WSU NBT Requirements 2027: Medicine Entry Guide

The Walter Sisulu University is a public university with campuses in Mthatha, Butterworth, Buffalo City (East London) and Komani (Queenstown) offering undergraduate degrees across several faculties, including the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. 

Prospective medical students often ask whether taking the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) is required to gain entry into the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) for the 2027 academic year.

Are NBTs Compulsory for WSU Medicine Entry in 2027?

No. Walter Sisulu University does not formally require applicants to write the National Benchmark Tests (NBTs) to gain admission into its undergraduate MBChB medical programme for 2027. 

The university’s official admission requirements focus on the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results with a Bachelor’s pass and specific subject achievement levels, as well as the Admission Point Score (APS) calculated from NSC results. 

There is no mention of the NBTs as a mandatory part of the selection process for the MBChB degree in the official undergraduate admission documentation.

List of Faculty Exceptions or Considerations for NBTs

Even though the NBT is not a formal requirement for medicine entry at WSU, here are the situations where NBTs might be considered or relevant:

1. Other South African universities offering medicine may require NBTs. If you plan to apply to multiple universities including those that mandate the NBT, writing the test can be beneficial even if WSU does not require it.
2. Competitive selection scenarios at some institutions use NBT results to rank applicants or to supplement APS when NSC results are borderline. Because WSU does not list the NBT, such usage would apply only to other universities you may consider alongside WSU.
3. Internal placement or development tests may be used by faculties for academic support, but these are separate from the national NBT and do not act as a requirement for admission at WSU.

Comparison Between NBT Scores and APS Scores

At Walter Sisulu University, the Admission Point Score (APS) derived from your National Senior Certificate (NSC) results is the main factor used to assess eligibility for undergraduate programmes, including medicine. 

APS is calculated from your best six subjects (including language and necessary compulsory subjects) based on a point conversion system. 

WSU sets different APS and subject minimum requirements for various programmes. 

For example, the MBChB programme often requires higher achievement levels in key subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences.

In contrast, NBT scores are not used in the APS calculation at WSU because NBTs are not required by the university for medicine entry. 

This means WSU bases admission decisions on the strength of your NSC results alone, using APS and subject requirements for selection. 

If you write the NBT for other universities, your results remain separate and are not factored into WSU’s APS or official selection process.

Here is how they differ:

• APS scores are based on actual matric exam performance and determine whether you meet WSU’s minimum academic requirements for medicine entry.
• NBT scores are national tests that assess academic literacy, quantitative literacy and mathematics ability for some universities. Because WSU does not require them, they do not affect your admission score at this institution.

How to Register for the National Benchmark Tests (NBT)

Even though WSU does not require NBTs, you may choose to take them if you are applying to other universities that do. Follow these steps to register for the NBTs:

1. Visit the official National Benchmark Test Project website and access the registration portal.
2. Create an account using your personal details and a valid email address.
3. Select the relevant tests: All applicants should register for Academic and Quantitative Literacy (AQL). If other universities require it or you want to demonstrate maths competence, also register for the Mathematics (MAT) test.
4. Choose a test date and test centre: NBTs are offered multiple times throughout the year at centres across South Africa.
5. Pay the registration fee as specified on the NBT portal.
6. Use your NBT reference number on your applications to other universities that require or accept NBT results.

NBT results are valid for more than one admission cycle, so you typically only need to write them once if applying to multiple universities.

How to Apply to WSU for Medicine in 2027

To apply to Walter Sisulu University for the MBChB or other health sciences programmes for the 2027 academic year:

1. Go to the official WSU online application portal at applications.wsu.ac.za and create your applicant profile.
2. Complete the application form with your personal and academic details, including your NSC or Grade 12 results.
3. Ensure you meet the programme’s subject and APS requirements. For medicine, this generally includes strong achievement levels in English, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, often with higher NSC ratings (for example, 60–69% across these subjects).(turn0search19)
4. Submit your application before the deadline, which is usually 30 September for health science programmes.
5. Track your application status through the WSU portal and respond to any requests for additional documentation or interviews.

WSU assesses all new applicants based on their academic qualifications and may have selection processes involving performance and quotas for some programmes.

Bursaries for WSU Medical Applicants

Medical students planning to study at WSU can consider several financial support options:

1. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funds eligible South African students to cover tuition, accommodation and allowances, especially for professional degrees like medicine.
2. WSU Financial Aid Office bursaries provide support based on need and academic merit.
3. Faculty-specific bursaries may be available for students in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
4. External scholarships and trusts from private organisations may offer bursaries for medical studies.

Students should frequently check both the WSU bursary pages and financial aid portals for updated eligibility criteria, application deadlines and documentation requirements.