A Medical Qualification is now within your Reach – Opportunity for Bursaries (Full-Time Study) | Western Cape Government

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A Medical Qualification is now within your Reach – Opportunity for Bursaries (Full-Time Study)

8 November 2013

The Western Cape Government’s Department of Health is offering bursaries for full-time study. In order to apply for a bursaries one must be a South African citizen wanting to embark on full-time studies and preferably be a resident of the Western Cape. In addition to this, one must be accepted or awaiting acceptance at the relevant accredited Higher Education Institutes (HEI) and have a June matric result, matric or post-matric qualification.

Which Full-time Bursaries in Health does the Western Cape Government offer?
The Western Cape Government Health offers a limited number of bursaries for full-time study each year in fields where a shortage of skills has been identified. The aim of the bursary is to attract qualified persons with the required competencies, knowledge and skills to join the Department to meets its service delivery needs. In 2006 academic year, for example, the following bursaries per health science study field were awarded:

  • Nursing
  • Medical (MBChB)
  • Pharmacy
  • Radiography
  • Emergency Medical Care
  • Mechatronics (Engineering)

What does the Bursary Cover?
The bursary covers the tuition (actual study fees), registration and examination fees. If you fail an academic year, you will have to repeat that year at your own cost, after which the bursary will be reinstated for the following academic year, if you pass.

Will I have to Pay or Work Anything Back?
The bursaries are awarded on a work-back system - on a year for a year basis. Community Service Year will count towards the student's 1st year of bursary obligation, although internship years will not. Students may start paying, that is working, back their bursary obligation as soon as they have successfully completed their studies

Who Can Apply for a Bursary?
To apply for one of these bursaries you must be:

  • A South African citizen or permanent resident
  • A resident of the Western Cape
  • Able to prove financial need
  • Ideally from a historically disadvantaged background
  • Be accepted at the relevant accredited HEI

Bursars' obligations: bursars are expected to furnish the department with satisfactory proof of registration at an accredited academic institution at the start of the financial year. He or she is also expected to submit all annual or supplementary examination results to the department within 30 days of receiving such results.

How do I Apply?
Your university or University of Technology's bursaries office can supply you with an application form. We encourage students to apply for a bursary at their university or university of technology on the day of registration.

For further details on bursaries please visit:

A medical qualification is now within your reach.
The Western Cape Government is awarding bursaries to promising students interested in a career in health services. If you'd like to become a doctor, nurse, radiographer, pharmacist, emergency medical care practitioner, or mechatronics engineer; and earn your very own bona fide certificate to prove it, visit tour Higher Education Institute (HEI) of choice to enquire how to apply for a bursary. Bursaries are not offered directly to students, but will be offered through the HEI.

Media Enquiries: 

Angelique Jordaan
Communications Officer: Head Office
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 021 483 3563
E-mail: Angelique.Jordaan@westerncape.gov.za