Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) is South Africa’s only university devoted entirely to the health sciences. SMU is based in Ga-Rankuwa, north-west of Pretoria in Gauteng, and trains doctors, dentists, pharmacists, nurses and allied health professionals. SMU’s vision is “transforming health services through excellence and innovation”.

Registered name

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)

Type

Public university (health sciences)

Website

smu.ac.za

From Medunsa to SMU

SMU grew out of the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa), which later became the Medunsa campus of the University of Limpopo. In 2011 the Minister of Higher Education and Training announced his intention to separate the Medunsa campus, following recommendations of a task team led by Professor Malegapuru Makgoba. The minister then established SMU under the Higher Education Act, in a Government Gazette notice of 16 May 2014.

The university is named after Sefako Mapogo Makgatho, the second president of the South African Native National Congress, the forerunner of the ANC.

Community-rooted health training

SMU’s mission commits it to primary health care-oriented education and research, evidence-based curricula rooted in communities, interdisciplinary training, and health professionals able to address the needs of individuals, families and communities. SMU students put that into practice: fourth-year occupational therapy students support community-based services, and SMU was ranked among the world’s top 200 universities for health and quality education.

Research and postgraduate funding

SMU’s Research Directorate focuses on multidisciplinary research into the quadruple burden of disease facing South Africa: HIV and TB, maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases and injuries. The directorate supports publications, research grants, ethics review through the SMU Research Ethics Committee, technology transfer and postgraduate funding. Its postgraduate funding office tells honours, master’s and doctoral students about national and international bursaries and liaises with funders.

Financial aid

SMU’s Financial Aid Office helps students access tertiary education, although not every student qualifies, since aid is granted on financial and academic criteria. The office guides students through NSFAS, which covers qualifying students from poor and working-class families, and reminds SASSA grant recipients that they do not need to submit proof of income.

An early July cut-off at SMU

SMU opened 2027 applications on 1 April 2026. Undergraduate programmes, including most health science degrees, closed on 31 July 2026, and most postgraduate programmes close at the end of August 2026. Because SMU sets programme-specific scores, read the APS guide below for your chosen degree.

Competing for a health sciences place

Health sciences programmes are highly competitive, so compare the APS and subject requirements for each programme early, and apply to more than one university.

See our medicine bursaries list for health funding.