Nursing & Midwifery Bursaries in South Africa 2026

Nursing and midwifery bursaries are some of the most rewarding funding routes you can apply for, because they back a career the country genuinely needs. These bursaries often cover the big costs that put students off, such as tuition and registration fees, prescribed textbooks and clinical equipment, and many add a contribution towards accommodation, meals or a monthly allowance while you train. Some also help with practical placements and the uniform or clinical kit you need on the wards. They support a range of pathways, from a nursing degree at a university to diploma and certificate programmes at nursing colleges and TVET colleges, as well as postgraduate and specialist clinical study for those already qualified.

The funders here are varied. Provincial Departments of Health and the public health system are major sources, often through service-linked bursaries that ask you to work back a set number of years in the public sector once you qualify. You'll also find support from the Health and Welfare SETA (HWSETA), public and academic hospitals, private hospital networks and medical schemes, plus university faculties, trusts and foundations focused on healthcare. Eligibility usually leans on solid matric or NSC results with good marks in subjects like Life Sciences, Maths or Maths Literacy and English, South African citizenship, and demonstrated financial need. Genuine commitment to caring work and a willingness to honour a work-back agreement count for a lot, so check each programme's exact subject and mark requirements before you apply.

Apply early and apply widely. Many corporate and SETA bursaries open for the following academic year roughly between August and October, so line your documents up in advance: certified ID, your latest results, proof of registration or acceptance, and proof of household income. NSFAS remains a strong first port of call for nursing study at public institutions, and a bursary can sit alongside or instead of it. Take your motivation letter seriously, be honest about your work-back obligations, and make sure your application is complete well before the deadline, because incomplete or late applications are often set aside.