Texila American university offers all the facilities to learn and explore medical science with hands-on training!
Ms. Najma Mohamed Abudullahi
MBChB
What Is MBChB? (Meaning & Full Form)
MBChB stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, derived from the Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae. It is the primary undergraduate professional medical degree awarded in Zambia and across the Commonwealth that fully qualifies graduates to register, license, and practice as medical doctors.
At Texila American University (TAU) Zambia, the MBChB is a five-year degree program. The curriculum carefully balances foundational basic medical sciences, intensive hands-on clinical clerkships, and original healthcare research to transform ambitious students into compassionate, highly skilled medical practitioners.
MBChB vs MBBS – Are They the Same?
MBChB and MBBS are equivalent qualifications – both are the standard undergraduate medical degree that lets you become a doctor. The only real difference is naming: universities in the UK/African tradition (including Zambia) award the MBChB, while many South Asian and some UK institutions award the MBBS. Whichever the title, the outcome is the same – eligibility to register as a medical practitioner.
Why Study MBChB in Zambia at TAU
TAU is one of the leading medical schools in Zambia. Our MBChB programme educates, trains and prepares students for effective practice in real healthcare systems, using wide-ranging teaching methods that turn students into confident, proactive clinicians.
The curriculum integrates theoretical science, experiential learning, and early clinical exposure, so you can apply scientific knowledge directly to patient care.
TAU’s MBChB is approved by the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) and accredited by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The degree carries a global outlook while remaining rooted in Zambia’s – and the wider SADC region’s – healthcare needs.
How Many Years Is MBChB in Zambia?
The standard duration to study medicine at TAU Zambia is five (5) years.
To cater to different academic backgrounds, we provide two distinct entry tracks:
5-Year Track: For A-Level or pre-med certificate holders. Consists of 2 years of applied basic medical sciences followed by 3 years of immersive hospital clinical training.
6-Year Track: Designed for Grade 12 school leavers. Students complete our initial 1-year Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP) before seamlessly transitioning into the core 5-year medical curriculum.
MBChB Entry Requirements in Zambia
To join the MBChB programme you need one of the following:
- Five (5) ‘O’ level credits or better, including English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics, and Biology. These must be combined with the Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP), a 2-year Natural Sciences programme, or an equivalent pre-medical programme; or
- A-levels / pre-med with passes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics; or
- A relevant associate degree/diploma in a health-science programme (Life Science and Physical Science).
MBChB Curriculum & Clinical Rotations
The 5-year medical curriculum flows methodically from preclinical core sciences to deep-tier clinical hospital disciplines.
Pre-Clinical Foundation (Years 1 & 2)
Students build a rock-solid scientific foundation in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Medical Microbiology inside high-tech simulation labs.
Supervised Clinical Rotations (Years 3 to 5)
After completing the pre-clinical phase, starting year 3, MBChB students’ progress into hospital-based clinical training. Clinical exposure helps students connect classroom learning with patient care, medical decision-making, professional communication, and real healthcare settings.
TAU’s clinical clerkships are conducted at its elite affiliated training centers, including the University Teaching Hospital, Chainama Hills Hospital, Levy Mwanawasa University Teaching Hospital and the Cancer Disease Hospital
Rotations are structured across exact timelines to maximize clinical exposure:
| Clinical Specialty | Duration |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine | 30 Weeks |
| General Surgery | 30 Weeks |
| Paediatrics & Child Health | 20 Weeks |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 20 Weeks |
| Psychiatry & Mental Health | 10 Weeks |
| Community Medicine | 10 Weeks |
Structure of the MBChB programme
| Year 1 – Teaching and Learning Plan | 18 Credits |
|---|---|
| Basic and Applied Human Anatomy and Development | 5 |
| Basic and Applied Physiology | 5 |
| Medical Biochemistry and Genetics | 2 |
| Immunology & General Microbiology | 2 |
| Community Based Education & First Aid | 2 |
| Behavioural Science s & Communication Skills in Medical Practice (20 Weeks) | 2 |
| Year 2 – Teaching and Learning Plan | 19 Credits |
|---|---|
| Neurosciences | 4 |
| Pathology | 4 |
| Microbiology | 3 |
| Pharmacology & Therapeutics | 4 |
| Community Based Education & Scientific Method | 2 |
| Clinical Methods and Skills Lab | 2 |
| Year 3 – Teaching and Learning Plan | 18 Credits |
|---|---|
| Internal Medicine I | 4 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology | 4 |
| Surgery I | 4 |
| Paediatrics & Child Health I | 4 |
| Communications Skills, Professionalism, & Health Care Ethics | 2 |
| Year 4 – Teaching and Learning Plan | 18 Credits |
|---|---|
| Community Medicine | 2 |
| Internal Medicine II | 4 |
| Surgery II | 4 |
| Forensic Medicine & Medical Jurisprudence | 4 |
| Psychiatry & Mental Health | 4 |
| Year 5 – Teaching and Learning Plan | 16 Credits |
|---|---|
| Surgery III | 4 |
| Internal Medicine III | 4 |
| Obstetrics & Gynaecology II | 4 |
| Paediatrics & Child Health II | 4 |
Is Medicine and Surgery a Good Course? Careers After MBChB in Zambia
Yes – an MBChB is one of the most secure and respected career paths available. Zambia and the wider African region face a persistent shortage of doctors, so qualified MBChB graduates are in continuous demand across government and private healthcare.
