2028?
For the 2028 application cycle, prospective undergraduate students should expect SMU to consider several factors, depending on the programme.
These may include:
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification
- Bachelor-level endorsement where required
- Admission Point Score (APS)
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- Life Orientation
- Other prescribed subjects
- Grade 11 results for programmes using pre-selection
- Final Grade 12 results
- Academic performance
- Availability of places
- Programme-specific selection criteria
- Matriculation exemption or equivalent documentation for qualifying applicants
SMU specifically states that selection is competitive and based on academic performance. The university also reserves the right to amend its admission requirements in accordance with approved university rules.
Therefore, applicants should not rely on a general statement such as “you need 30 APS to enter SMU.” The correct APS requirement depends on the programme.
SMU Admission Requirements at a Glance
The latest SMU admission information shows significant differences between programmes.
| Programme | Current Minimum APS/Requirement Used by SMU |
|---|---|
| MBChB Medicine | 38 APS |
| BDS Dentistry | 37 APS |
| BPharm Pharmacy | 32 APS |
| BSc normal | 25 APS |
| BSc Extended Curriculum Programme | 24 APS |
| Nursing and Midwifery | 25 APS |
| BSc Dietetics | 25 APS |
| BSc Physiotherapy | 28 APS |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 25 APS |
| Audiology | 25 APS |
These figures are based on SMU’s currently published admission and selection information and should not be treated as guaranteed 2028 thresholds. Highly competitive programmes may select applicants with results considerably stronger than the stated minimum.
SMU APS Score Requirements
The Admission Point Score (APS) is one of the most important factors used by SMU in selecting applicants.
However, SMU does not apply exactly the same APS calculation or minimum score to every programme.
For example, the current BPharm requirements use an APS scale in which marks of 90–100% attract 8 points, 80–89% attract 7 points, 70–79% attract 6 points, 60–69% attract 5 points and 50–59% attract 4 points.
For Medicine and Dentistry, SMU also publishes programme-specific APS equivalency tables for applicants with qualifications such as IGCSE, GCSE, A-Level and International Baccalaureate qualifications.
Why your APS matters
A high APS can make an applicant more competitive, particularly for programmes with limited places.
However, APS alone is not enough. Some programmes require specific marks in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English.
For example, an applicant might have a high overall APS but still fail to satisfy the subject requirement for Pharmacy if the applicant does not achieve the required level in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences or English.
See List of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University Courses
SMU Medicine Admission Requirements for 2028
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) is among SMU’s most competitive programmes.
According to the university’s current admission information, prospective MBChB students undergo a phased selection process.
Minimum current requirements for MBChB pre-selection
| Subject | Minimum APS Points |
|---|---|
| English | 6 |
| Mathematics | 6 |
| Physical Science | 6 |
| Life Sciences | 6 |
| Additional Subject 1 | 5 |
| Additional Subject 2 | 4 |
| Life Orientation | 5 |
| Total APS | 38 |
SMU currently uses final Grade 11 results for the initial pre-selection process. A candidate who is pre-selected is not automatically guaranteed admission. Final Grade 12 performance is used to determine final selection.
For final selection from the general pool, applicants must currently achieve at least 38 APS and compete according to their actual marks in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Life Orientation and English.
What this means for 2028 applicants
If Medicine is your goal, do not aim merely to reach the minimum. Because SMU has limited places and uses competitive selection, applicants should aim for excellent marks across the key subjects.
SMU Dentistry Admission Requirements for 2028
SMU’s Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme also has a highly competitive selection process.
The current minimum requirements for BDS pre-selection are:
| Subject | Minimum APS Points |
|---|---|
| English | 5 |
| Mathematics | 6 |
| Physical Science | 6 |
| Life Sciences | 6 |
| Additional Subject 1 | 5 |
| Additional Subject 2 | 4 |
| Life Orientation | 5 |
| Total APS | 37 |
SMU currently uses Grade 11 results for provisional pre-selection. The university explains that maintaining or improving performance in Grade 12 is important because final admission depends on Grade 12 results and the applicant’s position relative to other candidates.
