Medical & Health Sciences

Life Healthcare Nurse Bursary

Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning)

This is a nursing-only bursary, not a broad medical bursary. It is offered through Life Healthcare's nursing college (Life College of Learning / Life Healthcare Nursing College), which is accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). It funds tuition for previously disadvantaged South African students who cannot afford to pay for one of the college's three nursing qualifications and who commit to working for Life Healthcare after graduating.

Amount
Covers tuition; no monetary figure published by the provider
Deadline
Closed 31 July 2026
Duration
For the duration of the chosen nursing qualification: Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing (1 year), Diploma in Nursing (3 years), or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (4 years)
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning) supports students in the following disciplines

Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing (NQF Level 5, 1 year)
Diploma in Nursing (NQF Level 6, 3 years)
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (4 years)

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen
  • ✓ Demonstrated financial need (previously disadvantaged)
  • ✓ Strong academic record, particularly in science and mathematics
  • ✓ Enrolled or intending to enrol for a nursing programme at a Life learning centre
  • ✓ Commitment to work for Life Healthcare for a set period after graduation
  • ✓ Motivation letter outlining financial need and career goals, plus supporting income documentation

What's Included

  • ✓ Tuition fees covered for previously disadvantaged students
  • ✓ Per secondary aggregators, textbooks and learning materials may be covered (not confirmed on official pages)
  • ✓ Per secondary aggregators, a living allowance may be provided (not confirmed on official pages)

Work Commitment

Recipients commit to work for Life Healthcare for a set period after graduating.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning) bursary application

  1. 1

    Choose one of the three nursing qualifications and identify your nearest Life learning centre (Springs, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria or Roodepoort)

  2. 2

    Prepare a motivation letter detailing your financial need and career goals, along with supporting household income documentation

  3. 3

    Submit your application to the learning centre during the application window (~15 May to 31 July, typically lodged in July)

  4. 4

    Pay the non-refundable application fee (reported as R400) for the nursing programme

  5. 5

    Wait for the outcome, which is communicated by email by 31 October

Required Documents

  • 📄 Motivation letter outlining financial need and career goals
  • 📄 Supporting household income documentation (proof of financial need)
  • 📄 Academic results, with emphasis on science and mathematics
  • 📄 Proof of South African citizenship (ID document)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a general medical bursary?
No. Despite the name, this is a nursing-only bursary. Life College of Learning offers exactly three nursing qualifications - a Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing, a Diploma in Nursing, and a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. It does not fund medicine (MBChB), physiotherapy, pharmacy, radiography or other health professions.
Who is eligible?
South African citizens who are previously disadvantaged and cannot afford tuition, who have a strong academic record (particularly in science and maths), and who intend to enrol for a nursing programme at a Life learning centre. Recipients must commit to work for Life Healthcare for a set period after graduating.
When and how do I apply?
Applications are submitted directly to your nearest of the seven Life learning centres (Springs, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Pretoria, Roodepoort), generally in July. The application window runs roughly 15 May to 31 July each year, and outcomes are emailed by 31 October. A non-refundable application fee (reported as R400) applies to the nursing programmes. These dates are indicative - confirm the exact deadline with the college before applying.
How much does the bursary pay?
Life Healthcare's official pages do not publish a monetary amount; the bursary covers tuition for the nursing qualification. Some secondary aggregators also mention textbooks/learning materials and a living allowance, but these are not confirmed on official sources. Confirm what is covered directly with the college.

2027 applications have closed

The 2027 application window closed on 31 July 2026.

Life Healthcare's nursing college takes applications through its seven learning centres, usually from mid-May to 31 July for the following year's intake. Listings for the 2027 intake gave 31 July 2026 as the closing date; confirm the 2028 dates with your nearest learning centre from May 2027.

Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.

Check Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning)'s official site

Need help? Contact Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning):

Email: LHCBursary@lifehealthcare.co.za

Phone: 011 219 9000

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

Other Medical & Health Sciences bursaries

More funding opportunities in this field

Gauteng Department of Health Bursary

Gauteng Department of Health

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) funds health training for Gauteng residents through two current programmes. The Gauteng College of Nursing (GCON) student nurse intake trains Diploma in Nursing students on a learning contract, with a monthly stipend paid by the department. The Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) programme sends students from disadvantaged communities to study medicine in Cuba. Applications for the GCON 2027 Student Nurse Intake close on 30 October 2026. As of 12 October 2026, the department had not published a 2027 bursary call for university health-sciences degrees such as pharmacy or physiotherapy, or a new NMFC intake.

View details →

Clicks Foundation Bursary

Clicks Foundation (Clicks Group Limited)

The Clicks Foundation, the corporate social investment arm of JSE-listed retail-pharmacy group Clicks Group Limited, awards merit-based bursaries to South African students pursuing a BPharm (Pharmacy) degree. The fund targets scarce and critical skills in retail and pharmaceutical healthcare, covering registration, tuition, prescribed textbooks and study aids for the year of registration. Preference is given to persons with disabilities and applicants from designated Employment Equity groups.

View details →

SASP National Bursary

South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) (administered directly by the SASP Bursary Committee / SASP Head Office)

The South African Society of Physiotherapy awards the SASP National Bursary to South African citizens studying towards a Physiotherapy qualification at a South African university. It provides partial tuition funding paid directly to your university, and is reserved for students entering their 3rd and 4th years of study. The bursary is awarded year-to-year and must be re-applied for annually, and recipients commit to remaining SASP members and volunteering at SASP events after graduating.

View details →