Study at UKZN

About the School of Medicine 

The Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine (NRMSM) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is well established for over 60 years and produces medical students of high calibre. 

The medical school has a strong focus on rural health including  a partnership with the local Department of Health which offers students opportunities to experience rural health care delivery.  

Undergraduate Medical Education 

NRMSM offers a six year course leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB).   

All graduates are required to meet the criteria of the Health Professions Council of South Africa before they are allowed to register as Medical Practitioners under South African law. 

Post Graduate Medical Education 

Masters of Medicine degrees (M.Med) are offered in Anaesthetics, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Chemical Pathology, Anatomical Pathology, Dermatology, Forensic Pathology, Haematology, Medical Microbiology, Medicine, Family Medicine, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Occupational Medicine, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics, Paediatric Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Public Health Medicine, Psychiatry, Radiology, Radiotherapy and Oncology, Surgery, Urology and Virology. 

Research-based Masters of Medical Science degrees are offered in Clinical HIV/AIDS Management, Medical Informatics, and Telemedicine.

Post-graduate diplomas are offered in Occupational Health, Clinical HIV/AIDS Management, Public Health, Medical Informatics, Forensic Medicine, and Telemedicine. 

Graduates also may pursue PhD and MPH degrees.

Research 

The NRMSM fosters research within the University and has produced internationally renowned scientists and research output. In addition, various Research Organisations affiliated to the NRMSM continue to engage in a global research agenda. 

The Doris Duke Medical Research Institute’s (DDMRI) specialist laboratories have allowed UKZN to become a major player in HIV and Tuberculosis research. The Enhancing Care Initiative (ECI), Centre for Aids Programme of Research in Africa (CAPRISA), HIV Pathogenesis Programme (HPP) and Womens’ Health Research Unit (WHRU) are a few of the high achieving research units producing high research output independently and in collaboration with leading international players. A new research facility, the KwaZulu-Natal Research Institute for Tuberculosis and HIV (K-RITH) funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute provides the highest standard of laboratories for the co-epidemic of TB and HIV research in the southern hemisphere.