Key Takeaways: The Pharmacy Battle
- The Reality: Pharmacy is one of the “Big 4” medical degrees (alongside Medicine, Dentistry, and Physiotherapy). It is oversubscribed by 2,000%.
- SMU (Ga-Rankuwa): Requires an APS of 32+. Strict focus on Maths, Physics, and Life Sciences (Level 5s).
- UWC (Cape Town): Requires a minimum APS of 27, but realistic acceptance is 34+.
- Math Literacy: NOT Accepted. If you take Math Lit, you cannot be a Pharmacist.
- NBTs: UWC often uses NBTs for selection. SMU focuses heavily on your Matric Average.
When students think of “Medical School,” they usually think of Doctors. But Pharmacists are the chemists of the medical world—the experts in drugs, interactions, and healing.
In South Africa, two universities stand out for their unique approach to Pharmacy:
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU): The only university in SA dedicated exclusively to health sciences.
- University of the Western Cape (UWC): A powerhouse in public health and community-based pharmacy.
Both are excellent, but they look for different things in their applicants. For the 2026 Intake, here is exactly what you need to get into the BPharm degree at these institutions.
1. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Location: Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria North.
Vibe: Intense. Everyone on campus is studying something medical. It is focused, serious, and historically significant.
Admission Requirements (BPharm)
- Minimum APS:32
- Warning: This is the “Application Threshold.” If you have 32, you can apply. However, most students who actually get accepted have an APS of 35+.
- Compulsory Subjects (Min Levels):
- Mathematics: Level 5 (60%)
- Physical Science: Level 5 (60%)
- Life Sciences: Level 5 (60%)
- English: Level 5 (60%)
- Life Orientation: Level 4 (50%)
- The Calculation: SMU does include Life Orientation in their APS calculation, which is a bonus for many students.
The Selection Process
SMU uses a strict ranking system. They take your marks for Maths, Science, Life Science, and English and rank you against thousands of other applicants.
- Status: Selection is based 100% on academic merit. There are no “interviews” for Pharmacy, but your Grade 11 marks are crucial for provisional acceptance.
2. University of the Western Cape (UWC)
Location: Bellville, Cape Town.
Vibe: Diverse, vibrant, and socially conscious. UWC Pharmacy is famous for producing pharmacists who understand the South African community context.
Admission Requirements (BPharm)
- Minimum APS:27
- The Trap: Do not see “27” and think you are safe. UWC receives thousands of applications. While 27 makes you eligible by law, the Selection Point Score is usually much higher (often 34–38).
- Compulsory Subjects (Min Levels):
- Mathematics: Level 4 (50%)
- Physical Science: Level 4 (50%)
- Life Sciences: Level 4 (50%)
- English: Level 4 (50%)
- Another Language: Level 3 (40%)
National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)
Unlike some universities that have dropped NBTs, UWC Health Sciences often still uses them (or strongly recommends them) to separate top students.
- Advice: Write the AQL and MAT tests. A high NBT score can push you up the waiting list if your Matric marks are borderline.
3. SMU vs. UWC: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | SMU (Pretoria) | UWC (Cape Town) |
| Minimum APS | 32 | 27 (aim for 34+) |
| Maths Required | Pure Maths (Level 5) | Pure Maths (Level 4) |
| Physics Required | Level 5 | Level 4 |
| Life Sciences | Level 5 | Level 4 |
| Math Lit? | NO | NO |
| Campus Type | Dedicated Medical Campus | Comprehensive University |
| Selection Criteria | Strictly Academic Merit | Academic + Community Quotas |
| Closing Date | Usually late July | Usually 31 August |
4. The “Math Lit” Question (The Hard Truth)
Every year, students ask: “Can I study Pharmacy with Math Literacy if I get 90%?”
The Answer: No.
Neither SMU nor UWC accepts Math Literacy for the Bachelor of Pharmacy. Pharmacy involves complex chemical calculations, pharmacokinetics (calculating drug absorption rates), and statistics. You need the foundation of Pure Mathematics.
Alternative: If you have Math Lit, you cannot be a Pharmacist. However, you can study to become a Pharmacist Assistant (Post-Basic) at a TVET college or private provider, although career growth is capped.
5. What If You Don’t Get In? (Plan B)
Pharmacy is elite. Many students with 5 Distinctions get rejected simply because there are no seats left.
Option A: The BSc “Backdoor”
- Register for a general Bachelor of Science (BSc) at SMU or UWC.
- Majors: Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Microbiology.
- Strategy: Work extremely hard in the first year. If you get an average of 70–75%, you can apply to transfer into 2nd Year Pharmacy. Note: This is very difficult and not guaranteed, but it is a common route.
Option B: Related Degrees
- BSc Dietetics: Focuses on food and nutrition (Medical).
- BSc Physiotherapy: Focuses on physical rehabilitation.
- BSc Nursing: High clinical exposure.
6. How to Calculate Your APS (Recap)
For SMU:
- Add your 6 best subjects + Life Orientation.
- SMU Scale: Level 7 (80-100%) = 7 points. Level 6 (70-79%) = 6 points.
- Note: SMU sometimes gives 8 points for 90%+, check their latest prospectus for the “Bonus Point” table.
For UWC:
- Add your 6 best subjects (excluding Life Orientation).
- UWC Scale: Level 7 = 7 points. Level 4 = 4 points.
- Note: UWC generally calculates out of 42.
Summary: Aim High
If you are currently in Grade 12, do not aim for the minimums (Level 4/5). To be safe for Pharmacy in 2026, you should aim for a Level 6 or 7 in Mathematics and Physical Science.
Action Plan:
- Apply Early: Pharmacy applications close earlier than other degrees (often July/August).
- Write NBTs: Book your test for May/June 2026.
- Upgrade: If your Grade 11 marks were low (Level 3s), you must smash your Grade 12 Term 1 and June exams. Universities will base your provisional acceptance on these.
Disclaimer: Admission policies are subject to change. Always refer to the official 2026 Faculty of Health Sciences yearbooks for SMU and UWC.