Faculty of Health Sciences
- About Faculty of Health Sciences
- Message from the Dean
- History of Faculty of Health Sciences
- Programmes
- PhD in Health Sciences
- Academic Health Service Complex
- Teaching Platform
- Community Engagement
- Research
- Linkages - National and International
- Prospective Students
- Regulations for Registered Students
- General Information
- Health Sciences Resource Centre
- Degrees and Postgraduate Diplomas offered by Faculty
- Undergraduate Degrees
- Postgraduate Dip & Degrees
- Postgraduate Diploma: Chemical Pathology
- Postgraduate Diploma: Health Promotion
- Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Medical Microbiology)
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Biochemistry)
- Bachelor of Science (Hons) (Physiological Sciences)
- Master of Science in Medical Microbiology
- Master of Science in Medical Biochemistry
- Master of Science In Physiological Sciences
- Master of Public Health
- Master of Nursing
- Master of Science in Health Promotion
- Master of Medicine (M Med)
- Special Programmes
- Health Sciences Research Ethics & Biosafety Committee
BACHELOR OF MEDICINE AND BACHELOR OF SURGERY (MBChB)
- 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.