New route into medicine for SA students

St George’s University (SGU) School of Medicine in Grenada in the West Indies has concluded an academic affiliation agreement with KwaZulu-Natal independent school Hilton College to create international pathways for South African secondary school students seeking to study medicine.

The partnership responds to structural bottlenecks within the country’s public medical education framework.

Listen/read: SA’s medical school bottleneck pushes students overseas

With only 10 medical schools operating nationally, domestic capacity remains severely constrained relative to applicant volume.

The scale of the bottleneck is reflected in the high number of applications received by local institutions:

University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN): Around 12 000 applications for just 250 first-year MBChB places in recent intakes.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits): Medicine stood as the university’s most applied-for degree, with thousands of prospective students competing for around 250 places.

A new route into medicine

Under the terms of the agreement, qualifying Hilton College school leavers who meet SGU’s academic criteria will be eligible for entry into SGU’s five-year doctor of medicine (MD) track.

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The programme offers geographical flexibility, allowing successful applicants to begin their basic medical sciences at SGU’s campus in Grenada or at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK.

The agreement includes dedicated admissions guidance, guaranteed interview slots, and eligibility for partial merit-based scholarships for qualifying applicants.

Highlighting the scope of the collaboration, Lily Phommarack, associate director of International Academic Affiliations at St George’s University, stated: “Hilton College has a longstanding reputation for academic excellence and developing students who are prepared to succeed in globally competitive environments.

“Through this affiliation, we are creating new opportunities for aspiring physicians in South Africa by providing access to international medical education pathways, scholarship opportunities, and dedicated guidance as they prepare for careers in medicine.”

Clinical training across the US and UK

Students progressing through SGU’s Doctor of Medicine programme gain access to practical clinical rotations via an international network encompassing over 75 affiliated hospitals and healthcare centres across the US and UK.

Listen/read: SA’s specialist crisis: Why junior doctors are taking unpaid roles

Framing the institutional objective, James Webb, head of futures at Hilton College, notes: “This affiliation strengthens the support available to students interested in pursuing medical careers internationally.

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“At Hilton College, we are committed to ensuring that students have access to high-quality guidance as they explore future academic and professional opportunities.

“Through our collaboration with St George’s University, students will gain greater insight into the journey to becoming a doctor, and the opportunity to engage with an institution that has educated physicians [practising] around the world.”

A pathway back to SA

To address post-graduation entry into the local healthcare sector, SGU holds recognition by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

This recognition provides eligible South African graduates with a legal pathway to apply for professional registration and practice locally, subject to meeting all statutory regulatory criteria.

Read: Courts rule in favour of South African doctors trained abroad

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