For final selection, applicants currently need a minimum APS of 37 and compete using actual marks in Mathematics, Physical Science, Life Sciences and English, with Life Orientation used as a denominator in a tie.
Because only a limited number of places are available, achieving 37 APS should be viewed as a minimum eligibility threshold rather than a guaranteed admission score.
SMU Pharmacy Admission Requirements for 2028
The Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme requires strong performance in science-related subjects.
SMU currently requires an overall minimum APS of 32, with the following subject requirements:
| Subject | Minimum APS Points |
|---|---|
| Life Sciences | 5 |
| Mathematics | 5 |
| Physical Sciences | 5 |
| English | 5 |
| Life Orientation | 4 |
| Additional Subject 1 | 4 |
| Additional Subject 2 | 4 |
| Total | 32 |
SMU indicates that Accounting and Economics are preferred for the two additional subjects. The university also ranks eligible candidates according to their APS because the programme has a limited number of places.
Applicants should therefore ensure that they do not only meet the 32-point minimum but also perform competitively across the required subjects.
SMU BSc Admission Requirements for 2028
SMU’s School of Science and Technology offers several BSc pathways.
The normal BSc programmes include:
- BSc Life Sciences
- BSc Mathematical Sciences
- BSc Physical Sciences
- BSc Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences
For the normal BSc, SMU currently requires:
- An NSC with Bachelor endorsement
- Minimum APS of 25
- English: minimum APS 4
- Mathematics: minimum APS 5
- Life Sciences: minimum APS 4
- Physical Sciences: minimum APS 4
- Two other NSC subjects: minimum APS 4 each
The university also applies additional subject requirements when students enter particular BSc streams. For example, the Life Sciences stream requires a minimum Life Sciences score of 5, while Mathematical Sciences requires Mathematics at 5 and Physical Sciences requires Physical Science at 5.
SMU BSc Extended Curriculum Programme Requirements
Students who do not meet the normal BSc requirements may be interested in SMU’s BSc Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) where applicable.
The current requirements include:
- NSC with Bachelor endorsement
- Minimum APS of 24
- English: 4
- Mathematics: 4
- Life Sciences: 4
- Physical Sciences: 4
- Two additional NSC subjects with the required achievement
The extended BSc pathway includes Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences and Physical Sciences options.
Applicants should nevertheless confirm whether the specific extended programme will be offered for the 2028 intake.
SMU Nursing Admission Requirements for 2028
For the Bachelor of Nursing and Midwifery (BNAM), the current minimum requirement is an APS of 25.
The prescribed subjects currently include:
- Life Sciences – 4
- Mathematics – 4
- Physical Sciences – 4
- English/Language of Learning – 4
- Additional Subject 1 – 3
- Additional Subject 2 – 3
- Life Orientation – 3
SMU also indicates that applicants must have an NSC endorsed for bachelor’s degree study or an equivalent school-leaving certificate with the appropriate exemption.
Nursing students also have professional registration requirements. SMU currently requires students to register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as student nurses within the specified period after admission.
SMU Physiotherapy Admission Requirements
The current SMU requirements for the BSc Physiotherapy programme specify a minimum APS of 28.
The published requirements include a minimum score of 4 in:
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Physical Science
- Language of Learning
The current admission page also includes Life Orientation and additional subjects in the APS calculation.
Physiotherapy is a competitive health sciences programme, so applicants should aim above the minimum whenever possible.
SMU Dietetics Admission Requirements
For the BSc Dietetics programme, the current minimum APS is 25.
The published subject requirements are:
- Mathematics – 4
- Physical Sciences – 4
- English – 4
- Life Sciences – 4
- Life Orientation – 3
- Additional Subject 1 – 3
- Additional Subject 2 – 3
The university states that only a limited number of applicants can be admitted and that students are selected on merit.
