Gauteng Department of Health Bursary
The Gauteng Department of Health runs one of the largest provincial bursary programmes in the country, funding South African citizens from Gauteng studying towards in-demand health professions including medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy and the allied health sciences. Recipients enter a service-binding agreement to work in Gauteng's public health system after qualifying.
Eligible Fields of Study
Gauteng Department of Health supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen with a valid ID
- ✓ Resident of Gauteng for at least one year
- ✓ Minimum 'C' symbol average (60%+) in Matric
- ✓ Current first-year university student in an eligible health science programme
- ✓ Preference given to candidates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds
- ✓ Willingness to sign a service-binding contract with the Gauteng Department of Health
What's Included
- ✓ Full tuition fees at a recognised South African university
- ✓ Accommodation
- ✓ Prescribed books
- ✓ Monthly living allowance
- ✓ Clinical placements within Gauteng public hospitals
- ✓ Guaranteed placement in the Gauteng public health system after community service
Work Commitment
Recipients sign a service-binding contract committing them to work in the Gauteng public health system for a period equal to the tenure of the bursary, following internship and community service.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Gauteng Department of Health bursary application
- 1
Download or collect the application form from the Gauteng Department of Health bursary office
- 2
Complete the application and gather certified supporting documents
- 3
Submit by hand at 1 Rissik (Penmore Building, cnr Rissik and Albert, Johannesburg)
- 4
Alternatively post by registered mail to 37 Sauer Street, Johannesburg / Private Bag X085, Marshalltown, 2107
- 5
Wait for confirmation and shortlisting
- 6
Attend an interview if shortlisted and sign the service-binding contract if successful
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
- 📄 Certified Matric certificate
- 📄 Proof of Gauteng residency (e.g. utility bill, affidavit) for at least one year
- 📄 Proof of acceptance or registration at a recognised South African university
- 📄 Certified first-year university academic transcripts
- 📄 Proof of household income
- 📄 Completed Gauteng Department of Health bursary application form
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies for the Gauteng Department of Health bursary?
- South African citizens who have lived in Gauteng for at least one year, with a minimum 'C' symbol Matric average, currently in their first year of a recognised health-sciences degree at a South African university.
- What is the service-binding contract?
- Bursary recipients are required to work in the Gauteng public health system after qualifying (and after completing their internship and community service) for a period equal to the years they were funded.
- Which fields does the Gauteng Department of Health bursary fund?
- Medicine and Surgery, Nursing, Dental Science, Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Radiography, Speech and Hearing Therapy, and other allied health sciences.
- When does the Gauteng Department of Health bursary close?
- There is no nationally fixed deadline — the Gauteng office sets its own closing date each year (typically around end of September). Contact the bursary section on 011 355 3847/3514 to confirm the current cycle's deadline.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 30 September 2026
Apply on Gauteng Department of Health's official siteNeed help? Contact Gauteng Department of Health:
Phone: 011 355 3847
Information verified 2026-05-25. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other Government bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
City of Cape Town External Bursary Programme
City of Cape Town (Metropolitan Municipality, administered in-house by the City's Human Resources / Skills Development department via the HR Service Desk)
The City of Cape Town runs an annual external bursary programme for Cape Town residents studying full-time towards qualifications in advertised scarce-skills fields such as engineering, accounting, IT, data science, environmental management and the built environment. The bursary covers registration, tuition and examination fees plus capped allowances for study aid, transport and meals, and can lead to year-for-a-year work experience with the City after graduation. Funding spans undergraduate through postgraduate study at accredited South African institutions, including TVET colleges.
View details →City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Bursary Programme
City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (administered in-house via the CoJ Human Resources / Skills Development office)
The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) Bursary Programme is a metropolitan government bursary that funds undergraduate study for academically capable students who permanently reside within the City of Johannesburg in Gauteng. Approximately 200 bursaries are awarded each cycle, covering registration, tuition and prescribed study material up to R40,000 per year across scarce-skills fields relevant to the City. It is distinct from the Gauteng Provincial Government GCRA bursary.
View details →Compensation Fund Bursary
Compensation Fund (Department of Employment and Labour)
The Compensation Fund Bursary is a government bursary administered by the Compensation Fund under the Department of Employment and Labour. It funds unemployed COID (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases) beneficiaries with permanent disabilities, plus dependants of COID beneficiaries who were fatally injured or permanently disabled at work.
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