Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Bursary
Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom)
The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness funds unemployed Western Cape residents studying full-time towards selected Health Science qualifications such as nursing, medicine (MBChB), pharmacy and the allied therapies. The bursary covers institutional fees (registration, tuition and examination fees) but not accommodation, and recipients sign a contract requiring a community service year plus a work-back period at the Department or repayment of all costs. The list of funded qualifications can change each year based on the Department's service-delivery needs.
- Amount
- Financial assistance towards registration, tuition and examination fees only (accommodation not covered). No fixed cash amount is published — it covers the listed institutional fees for the duration of the contract.
- Deadline
- Closed 30 September 2026
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Resides within the Western Cape province
- ✓ Unemployed member of the public
- ✓ Has completed Matric
- ✓ Studying or intending to study full-time towards one of the listed Health Science qualifications
- ✓ Accepted, registered, or awaiting acceptance at an accredited Higher Education Institution (HEI)
- ✓ Demonstrate financial need (parents'/guardians' proof of income required)
- ✓ Willing to complete clinical hours where required
- ✓ Clean criminal record
- ✓ Willing to sign a bursary contract with a work-back obligation
What's Included
- ✓ Registration fees
- ✓ Tuition fees
- ✓ Examination fees
- ✓ Funding for the duration of the bursary contract for selected Health Science qualifications
- ✓ Pathway into a community service placement and employment with the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness
Work Commitment
Recipients must sign a bursary contract with a work-back obligation: complete a community service year (counted as year one of the obligation) and then apply for and work back the remaining contracted years at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, or refund all bursary expenses.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom) bursary application
- 1
Register and log in on the online Department of Health Bursary System (HEALP) portal at https://hsdims.westerncape.gov.za/healp_apex/f?p=107:1
- 2
Complete the multi-step application form (personal information, guardian details, prior qualifications and application specifics)
- 3
Upload all required certified supporting documents and your motivational letter
- 4
Submit the application before the closing date (applications for the 2027 academic year open 15 June 2026 and close 30 September 2026)
- 5
Wait for the outcome, announced in January/February 2027
- 6
If successful, sign the bursary contract with its community service and work-back obligations
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
- 📄 Certified Matric certificate
- 📄 Latest academic results
- 📄 Proof of Western Cape residence
- 📄 Parents'/guardians' proof of income
- 📄 Motivational letter
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies for the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness Bursary?
- Unemployed South African citizens who reside in the Western Cape, have completed Matric, and are studying or intend to study full-time towards one of the listed Health Science qualifications at an accredited Higher Education Institution. A clean criminal record and willingness to sign a work-back contract are also required.
- What costs does the bursary cover?
- It covers registration fees, tuition fees and examination fees for the duration of the contract. Accommodation is not covered, and no fixed cash amount is published — the bursary pays the listed institutional fees only.
- What is the work-back obligation?
- Recipients sign a contract requiring them to complete a community service year (which counts as the first year of the obligation) and then apply for and work back the remaining contracted years at the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness. If they do not, they must refund all bursary expenses.
- When does the Western Cape Department of Health bursary close?
- Applications for the 2027 academic year open on 15 June 2026 and close on 30 September 2026, with results announced in January/February 2027. The application window opens annually around mid-year, so check the online portal for the current cycle's dates.
2027 applications have closed
The 2027 application window closed on 30 September 2026.
Check Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom)'s official site for the next application window.
Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.
Check Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Western Cape Government, Department of Health and Wellness (administered in-house via the Department of Health Bursary System / HEALP online portal; programme coordinator Monray Strydom):
Email: Monray.Strydom@westerncape.gov.za
Phone: 021 483 6610 (Monray Strydom, Project Coordinator); 021 483 6597 (Sisipho Folose, support); 021 483 7038 (Nathan Kantwe)
Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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