University medical school admission policies:

University of Pretoria: Applicants for 240 first-year places are divided into two main groups: school leavers and students already exposed to university.

They are further divided into sub-categories, including one for black and coloured students, and an "open" category for Indian and white applicants. The university aims for a 55% intake of black and coloured students.

Medical school applicants country-wide write national benchmark tests designed to measure intellectual ability.

The results of the benchmark tests, Grade 11 marks and a versatility score (sport and cultural achievement) are used to determine acceptance.

University of KwaZulu-Natal: Has 210 first-year places and selection is based on academic performance and racial categories. It aims for 69% black, 19% Indian, 9% coloured and 3% white students.

University of Free State: Selection for the 140 first-year places is based on a points system that includes academic achievement, where students come from, cultural activities and sport.

Dean of Health Sciences Professor Gert van Zyl said there was a Department of Health requirement to select 65% coloured and black students. The department was unable to confirm this.

University of the Witwatersrand: Has 180 places and selection is based on a composite index score, 40% of which is based on matric results, 40% on national benchmark tests, 10% on a biographical questionnaire and 10% on "schooling conditions that allow ranking according to poor resourced and well-resourced background".

Applicants are ranked and selected from the top.

The university's Graduate Entry Medical Programme allows applicants who have completed other degrees to apply for an allotment of places in the third year.

University of Limpopo: The Medunsa campus has 200 first-year places and applicants are admitted on academic merit alone. No specific policies are in place for previously disadvantaged students, but the university markets its programmes to pupils in rural areas.

University of Stellenbosch: Has 218 first-year places. Candidates are selected according to academic and nonacademic merit. School marks count for 45%, national benchmark tests count for 30%, and nonacademic merit (leadership and community service, rural origin, and if parents are alumni or staff) counts for 25%.

The top 60 candidates are selected according to their selection mark - irrespective of any other considerations - following which Indian candidates, preferably from the Western and Northern Cape, and black and coloured candidates from all other provinces are selected.

Coloured, Asian and black students who score between 70% and 74.9% are considered for admission to the extended degree programme.

Finally, white and other Indian students are selected according to merit. Gender also plays a role.