Life Nursing College Intake 2026

Life Nursing College Application Information

 Internal applicants (Life Healthcare employees): Please use the company intranet to apply.

 External applicants: Please go to your nearest Life College of Learning learning centre to complete the application form.

Courses offered:

 Diploma in General Nursing (offered at all the learning centres)

 Diploma in Operating Department Assistance (offered at the Pretoria learning centre only)

 Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science – post basic (only offered at East London, West Rand and KZN learning centres.)

 New undergraduate nursing programmes will be effective as per the SANC (South African Nursing Council) in 2026.

Application details:

• Applications must be submitted by 31 August.
• Online applications on Life Healthcare website (www.lifehealthcare.co.za).
• Proof of non-refundable administration fee; together with the required supporting documentation to be submitted online.
• All applications will follow the college selection process.

Application information

Admission requirements:

• Grade 12 (Standard 10) or equivalent qualification.
• Current enrolment as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
• At least six months recent experience in general wards.

Note: Enrolled nurses with a Grade 10 (Standard 8) certificate may apply pending approval by the South African Nursing Council.

Download course brochure

Diploma in General Nursing

Bridging course for enrolled nurses leading to registration as a general nurse (SANC regulation no. 683)

• The Life College of Learning trains over 1 000 students per year. The multi-learning centre model enables Life Healthcare to offer relational practice-based nursing.
• Accredited as a private higher education institution by the Council for Higher Education and by Umalusi as a further education and training institution.
• The college is geared to train professional nursing personnel of world-class quality for the extensive Life Healthcare hospital network, as well as for other institutions that are in need of trained nurses.
• Standards are maintained and moderated by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth and the South African Nursing Council.

Modules:

First year
Module 1 : Integrated general nursing science I.
Module 2 : Applied social sciences I. Module 3 : Nursing dynamics I.

Second year
Module 1 : Integrated general nursing science II.
Module 2 : Applied social sciences II. Module 3 : Nursing dynamics II.

Outcomes
On completion of the diploma you will be a qualified general nurse, registered with the South African Nursing Council. This will enable you to practice in this capacity in the South African healthcare system. Your scope of practice will allow you to provide general nursing care. You can advance your career in nursing through further studies.

TARGET GROUPS : Enrolled nurses who want to further their career and become registered nurses. COURSE INFORMATION Duration Two years. Commencement date January/June. Cost As per annual fee structure.

Admission Requirements

■ Grade 12 (Standard 10) or equivalent qualification.

■ Current enrolment as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.

■ At least six months recent experience in general wards.

Note: Enrolled nurses with a Grade 10 (Standard 8) certificate may apply pending approval by the South African Nursing Council.
Start Date: 04 June 2026
Duration: Two years
Cost: As per annual fee structure

APPLICATION Applications must be submitted by 31 August.

■ Online applications on Life Healthcare website (www.lifehealthcare.co.za).

■ Proof of non-refundable admisistration fee; together with the required supporting documentation to be submitted online.

■ All applications will follow the college selection process.

DIPLOMA IN OPERATING DEPARTMENT ASSISTANCE

Target Group: Access to the programme is open, conditional to the admission requirements and the students’ access to the facilities that will enable both theoretical and clinical learning to take place under recognized supervision.

The following demographic profile is envisaged: The following demographic profile is envisaged: • Age: 18-30 years old • Gender: male or female • Interest: healthcare

Duration: Three (3) years of full time study

Commencement date: January of each year

Cost: As per annual fee structure

Admission requirements:

• Minimum statutory NSC requirements for entrance into higher education, diploma entry level must be met

• A recognised qualification deemed to be equivalent by the college senate and professional body

• Language English at NSC achievement rating of 4 (50-59%)

• Mathematical literacy at NSC achievement rating of 4 (50-59%) or mathematics at 3 (40-49%)

• Computer literacy at NSC achievement rating of 3 (40-49%)

• Life Sciences at NSC achievement rating of 4 (50-59%)

APPLICATIONS

• Applications must be submitted by 31 August.

• Online application on the Life Healthcare website (www.lifehealthcare.co.za).

• Proof of non-refundable administration fee, together with the required supporting documentation to be submitted online.

• All applicants will follow the college selection process.

DIPLOMA IN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL NURSING SCIENCE

Electives: Critical care nursing science Emergency nursing science Operating theatre nursing science Orthopaedic nursing science

TARGET GROUPS Registered nurses who want to specialise in a particular field of nursing.

COURSE INFORMATION

Duration One academic year.

Commencement date March.

Cost As per annual fee structure.

Admission requirements

■ Current registration with the South African Nursing Council as a nurse.

■ At least three months’ experience in the particular field of specialisation.

■ Proof of current position.

■ Letter of recommendation from your manager.

APPLICATION

Applications must be submitted by 31 August.

■ Online applications on Life Healthcare website (www.lifehealthcare.co.za).

■ Proof of non-refundable administration fee, together with the required supporting documentation to be submitted online.

■ All applicants will follow the college selection process.

Life Nursing College Downloads

Application information

Life College of Learning map

Diploma in General Nursing

Diploma in Operating Department Assistance

Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science