Medical Specialties
Explore specialist training pathways in South Africa
Detailed information about medical specialties available for international medical graduates seeking specialist training in South Africa.
Explore 32 primary medical specialties listed by UCT. Subspecialties such as cardiology require a separate pathway after primary specialist training. Current posts and eligibility depend on the department.
Official UCT specialty and training directoryOphthalmology
Medical and surgical care of the eyes and vision.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Orthopaedic Surgery
Injuries and conditions affecting bones, joints and the musculoskeletal system.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Anaesthesiology
Anaesthesia, perioperative care and pain management around surgical procedures.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Surgical treatment of conditions affecting the heart, lungs and chest.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Clinical Pharmacology
How medicines work, their safety and their effective use in patient care.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Dermatology
Diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the skin, hair and nails.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Diagnostic Radiology
Medical imaging to diagnose disease and guide patient management.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Emergency Medicine
Assessment and initial treatment of acute illness, injury and medical emergencies.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Family Medicine
Comprehensive, continuing care across ages in primary and district healthcare.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Medical Genetics
Genetic conditions, diagnostic assessment and counselling for patients and families.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Internal Medicine
Adult medical conditions, including complex illness affecting multiple organ systems.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Neurology
Medical care of disorders affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves and muscles.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Neurosurgery
Surgical treatment of conditions affecting the brain, spine and nervous system.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Nuclear Medicine
Diagnostic imaging and selected treatments using radiopharmaceuticals.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Pregnancy, childbirth and medical and surgical care of reproductive health.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Occupational Medicine
Work-related illness, occupational exposures and the relationship between work and health.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Otorhinolaryngology (ENT)
Medical and surgical care of ear, nose, throat and related head and neck conditions.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Paediatric Surgery
Surgical care of infants and children, including congenital and acquired conditions.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Paediatrics
Medical care of infants, children and adolescents, including growth and development.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Anatomical Pathology
Diagnosis of disease by examining tissues and cells.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Chemical Pathology
Laboratory investigation of biochemical changes in health and disease.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Clinical Pathology
Laboratory medicine integrating diagnostic tests with clinical assessment.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Forensic Pathology
Medical investigation of deaths for legal purposes, including post-mortem examination.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Haematological Pathology
Laboratory diagnosis and assessment of disorders of blood and blood-forming tissues.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Microbiological Pathology
Laboratory diagnosis of infectious disease and interpretation of microbiology results.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Virological Pathology
Laboratory investigation of viral infections and interpretation of virology tests.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Reconstruction and repair of tissues affected by injury, disease or congenital conditions.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Psychiatry
Assessment and treatment of mental health conditions across clinical settings.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Public Health Medicine
Population health, prevention, epidemiology and healthcare service planning.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Radiation Oncology
Cancer care with a focus on radiotherapy and multidisciplinary treatment planning.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
General Surgery
Assessment and surgical management of a broad range of conditions, including abdominal disease.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Urology
Medical and surgical care of the urinary tract and male reproductive system.
Specialist training / MMedView training pathways and requirements
Information Verification Notice
Program requirements and availability are subject to change. Always verify current information directly with universities and regulatory bodies. This information is provided as guidance only.
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