SMU Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Requirements
Applicants interested in Speech-Language Pathology currently require a minimum APS of 25.
The current requirements include:
- Mathematics – 4
- English – 4
- Life Sciences – 4
- A home or first additional language – 4
- Life Orientation – 3
- Two additional subjects – 3 each
The Bachelor of Audiology also currently uses a minimum APS of 25 with prescribed subject requirements.
Does SMU Accept Grade 11 Results?
Yes. Grade 11 results are particularly important for some highly competitive SMU programmes because the university uses them for pre-selection.
Medicine and Dentistry are examples where Grade 11 performance plays a role in the provisional selection process.
However, students should not assume that a Grade 11 pre-selection offer means that admission is final.
For programmes using phased selection, applicants generally need to maintain or improve their performance in Grade 12. A significant decline in results can affect the applicant’s selection status.
Does Meeting the Minimum SMU APS Guarantee Admission?
No.
This is perhaps the most important point for prospective applicants.
SMU’s official FAQ explicitly states that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee automatic admission because the university receives more applications than the number of places available. Applications undergo a rigorous and competitive selection process, with offers based on merit.
For Medicine and Dentistry, SMU’s admission rules demonstrate how competitive the process can be. Candidates meeting the minimum requirements still compete against other qualifying applicants for a limited number of spaces.
Therefore, students should think of an APS requirement as a minimum eligibility threshold, not an admission guarantee.
Documents Required for an SMU 2028 Application
The latest SMU application instructions require applicants to upload relevant certified documents.
For undergraduate applications, these include:
- Certified copy of South African ID or passport
- Certified Grade 11 end-of-year results for current Grade 12 learners
- National Senior Certificate or matric certificate for applicants who have completed Grade 12
- Certified academic records where applicable
- Proof of payment of the application fee
- Other programme-specific documents where required
SMU states that applications will not be processed if required documentation has not been submitted.
Applicants should therefore prepare their documents well before applications open.
SMU Application Fee
According to the latest official SMU application information, applicants are required to pay a non-refundable R300 application fee.
Because fees and application procedures can change between admission cycles, applicants for 2028 should verify the amount on the official SMU application page when the 2028 application cycle opens.
How to Apply to SMU for 2028
The current SMU application process is online.
A prospective applicant should generally follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose your programme
Research the programme you want to study and make sure you understand its subject and APS requirements.
Step 2: Check your subjects
Confirm that you have Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, English or other subjects required for your chosen qualification.
Step 3: Calculate your APS
Use the SMU programme-specific scoring system to estimate your APS.
Step 4: Prepare your documents
Have your certified ID/passport and academic results ready.
Step 5: Select your choices carefully
SMU’s latest application instructions allow applicants to select two study choices, with the first selected qualification treated as the first choice and the second as the second choice.
Step 6: Complete the online application
Enter your information accurately and upload the required documentation.
Step 7: Pay the application fee
Pay the prescribed non-refundable application fee using the payment instructions supplied by SMU.
Step 8: Submit the application
Applicants should complete the application through to the final submission stage. Simply creating an application or entering information does not mean that the application has been submitted.
SMU 2028 Application Opening and Closing Dates
The 2028 SMU application dates have not yet been officially published.
For context, SMU’s current 2027 application cycle opened on 1 April 2026, with undergraduate applications closing on 31 July 2026. These dates are useful for planning but should not be presented as the official 2028 dates.
Prospective 2028 applicants should therefore monitor SMU’s official application announcements and undergraduate prospectus.
Do not wait until the final day to apply. SMU itself encourages applicants to submit applications before the closing date because late applications cannot be submitted after the deadline.
SMU Admission Requirements for International Applicants
SMU also considers certain international applicants, including eligible applicants from Southern African Development Community countries.
