Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) traces its origins to the Medical University of South Africa (MEDUNSA), established in 1976 as the Medunsa campus of the University of the North to train Black health professionals during apartheid. Following a 2011 review recommendation, the Medunsa campus was separated from the University of Limpopo and formally promulgated as an independent public university, SMU, in May 2014 (operational from January 2015). It is a specialised public health sciences university located in Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria, Gauteng, with approximately 6,000–7,000 students. SMU is organised into five schools — Medicine, Dentistry (Oral Health Sciences), Pharmacy, Health Care Sciences, and Science and Technology — and is known nationally for training a large share of South Africa's Black health professionals. It has placed in the top tier of South African universities in some 2026 Times Higher Education rankings.
Faculties & Programmes
- School of Medicine: Anaesthesiology, Anatomical Pathology, Chemical Pathology, Forensic Pathology, General Surgery, Microbiology, Medical Physics, Nuclear Medicine, undergraduate MBChB-track training, postgraduate and specialist/masters and doctoral programmes
- School of Pharmacy: Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences (incl. radiopharmacy), Pharmacy Practice, Public Health Pharmacy and Management; Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm), Pharmacist Assistant training, Dispensing course, Master of Pharmacy in above specialisations
- School of Science and Technology: Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Biology and Environmental Sciences, Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Computer Science & Information Technology, Academic Literacy and Science Communication, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, Physics, Statistical Science; BSc and BSc Extended Curriculum Programme, postgraduate diplomas, Master's and Doctoral degrees
- School of Health Care Sciences: Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Nursing Science, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology, Public Health; undergraduate and postgraduate (diploma, Master's, Doctoral) qualifications in each department
- School of Oral Health Sciences (Dentistry): Maxillofacial Surgery, Pathology, Radiology and Orthodontics; Endodontics, Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Oral Health and Community Dentistry; Restorative Dentistry (Operative Dentistry, Prosthodontics); Dental Therapy and Oral Hygiene undergraduate training plus postgraduate specialist dental qualifications
Bursaries That May Apply Here
Based on published eligibility criteria mentioning this institution or its type (public university/university of technology) — always confirm current eligibility directly with the bursary provider before applying.