Medical Practice (MBChB)

By the end, you have strong science foundations, understand how medical school works, and have a realistic plan to apply. This path prepares you for study; it does not qualify you to practise.

Career pathwayAbout 100 hours3 stagesFree

0%complete

Career pathway. This is a regulated career. Online learning gives you strong foundations and a clear plan, but you will need to study and register formally to work in it. The route is explained on this page.

Lessons play here, from free YouTube courses.

Choose a lessonOpen on YouTube

Doctors diagnose and treat illness. Medicine is a six-year degree (MBChB) followed by internship and community service, and doctors register with the HPCSA. Entry is very competitive.

Turn on JavaScript to track your progress. The lessons are:FoundationsBuild science foundations in biology, chemistry and the human body.Task: Make summary notes for each body system and test yourself with free practice questions every week for a month.Core skillsUnderstand medicine, ethics and health care in South Africa.Task: Volunteer or job-shadow in a clinic or hospital if possible. Write a reflection on what doctors and nurses actually do and the ethical choices you saw.Applied practicePrepare your application.Task: List all South African medical schools, their admission requirements, the NBT (National Benchmark Test) dates and bursary options, and draft your personal statement.

Your plan

My weekly pace

Study streak: 0 days

Ask a friend to hold me to it

Want a mentor to check in each week? Join check-ins.

What competent looks like

Strong grasp of biology and chemistry
Understands patient confidentiality and ethics
Knows the NBT and admission process
Has seen real health care work
Has a realistic study and funding plan

The South African route

Apply to an MBChB programme (most need high NSC marks in Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, plus the NBT). After graduating, complete internship and community service and register with the HPCSA.

Free resources

Registration and professional boards
HPCSA
National Benchmark Tests
NBT

These links go to free courses and sites run by other organisations. We chose them in October 2026 but do not run them, so check costs, dates and entry requirements on their site. Broken link? Tell us.

Jobs it can lead to

Medical student
Clinical assistant
Community health worker
Health science student