Admissions
Medical School Requirements in Zambia – Admissions & How to Apply
Becoming a medical doctor is one of the most rewarding and impactful life choices you can make. At Texila American University (TAU) Zambia, we aim to make your path into medicine clear, transparent, and supportive.
If you are wondering how to apply to medical school in Zambia, this comprehensive guide outlines our specific undergraduate admission procedures, academic prerequisites, and enrolment timelines to help you take your first confident step toward your MBChB degree.
Requirements to Study Medicine in Zambia
To study medicine at Texila American University (TAU) Zambia, applicants may enter through different pathways depending on their academic qualifications.
Direct MBChB Entry (5 Years):
Applicants should possess five (5) credits or better at O-Level/Grade 12, including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or equivalent sciences).
Candidates with appropriate A-Level qualifications, including passes in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, may also be considered in accordance with programme requirements.
Foundation Pathway (HPFP):
Students who do not yet meet the full entry requirements for the MBChB programme may enrol in the one-year Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP). Upon successful completion, eligible students may progress into the MBChB programme.
Candidates must hold qualifications from an institution accredited or recognised by the Ministry of Education/government of their home country and should read the eligibility criteria for each programme in the prospectus.
MBChB Entry Requirements at a Glance
The MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) is a five-year degree (six with the HPFP). Its entry requirements are science-focused because the programme is science-intensive from Year 1. MBChB entry requirements at TAU Zambia are
- five (5) ‘O’ level credits or better including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics and Biology, plus an HPFP/ pre-medical / foundation qualification; or
- A level with passes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
How to Apply to Medical School in Zambia – Step by Step
TAU’s admission process for medicine is fully supported and mostly online:
01 Step
Apply Online
Complete the application form, upload your photograph, ID and academic credentials. International students should also pay the applicable application fee.
02 Step
Evaluation & Selection
Our admissions committee reviews your records. Qualified candidates are invited to an interactive admissions interview. Eligible candidates receive an eligibility letter.
03 Step
Accept Your Offer
Sign the admission letter using an e-signature and pay the required seat deposit to confirm your place at Texila American University.
04 Step
Provisional & Confirmed Admission
After review of your credentials and payment of the first instalment, a provisional admission letter followed by a confirmed admission letter is issued.
05 Step
Final Admission
Once all required documents and prescribed fees are received, your final admission letter is issued and you are officially registered as a TAU student.
Why Trust Your Medical Education with TAU Zambia?
Your medical career depends on a degree recognized worldwide. Texila American University is fully approved and registered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and strictly monitored by the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
Our curriculum meets local and international clinical benchmarks, ensuring your medical qualification holds absolute value upon
How to Become a Doctor in Zambia: Your Pathway to Registration
Learning how to become a doctor in Zambia starts with choosing the right educational foundation. Your journey begins with a recognized medical degree, followed by a mandatory practical internship.
Upon completing your medical internship, you will register with the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) to legally practice medicine across the country.
You do not need to sit for international exams like the USMLE to practice locally. By choosing an HEA-accredited and HPCZ-approved medical university like Texila American University (TAU), you ensure your academic credits align directly with Zambia’s official medical registration and licensing pathways.
Scholarships & Financial Support
TAU supports meritorious students who face financial constraints through a range of scholarships, awarded considering academic merit and community/volunteer service. See the Scholarship page for current awards.
March 2027 Intake – Apply Now
Applications for the March 2027 intake into the MBChB and HPFP are open. Apply online and our admissions team will guide you through eligibility, documents and fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
You need either five ‘O’ level credits including English, Maths, Chemistry/Physics and Biology plus a pre-med/foundation qualification, or A-levels in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Maths. School leavers can enter via the one-year HPFP.
Five ‘O’ level credits including English, Mathematics, Biology and Chemistry or Physics, plus the HPFP or equivalent pre-med or A-levels in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. Alternatively, you can apply via a related science diploma or BSc degree.
Apply online, upload your academic documents and ID, complete any assessment, accept your offer and pay the seat deposit, then progress through provisional, confirmed and final admission. TAU’s admissions team guides each step.
Yes. Enter through the one-year Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP) with a Grade 12 / GCE certificate, then progress into the five-year MBChB.
SADC and international applicants need qualifications recognised by their home government that meet the O-level/A-level criteria above; TAU teaches in English and admits students from across Southern Africa.
The seat deposit confirms your commitment to join the MBChB program, transitions you from an applicant to receiving provisional admission, and reserves your clinical placement spot for the upcoming semester.
Glossary
A-Levels (Advanced Levels)
A secondary school qualification taken after O-Levels, typically lasting two years. High marks in science-focused A-Levels (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics) can qualify you for direct entry into the 5-year MBChB program.
HEA (Higher Education Authority)
The statutory body established under the Higher Education Act of Zambia. It regulates, registers, and monitors higher education institutions to ensure they maintain official national standards.
HPFP (Health Professionals Foundation Program)
A specialized one-year preparatory science course designed for Grade 12 school leavers. It bridges the academic gap for students who need foundational science training before entering the core MBChB degree.
HPCZ (Health Professions Council of Zambia)
The statutory regulatory body that licenses medical professionals, accredits training institutions, and approves medical curricula across Zambia to protect public health.
MBChB (Medicinae Baccalaureus, Chirurgiae Baccalaureus)
The official Latin designation for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree. This is the primary undergraduate medical qualification required to practice as a medical doctor in Zambia and the Commonwealth.
O-Levels (Ordinary Levels) / Grade 12 Certificate
The final school-leaving qualification awarded after completing secondary education in Zambia (or its international equivalent), requiring specific credit passes in core science subjects for medical eligibility.
Provisional Admission
A temporary, conditional offer extended to an applicant. It confirms acceptance into the medical university subject to meeting remaining criteria, such as document verification or fee payments.
SADC (Southern African Development Community)
A regional intergovernmental organization. Students applying from SADC member states often benefit from streamlined regional verification processes and community student quotas.
Seat Deposit
A mandatory, non-refundable fee paid by an accepted student to formally secure their placement in a limited medical cohort, preventing the slot from being allocated to waitlisted applicants.