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.
- Amount
- GCON student nurses receive a monthly stipend from the department while they train (amount not published), and there are no application or admission fees. NMFC recruits are sponsored by the department to study medicine in Cuba.
- Deadline
- 30 October 2026
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Gauteng Department of Health supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen who lives in Gauteng and matriculated in Gauteng
- ✓ GCON: a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate (Grade 12) or National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 that meets the college's admission requirements
- ✓ GCON: not currently funded by any government department, state-funded scheme or public entity (including NSFAS), and not already enrolled at a tertiary institution
- ✓ GCON: shortlisted applicants must complete a compulsory psychometric assessment; successful candidates undergo medical surveillance and document verification
- ✓ NMFC (2025 call): university-entrance Grade 12 pass with at least level 4 (50%) in Physical Science, Life Sciences, Mathematics and English, aged 18 to 30, never registered at a higher education institution and never bursary-funded
- ✓ NMFC: the 2025 cohort was shortlisted from households earning R350,000 a year or less, with priority for learners from Quintile 1 to 3 schools
What's Included
- ✓ GCON: Diploma in Nursing at one of four campuses (Ann Latsky, Bonalesedi, Chris Hani Baragwanath or SG Lourens)
- ✓ GCON: monthly stipend paid by the Gauteng Department of Health during training
- ✓ GCON: Work Integrated Learning in Gauteng public health facilities
- ✓ No application or admission fees at any stage
- ✓ NMFC: medical training in Cuba, after which graduates join Gauteng's public health service
Work Commitment
GCON students sign a learning contract with the Gauteng College of Nursing and complete Work Integrated Learning at GDoH facilities, including shifts, weekends, public holidays and night duty. NMFC graduates return to work as doctors in Gauteng's public health facilities.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Gauteng Department of Health bursary application
- 1
Check that you meet the GCON requirements: South African citizen, living and matriculated in Gauteng, not funded by NSFAS or any other state scheme, and not already enrolled at a tertiary institution
- 2
Apply online only through the GDoH nursing intake portal (nursingintake.gauteng.gov.za) before 30 October 2026; walk-in applications are not accepted
- 3
Upload certified copies of your ID and matric certificate in PDF format
- 4
If shortlisted, complete the compulsory psychometric assessment; successful candidates then undergo medical surveillance and document verification
- 5
Only successful candidates are contacted
- 6
Applications are free: do not pay anyone who claims they can secure you a place
- 7
For the NMFC Cuba medicine programme, watch the GDoH announcements page for the next call; the last one closed on 31 May 2025
Required Documents
- 📄 GCON: certified copy of your South African ID (PDF)
- 📄 GCON: certified copy of your matric certificate (PDF)
- 📄 NMFC (2025 call): CV, certified birth certificate, and certified IDs of the applicant and parents or guardians
- 📄 NMFC (2025 call): certified National Senior Certificate and transcript
- 📄 NMFC (2025 call): proof of income for both parents or guardians (sworn affidavits if there is no income), and proof of residence validated by the ward councillor or a municipal bill
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Gauteng Department of Health bursary open for 2027?
- The department's open 2027 intake is the GCON Student Nurse Intake 2027, which closes on 30 October 2026. As of 12 October 2026, the GDoH had not published a 2027 bursary call for university health-sciences degrees or a new Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (Cuba) intake.
- Who can apply for the GCON 2027 Student Nurse Intake?
- South African citizens who live and matriculated in Gauteng and hold a Senior Certificate, National Senior Certificate or NC(V) Level 4 that meets the admission requirements. Applicants already funded by NSFAS or any other government scheme, or already enrolled at a tertiary institution, will not be considered.
- How do I apply for the GCON nursing intake?
- Apply online only at nursingintake.gauteng.gov.za and upload certified copies of your ID and matric certificate in PDF format. There are no walk-in applications and no fees. For enquiries, call the Gauteng College of Nursing Central Office on 060 541 4973.
- What is the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro programme?
- It is a GDoH programme that sends students from disadvantaged communities to study medicine in Cuba. The last recruitment was advertised in May 2025 (closing 31 May 2025), and 18 recruits from that round left for Cuba in September 2026. No new call had been published as of 12 October 2026.
- Is there a work-back commitment?
- Yes. GCON students sign a learning contract and complete Work Integrated Learning at GDoH facilities, including shifts, weekends, public holidays and night duty. NMFC graduates return to serve in Gauteng's public health facilities.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 30 October 2026
Apply on Gauteng Department of Health's official siteNeed help? Contact Gauteng Department of Health:
Phone: 060 541 4973 (Gauteng College of Nursing Central Office)
Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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