The rules differ according to the programme and qualification.
For example, SMU’s Medicine admission information identifies specific eligibility for certain SADC applicants, while Dentistry and Pharmacy also provide requirements for applicants with non-South African qualifications.
Applicants with international qualifications may need:
- A recognised school-leaving qualification
- Appropriate subject results
- Matriculation exemption where required
- SAQA-related documentation where applicable
- Passport or identification documents
- Additional documents requested by SMU
International applicants should not assume that their country’s grading system can be converted directly to the South African APS system. SMU publishes equivalency information for several international qualifications and applicants should follow the university’s specific instructions.
Important Tips for SMU 2028 Applicants
1. Aim above the minimum APS
The published minimum does not guarantee admission. A stronger academic record can improve your competitiveness.
2. Take Mathematics seriously
Mathematics is an important requirement for many SMU programmes, particularly Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Science.
3. Focus on Physical Sciences and Life Sciences
If you want a health sciences career, these subjects are especially important for many SMU programmes.
4. Protect your Grade 11 results
For programmes such as Medicine and Dentistry, Grade 11 results can be used for pre-selection.
5. Maintain strong Grade 12 performance
A decline in your Grade 12 results can affect a provisional selection outcome.
6. Choose your first-choice programme strategically
Some programmes are extremely competitive. Make sure you understand the selection process before applying.
7. Submit complete documentation
Missing documents can prevent your application from being processed.
8. Do not wait for the deadline
Applications can become stressful when documents, payments and online submissions are left until the final day.
9. Check official SMU information regularly
Admission requirements can change. SMU explicitly notes that its rules and admission requirements are subject to amendments.
Frequently Asked Questions About SMU Admission Requirements for 2028
What APS score is required to study at SMU in 2028?
There is no single APS score for every SMU programme. Current published minimums range from approximately 24 for selected BSc Extended Curriculum programmes to 38 for MBChB Medicine. Other programmes have their own requirements.
What APS do I need for Medicine at SMU?
The current minimum APS for the SMU MBChB selection process is 38, with strong subject requirements in English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.
What APS do I need for Dentistry at SMU?
The current minimum APS for BDS is 37, with Mathematics, Physical Science and Life Sciences requiring particularly strong performance.
What APS do I need for Pharmacy at SMU?
The current minimum APS for BPharm is 32, with minimum APS scores of 5 in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English.
Does SMU accept Grade 11 results?
Yes. Grade 11 results are used in the pre-selection process for some competitive programmes, including Medicine and Dentistry. Final Grade 12 results are subsequently used for final selection.
Does meeting the SMU minimum requirements guarantee admission?
No. SMU clearly states that meeting minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission because the number of applicants can exceed the available places.
How many programmes can I apply for at SMU?
The latest SMU application instructions allow applicants to select two study choices. Applicants should check the 2028 application instructions in case this policy changes.
When will SMU 2028 applications open?
The official 2028 opening date has not yet been published. The latest cycle opened on 1 April 2026 for 2027 entry, but applicants should wait for SMU’s official 2028 announcement rather than assuming the same date will apply.
Final Thoughts on SMU Admission Requirements for 2028
The Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University admission requirements for 2028 will ultimately depend on the programme selected and the official requirements published for the 2028 academic year.
The latest SMU information shows that programmes such as Medicine and Dentistry have very high academic thresholds, while Pharmacy, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dietetics, Audiology, Speech-Language Pathology and BSc programmes have their own APS and subject requirements.
The biggest mistake prospective applicants can make is assuming that meeting the minimum APS guarantees admission. SMU’s selection process is competitive, and the university has limited spaces in many programmes.
Students planning to apply for SMU in 2028 should therefore begin preparing early. Focus on achieving strong Grade 11 and Grade 12 results, particularly in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences and English where these subjects are required. Prepare certified documents, monitor the application opening date and check the official SMU prospectus when it becomes available.