Bursaries Available For Medical Students In South Africa

Medicine is a very expensive course to study, and this is because of the study material and lecturers that you will be gaining knowledge from. Just medical books alone can cost anywhere from R7,500-R15,000 per year.

Certain individuals, companies and even the departments of health in certain provinces have made bursaries available to those who want to study medicine in South Africa and require financial aid. 

Bursaries made available by private companies and individuals

The Islam Development Bank Education Trust

This trust offers loan bursaries for South African students of Muslim origin in their first year studying at a South African university. The loan bursaries are free from interest, and are for students who are specifically intending to study within a field such as medicine.

The minimum criteria needed from the prospective student is that they are a South African citizen of Muslim origin and that they are strong academic achievers.

The bursaries are only made available to 1st year students, which can be renewed annually, and the financial aid will cover the costs of tuition fees and certain monthly allowances. The requirements are that the successful students repay the loan over a period of time that it took to complete their studies.

Applications can be made here.

Motsepe Foundation Bursary

The Motsepe family were the first in Africa to join The Giving Pledge, which is an organization set up by the wealthiest families and individuals across the world, to donate most of their wealth to philanthropy. Bursaries from this foundation can be awarded to those who wish to study medicine, among other degrees.

Students who are applying for this bursary need to satisfy the following minimum entry criteria:

• Have to be a South African citizen.
• The applicant needs to prove that there's a financial need.
• A minimum average of 70% must be achieved in Grade 12 (this excludes Life Orientation).

In order to apply for this bursary, you can download and complete the application form either here (in pdf format); or here (in doc format). Completed application forms and supporting documentation must be sent by e-mail to bursaries@motsepefoundation.org.

South African Medical Association (SAMA) Bursary

SAMA is a non-profit organization for public and private sector medical doctors, and their bursary is for medical students who are from historically disadvantaged backgrounds, and who have strong academic achievements. The bursary's value is R20,000 per year to aid medical students cover any costs related to their studies.

Medical students who are applying for this bursary need to fulfill the following minimum criteria:

• They must be a South African citizen.
• They have to be accepted to study at a medical school that is recognized in South Africa.

The successful applicants will be selected depending on the following criteria:

• Academic achievements.
• Potential to excel academically.
• Demographic and social circumstances.
• Previously disadvantage background.
• Qualities in leadership.

Application forms can be viewed and download here or can be requested via email at graceb@samedical.org or karlienp@samedical.org

Professional Provident Society Bursary

The PPS of South Africa has the biggest group of professionals in the world, with nearly 300,000 members. PPS offer bursaries to a select group of graduates, who are in their 4th year of full-time study or busy with postgraduate training within the field of medicine, among other degrees. The bursary programme covers the cost of tuition and prescribed textbooks, within a specified budget.

Medical students who are applying for this bursary must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• They have to a South Africa citizen or permanent resident.
• Confirmation must be received that the student is registered to study at a South African tertiary institution (4th year or postgraduate) in the field of medicine.
• A minimum average of 75% should be achieved in the previous year of study.
• There should be proof of financial need.

To apply, download and complete the application form here (in pdf format), and then send this form and supporting documents via e-mail  tobursaries@pps.co.za .

Tiso Foundation Bursary

The goal of this foundation is to support 20 students each year financially, who are studying at tertiary institutions in South Africa. Those who are successful in getting a bursary will also receive life skills training and academic support during their studies. Once the applicant graduates, the highest achieving students are assisted with career opportunities by the foundation.

Students applying for this bursary must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

• Must be a South African citizen under 35 years old.
• Intending to study or studying medicine at an accredited medical school.
• Must be from a historically disadvantaged background.
• A minimum average of 70% must have been achieved for Grade 12.
• A minimum average of 65% was achieved for the latest tertiary year of study, if applicable.
• They should want to give back to the community.
• There must be proof of financial need.
• They must be dedicated and passionate towards their studies.
• Black student (African, Coloured or Indian).

Those wanting to apply must do so online here  (from 1 July every year).

Department Of Health Bursaries For Medical Students

Western Cape

Students who are successful with their bursary applications, will be required to complete community service within this health department for the duration equal to their bursary award.

Those medical students who are applying must complete the following minimum criteria:

• They must be a citizen of South Africa residing in the Western Cape.
• They should be accepted to full-time study at the medical schools of the University of Cape Town or Stellenbosch University.

You can download and complete the forms here, and you should make sure that you fill in the application form of the medical school you are accepted at. The completed application forms, together with all necessary supporting documentation, must then be delivered to the tertiary institution's financial aid office.

Mpumalanga

The Government of Mpumalanga are awarding bursaries to students who are unemployed and who wish take up studies in fields such as medicine.

Those who are applying must fulfill the following minimum entry criteria:

• Have to be a citizen of South Africa who resides in Mpumalanga.
• There must be proof of financial need.

As a special note; females, students with disabilities, those from rural communities and those from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply as they will be given preference.

For those who want to apply, the forms can be downloaded and completed here.

Completed applications together with all supporting documents must be:

1. Hand delivered:
The Department of Education, Riverside Government Complex Building, #5 Upper Ground Floor, Nelspruit, 1200.
2. Sent by post:
Mpumalanga Department of Education, The Bursary Unit, Private Bag X 11341, Nelspruit, 1200.

Limpopo

This Department of Health provides bursaries to successful applicants that will cover expenses such as registration and tuition fees, provide a prescribed textbook allowance, as well as accommodation and meals. Once the students have obtained their medical degree, they will be expected to enter into a contractual agreement to work for the Limpopo Department of Health.

Those who are applying for the bursary must fulfill the following requirements:

• Have to be a South African citizen residing in Limpopo.
• They must be from a historically disadvantaged background and must prove financial need.
• They should be intending to study, or currently studying medicine.

Application forms can be downloaded from here.

The completed application form together with supporting documentation can be posted to:
Department of Health
Fidel Castro Ruz House
18 College Street
Polokwane

Kwa-Zulu Natal

The financial amount covered by the bursary, and what exactly will be covered, will be determined by the yearly combined income of the applicant's parents/guardians:

Those students who are applying must complete the following minimum criteria:

• They must be South African citizens who reside in KwaZulu-Natal are are between 18 and 35 years of age.
• They must have an excellent academic record.
• They must provide proof that they applied or registered at a medical school.
• They mustn't have completed any other degree.
• There must be proof of financial need.

Application forms become available between 1 May and 31 August every year from the closest Human Resource Department of any government hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. For the contact details of the various state hospitals in the province, visit here. Completed application forms together with the supporting documents must be delivered to the same hospital.

Gauteng

Those who are applying for a bursary in this province have to fulfill the following requirements:

• They must be a citizen of South Africa who resides in Gauteng.
• They must be studying medicine.
• They should come from a previously disadvantaged background.
• Minimum average of a “C” symbol in Grade 12.

The application form can be downloaded and completed at Gauteng Dept of Health Bursary Application Form (in pdf format). You can also pick up a form from any of the academic or state run hospitals in Gauteng.

Completed application forms together with supporting documents must be sent by:

1. Registered mail to:
37 Sauer Street, Private Bag X085, Marshalltown, Johannesburg, 2107.
2. Hand delivery to:
The Department of Health of Gauteng
1 Penmore Building, c/o Rissik and Albert Street, Johannesburg (enter through Loveday Street).