Department of Health Bursary 2026: Full Guide for SA Students
The South African Department of Health, both national and at provincial level, offers bursaries to students pursuing qualifications in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health sciences. These bursaries are funded by the government and aim to address critical shortages of health professionals in public health facilities across South Africa. Bursars are obligated to work in the public health sector after graduation.
About the Department of Health Bursary
The South African public health sector faces a persistent shortage of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and other health professionals, particularly in rural areas and under-resourced provinces. To address this, national and provincial Departments of Health fund bursaries that attract students into health science careers and commit them to public service upon graduation. Most health bursaries are administered at the provincial level, with each of South Africa's nine provinces running its own bursary programme for students from that province. The national Department of Health oversees the broader health workforce strategy, while day-to-day administration is handled by provincial health departments. Bursaries are available for a wide range of health professions, from the highly competitive fields of medicine and dentistry to nursing, clinical associates, radiography, occupational therapy, and many others. Students who accept these bursaries commit to working in the public health sector, often in underserved areas, for a period equal to the funding received.
What the Bursary Covers
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Textbooks and medical equipment (e.g., stethoscopes, clinical instruments)
- Accommodation or residence allowance
- Monthly living stipend
- Transport allowance for clinical placements
Eligibility Requirements
- Citizenship: South African citizen
- Study level: Undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in a health-related field at an accredited South African university
- Fields of study: Medicine (MBChB), Dentistry (BChD), Pharmacy (BPharm), Nursing (BNurs or Diploma in Nursing), Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography (Diagnostic or Therapeutic), Audiology / Speech-Language Pathology, Clinical Psychology, Nutrition and Dietetics, Emergency Medical Care, Clinical Associate
- Academic average: Minimum 60% in relevant Grade 12 subjects; medicine and dentistry typically require 70%+ in Life Sciences and Physical Sciences
- Financial need: Financial need is a primary criterion; the bursary targets students from low-income households
- Work-back obligation: One year of public health service per year of bursary funding; may also be fulfilled through community service year required by health regulators
When to Apply
Application windows vary by province but typically run from August to November each year. Contact your Provincial Department of Health directly for specific dates.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Identify your Provincial Department of Health bursary office (e.g., Gauteng DoH, KwaZulu-Natal DoH, Western Cape DoH).
- Visit the provincial health department website or contact the HR or bursary office to obtain application forms.
- Complete the application form and prepare all required supporting documents.
- Submit the application to the provincial bursary office by the advertised deadline.
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interviews or further documentation.
- Successful bursars sign a bursary agreement that includes the work-back conditions before funding is released.
Documents Required
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified Grade 12 results or certificate
- Proof of university acceptance or registration in a health sciences programme
- Motivational letter
- CV
- Proof of household income (payslips, social grant letters, or affidavit)
- Academic transcripts (if already enrolled)
- Proof of residence in the relevant province
Tips and Additional Information
The Department of Health also participates in a national human resources for health strategy that coordinates bursary funding with workforce planning data. This means that bursary availability in specific health professions may change from year to year depending on where shortages are most acute. Students interested in medicine should also investigate the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and university-specific scholarships to supplement or compare with the Department of Health bursary.
Contact Details
- Official website: https://www.health.gov.za/bursaries
- Phone: 012 395 8000
- For provincial bursaries, contact your nearest Provincial Department of Health. Each province has its own application process, deadlines, and funding availability.