The Western Cape Government: Health and Wellness is inviting unemployed Western Cape residents to apply for its Full-Time Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. The programme provides financial support for selected health science qualifications linked to the province’s healthcare workforce needs.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Western Cape Government: Department of Health and Wellness
Opportunity type: Full-time bursary programme
Who it’s for: Unemployed applicants residing in the Western Cape who want to study selected health science qualifications
Application opening date: 15 June 2026
Application closing date: 30 September 2026
Outcome period: Applications are expected to be concluded in January/February 2027
Last verified: 22 June 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
- This bursary is only for selected health science study fields linked to Western Cape healthcare sector needs.
- The portal states that the application outcome will only be concluded in January/February 2027.
- Funding is limited, so applications go through a selection process.
- Bursary holders have a work-back obligation through employment within the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness.
- Applicants must register on the online system, log in, and complete the application steps online.
- Documents must be scanned and named properly before uploading.
About the sponsor
The Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness uses the bursary programme to support training in priority health occupations. The programme is intended to help unemployed Western Cape residents obtain qualifications needed in the provincial health sector.
Official application portal: Applications must be submitted through the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness online bursary system.
What it covers
The portal describes the bursary as financial aid for selected qualifications. It does not provide a detailed breakdown of exact cost items such as tuition, accommodation, books, meals or allowances on the public overview page.
Applicants should confirm the exact funding conditions during the online application process or through official communication from the Department.
Eligibility
Based on the official bursary portal, applicants should note that the programme is aimed at:
- Unemployed members of the public
- Applicants residing in the Western Cape
- Applicants pursuing selected health science qualifications funded for the relevant academic year
- Applicants who meet the admission criteria of the relevant higher education institution
Bursaries are awarded in collaboration with higher education institutions according to admission criteria.
Fields of study supported
The portal lists bursaries for the following fields:
- Higher Certificate in Emergency Care Assistant
- National Diploma in Emergency Medical Care
- Higher Certificate R169 Nursing
- Diploma in Nursing R171 (General Nurse)
- R174 Nursing
- Degree: B Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy
- Degree Speech Therapy
- Degree Physiotherapy
- Degree Medicine
- Degree Pharmacy
The Department notes that study fields may be added or removed per academic year based on service delivery needs.
Documents to prepare
The public portal does not list every required document on the overview page, but it confirms that Step 5 of the online process is “Upload Documents”.
Applicants should prepare scanned, clearly named copies of likely required documents, including:
- South African ID
- Proof of Western Cape residence
- Latest academic results
- Matric certificate or latest Grade 12 results, where applicable
- Proof of application, acceptance or registration at a relevant higher education institution, if available
- Any additional documents requested by the online system
Closing date
30 September 2026.
Applications opened on 15 June 2026 and close on 30 September 2026. Applicants should submit early to avoid upload or login problems close to the deadline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the last day to register and apply
- Uploading unclear, incorrectly named or incomplete documents
- Applying for a field that is not listed for the current academic year
- Forgetting that Step 5 requires document uploads
- Not completing all five online application steps
- Assuming selection is automatic after applying
- Ignoring the work-back obligation linked to the bursary
- Applying without checking admission requirements at the relevant higher education institution
How this opportunity was verified
This opportunity was verified directly from the official Western Cape Government Health and Wellness bursary portal. The portal confirms the programme purpose, Western Cape residency focus, work-back obligation, application opening date of 15 June 2026, closing date of 30 September 2026, outcome period of January/February 2027, supported fields and online application steps.
How to apply
- Open the official Western Cape Government Health and Wellness bursary portal. (Link Below)
- Select “Register” to create an online profile.
- Log in using your username and password.
- Click the “Apply Online” button.
- Complete the five application steps:
- Step 1: Personal Information
- Step 2: Guardian Information
- Step 3: Previous Qualification
- Step 4: Application
- Step 5: Upload Documents
- Upload all required documents in the correct format.
- Review your application before submitting.
- Submit before 30 September 2026 and keep proof of submission.