After registering with the HPCZ, graduates can practise as medical doctors, specialise through postgraduate training, or move into research, public health and academic medicine.
MBChB Fees Structure
Students can review the year-wise tuition fee structure before applying. The MBChB tuition fee is listed separately for local and international students.
| Year | Local Fees (ZMW) | International Fees (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 45,000 | 7,000 |
| Year 2 | 45,000 | 4,500 |
| Year 3 | 45,000 | 5,500 |
| Year 4 | 45,000 | 5,500 |
| Year 5 | 45,000 | 5,500 |
How to Apply for MBChB in Zambia – March 2027 Intake
Applications for the March 2027 MBChB intake at TAU Zambia are open. Apply online and submit your academic documents. Our admissions team will assist you with eligibility, tuition, and scholarship information.
Talk to an Advisor Today
Please provide details below and we will mail you the details of MBChB Programme for Tuition Fees and Scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
MBChB stands for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. It is derived from the Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae. This is the primary professional undergraduate medical degree awarded across Zambia and the Commonwealth, legally qualifying graduates to register, license, and practice as medical doctors.
Yes – they are equivalent degrees. The difference is only in naming convention; both qualify you to register as a doctor.
Five years with A-levels or a pre-med qualification, or six years if you begin with the one-year HPFP after Grade 12.
Admission requires meeting one of two primary academic tracks established to ensure student success in clinical medicine:
- Grade 12 / O-Level Entry: Five (5) O-Level credits or better (including English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry or Physics) combined with TAU’s Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP) or a 2-year Natural Sciences certificate.
- A-Level Entry: Direct entry requires verified advanced-level passes in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics.
- Graduate Entry: A recognized Diploma or associate degree in a relevant health science field (such as Clinical Medicine, Nursing, or Pharmacy).
Yes. TAU Zambia is accredited by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and approved by the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ).
Yes – enter through the one-year Health Professions Foundation Programme (HPFP) and progress into the MBChB.
Testimonials
Enrolling at Texila American University Zambia fulfilled my lifelong dream. Combining academic excellence with extracurricular activities, I embraced challenges and grew. Balancing studies with becoming Miss Texila, I learned invaluable lessons in time management and perseverance. My journey epitomizes determination and passion.
Ms. Tanaka Hasha
MBChB
TAU is very welcoming place, and from the first day, I felt at home here
Naazneen Mohamed
MBChB
Hear From Our Student
Glossary
A-Levels (Advanced Levels)
Advanced secondary school qualifications typically completed over a two-year period following O-Levels. Satisfactory principal passes in core sciences (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) grant applicants direct entry into the 5-year core MBChB medical program without requiring a foundation year.
Clinical Clerkship (Clinical Rotations)
The hands-on medical training phase undertaken by medical students during Years 3, 4, and 5 of the MBChB degree. Students work directly inside teaching hospitals under supervised medical consultants to gain practical experience in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics.
HEA (Higher Education Authority)
The statutory regulatory body established under the Higher Education Act of Zambia to register, regulate, and monitor private and public higher education institutions. This body ensures that TAU’s infrastructure, administration, and degrees meet strict national quality metrics.
HPCZ (Health Professions Council of Zambia)
The statutory regulatory council responsible for licensing healthcare facilities, approving medical curricula, and registering health professionals in Zambia. Graduation from an HPCZ-approved MBChB program is mandatory to legally practice medicine in the country.
HPFP (Health Professions Foundation Programme)
A specialized one-year foundational science pathway designed by Texila American University for Grade 12 / O-Level school leavers. It bridges the academic gap in core natural sciences, preparing students to progress directly into the 5-year MBChB degree.
MBChB (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery)
The official designation for the primary undergraduate medical degree awarded in Zambia and Commonwealth systems. Derived from the Latin Medicinae Baccalaureus, Baccalaureus Chirurgiae, it represents a single integrated qualification required to license as a medical doctor.
MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery)
An academically equivalent nomenclature variation of the undergraduate medical degree used primarily in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and alternative UK-influenced medical schools. It carries identical professional practicing and clinical testing weight to the MBChB.
Pre-Clinical Phase
The initial two years of the MBChB program. This stage focuses heavily on classroom and simulation lab instruction covering the structural foundation of the human body, including Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pathology.
SADC (Southern African Development Community)
A regional intergovernmental organization comprising 16 Southern African member states, including Zambia. Graduating from an accredited medical program within an SADC nation ensures your clinical degree is recognized across the regional African healthcare marketplace.