Medical & Health Sciences

Cipla Bursary Programme

Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system)

The Cipla Bursary Programme is a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary bursary run by pharmaceutical company Cipla South Africa, covering tuition, accommodation, meals, books and a one-time laptop allowance for high-achieving South African students. Established in 2017 as a strategic skills pipeline, it supports scarce and critical skills across Pharmacy, Health Sciences, Engineering, Supply Chain and more, and offers a pathway into the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation. Applications are submitted exclusively online through Cipla's careers (TurboHire) portal.

Amount
Comprehensive bursary covering tuition, accommodation, meals, books and a one-time laptop allowance up to R8,000 (funds paid directly to the institution around 30 March annually)
Deadline
To be announced
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system) supports students in the following disciplines

Pharmacy
Health Sciences
Natural Sciences
Engineering
Computer Science & Information Science
Economic Management Sciences (EMS)
Graphic Design
Human Sciences / Industrial Psychology / HR
Manufacturing (logistics, demand planning, production, warehousing)
Supply Chain Management
Social Sciences (Digital Marketing and Communications)

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen
  • ✓ Studying at a recognised, accredited public tertiary institution in South Africa
  • ✓ Minimum overall academic average of 70% (must be maintained each year for renewal)
  • ✓ Currently registered or accepted in an eligible field of study
  • ✓ Willing to participate in vacation work
  • ✓ Willing to apply to the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation
  • ✓ Fluent in English
  • ✓ Highly motivated and excellence-focused

What's Included

  • ✓ Tuition fees
  • ✓ Accommodation
  • ✓ Meals
  • ✓ Books
  • ✓ One-time laptop allowance (up to R8,000)
  • ✓ Access to the ICAS employee wellness programme
  • ✓ Psychometric assessment feedback
  • ✓ Vacation work opportunities
  • ✓ Access to Cipla Subject Matter Experts for mentorship and networking
  • ✓ Pathway to apply for the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation

Work Commitment

No formal post-study work-back obligation, but recipients must participate in vacation work and are required to apply to the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system) bursary application

  1. 1

    Visit the Cipla bursary page at za.cipla.africa/careers/bursary-program/ when applications are open

  2. 2

    Apply online via the Cipla careers / TurboHire portal (ciplasouthafrica.turbohire.co) — this is the only accepted channel

  3. 3

    Complete the online application form in full and upload all required supporting documents

  4. 4

    Ensure your application is complete; incomplete applications are automatically disqualified

  5. 5

    Shortlisted candidates may complete a psychometric assessment and receive feedback

  6. 6

    Successful applicants are notified and funds are credited to the institution account (around 30 March)

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
  • 📄 Latest academic results / transcript showing a 70%+ average
  • 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at a recognised public tertiary institution
  • 📄 Up-to-date CV
  • 📄 Matric certificate or latest school results (for first-year applicants)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the Cipla Bursary Programme?
South African citizens studying at a recognised, accredited public tertiary institution in South Africa with a minimum overall academic average of 70%. Applicants must be fluent in English, willing to do vacation work, and willing to apply to the Cipla Graduate Skills Programme after graduation.
Is the Cipla bursary only for Pharmacy and medical students?
No. Although Cipla is a pharmaceutical company and Pharmacy and Health Sciences are prominent, the bursary is genuinely cross-disciplinary. It also covers Natural Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science, Economic Management Sciences, Supply Chain Management, Graphic Design, Industrial Psychology/HR, Manufacturing and Digital Marketing/Communications.
How and where do I apply?
Applications are accepted exclusively online through Cipla's careers system on the TurboHire portal (ciplasouthafrica.turbohire.co), linked from za.cipla.africa/careers/bursary-program/. Incomplete applications are automatically disqualified, and no other application channels are accepted.
When does the Cipla bursary open and close?
The programme runs annually. The 2026 cycle closed on 17 February 2026, and the next intake is expected to open in late 2026 or early 2027 for the following academic year. Applicants are advised not to contact Cipla once the bursary has closed.

When do 2027 applications open?

Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 17 February 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system) before you rely on them.

Check Cipla South Africa (Pty) Ltd (administered in-house via the Cipla careers/TurboHire online application system)'s official site

Information verified 2026-02-17. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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