It is a four-semester programme on successful completion of which a student qualifies for admission to medical schools with which the University of Botswana and the Botswana Government have partnership agreements.
The four-semester programme consists of:
What are the specific entry requirements to the Premedical Programme for students with BGCSE or equivalent.?BGCSE/equivalent with a minimum of grade E in English Language and a grade C in any two from Biology, Chemistry, Physics or a minimum of grade BB in Science Double Award or equivalent, a minimum of A in Physical Science and a C in Biology or equivalent.
Can we join the premedical programme after our A-Levels?
Yes, you can join at semester 3 provided that you have done the clinical exposure that is part of the first year of the programme. However, very good "A-Level" grades can qualify one for direct entry to many medical schools, so you can use that as a route to a medical degree instead of going through the University's premedical programme.
We understand that you can still join the Premedical Programme even if you did not initially enrol for it when you entered UB. In other words, is it possible to transfer from BSc 1 to the Premedical programme if you have achieved good grades at the end of the first year?
Yes, because you can join the premedical group at semester 3 if you have:-
What then is the major difference between the first year of BSc and the first year of the Premedical programme?
A BSc 1 student who takes all three sciences and mathematics at Level 100 takes exactly the same courses as the premedical students. However, the premedical group also undergoes a four-week period of clinical exposure at either Princess Marina Hospital or Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital after successful performance in the Level 100 courses.
How many years do we spend at UB?
Three semesters for those who, upon successful completion of Level 100 and the third semester, qualify for transfer to the University's South African and Australian partner medical schools, and four semesters for those who, on successful completion of Level 200, gain admission to those medical schools with which the Botswana Government has partnerships.
After transferring how many years will we take before completing?
The period of training varies from one medical school to another ? it is usually five or six years. After that you must do a one-year internship before you can be allowed to practise as a doctor.
Where do we get sponsorship for the Premedical programme?
If you are a citizen of Botswana, the Botswana Government can sponsor you through the Department of Student Placement and Welfare of the Ministry of Education. If you are not a citizen, you must find your own source of funds.
If we do get sponsorship, whom do we pay - UB for the premed part or UB for the whole training programme (premed plus degree)?
The Premedical programme is a University of Botswana programme, and the fees for it therefore have to be paid to UB. If afterwards you succeed in transferring to a medical school, you or your sponsor will pay that medical school for your degree studies.
Is the Premedical programme available to foreigners?
Yes, it is available to a limited number of foreigners. The quota is 10% of the intake enrolment.
Will UB be responsible for finding places for foreign students after completing the required term in UB?
At present, UB does not find places for foreign students in its partner medical schools but it does assist them with letters of reference, testimonials and so on.
Is it possible for a first year Premedical student do only two Level 100 sciences?
Some people say that the only Science that is REALLY IMPORTANT is Chemistry, so one can take it and then choose one of either Biology or Physics.
Yes, it is possible, but not advisable to take only two sciences in the first year.
Because admission to medical school is very competitive, taking only two sciences is risky as it limits one's chances even if Chemistry is one of the two sciences. To be confident of admission, one would have to be sure of getting "A" grades or GPA scores very close to 4.0 for each of the two sciences. This is why premedical students or those who want to pursue other health sciences are advised that they must take all THREE (3) Level 100 sciences and mathematics during the first year .
Are students who want to specialise in other health sciences, e.g. Dentistry, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Psychology, and so on, supposed to do ALL three Level 100 sciences or can they do with Biology and Chemistry only?
They should take all three Level 100 sciences.
Can you enter the medical field with Biology and Chemistry only OR can you pursue a career in health with Biology and Chemistry as the only pre-degree sciences subjects?
It is possible to enter some, but not all, medical schools with Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics. Again, some but not all faculties of health sciences will admit students for studies in health professions with the same subject combination. To give yourself the best chance of admission, take all three sciences with mathematics.
What if a person fails Level 100 Physics? Is it possible for them to continue with the Premed programme?
As indicated earlier, that would definitely reduce one's chances of admission. It is possible to continue if one successfully re-takes the Physics and has very high grades for the other two Level 100