University of Cape Town Faculty of Health Sciences Courses or Programmes Offered
Postgraduate studies
Degrees & diplomas
- Addictions Care
- Clinical Developmental Paediatrics
- Clinical Hepatology
- Clinical Paediatric Cardiology
- Clinical Paediatric Critical Care
- Clinical Paediatric Diabetes
- Clinical Paediatric Electrophysiology and Epilepsy
- Clinical Paediatric Emergency Care
- Clinical Paediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Paediatric Haematology/Oncology
- Clinical Paediatric Nephrology
- Clinical Paediatric Physiotherapy
- Clinical Paediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Paediatric Rheumatology
- Community and General Paediatrics
- Community Eye Health
- Dermatology Nursing
- Disability Studies
- Family Medicine
- Health Economics
- Health Management
- Health Professional Education
- Healthcare Technology Management
- Interdisciplinary Pain Management
- Maternal & Child Health
- Nursing, in the following streams:
- Advanced Midwifery and Neonatal Care
- Child Nursing
- Child Critical Care Nursing
- Nephrology Nursing
- Neuroscience Nursing
- Ophthalmic Nursing
- Diabetes Mellitus Nursing & Education
- Nursing Education
- Nursing Management
- Occupational Health
- Paediatric Radiology
- Palliative Medicine
- Pesticide Risk Management
- Psychotherapy
- TB-HIV Management
– See more at: http://www.health.uct.ac.za/fhs/apply/postgrad/degrees#sthash.FUSTns72.dpuf
Need Information or Confused about Something ?
Ask a Question- Honours DegreesBachelor of Medical Science Honours, in the following disciplines:
- Applied Anatomy
- Bioinformatics
- Biokinetics
- Biological Anthropology
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Dietetics
- Exercise Science
- Forensic Genetics
- Human Genetics
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology
- Medical Biochemistry
- Medical Cell Biology
- Medical Physics
- Physiology
- Radiobiology
- Radiation Oncology
- Structural Biology
- Master’s DegreesMaster of Medical Science in NutritionMaster of Medicine, in the following specialities:
- Anaesthesia
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Dermatology
- Diagnostic Radiology
- Emergency Medicine
- Family Medicine
- Medical Genetics
- Medicine
- Neurology
- Neurosurgery
- Nuclear Medicine
- Obstetrics & Gynaecology
- Occupational Medicine
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Paediatric Surgery
- Paediatrics
- Pathology (Anatomical)
- Pathology (Chemical)
- Pathology (Clinical)
- Pathology (Forensic)
- Pathology (Haematological)
- Pathology (Microbiological)
- Pathology (Virological)
- Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
- Psychiatry
- Public Health Medicine
- Radiation Oncology
- Surgery
- UrologyMaster of Philosophy (by coursework & dissertation), in
- Addiction Psychiatry
- Biokinetics
- Clinical Paediatric Surgery
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Clinical Research Administration
- Emergency Medicine
- Exercise & Sports Physiotherapy
- Forensic Psychiatry
- Health Innovation
- Intellectual Disability
- Liaison Psychiatry
- Maternal & Child Health
- Occupational Health
- Paediatric Forensic Pathology
- Paediatric Pathology
- Palliative Medicine
- Sport & Exercise MedicineMaster of Philosophy (by dissertation) in a range of disciplinesMaster of Philosophy (for subspeciality training) in the following areas:
- Advanced hepatology & Transplantation
- Allergology (adult & paediatric)
- Cardiology
- Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
- Clinical Haematology
- Critical Care
- Developmental Paediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Geriatric Medicine
- Gynaecological Oncology
- Infectious Disease & HIV Medicine
- Medical Gastroenterology
- Nephrology
- Neuropsychiatry
- Paediatric Cardiology
- Paediatric Child Health
- Paediatric Critical Care
- Paediatric Endocrinology
- Paediatric Gastroenterology
- Paediatric Infectious Diseases
- Paediatric Nephrology
- Paediatric Neurology
- Paediatric Oncology
- Paediatric Pulmonology
- Paediatric Rheumatology
- Pulmonology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Surgical Gastroenterology
- Trauma Surgery
- Vascular SurgeryMaster of Public Health in the following streams:
- General Publich Health
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology & Biostatistics
- Health Economics
- Health Systems
- Social & Behavioural Sciences
- Master of Science in Audiology (by dissertation)Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (by coursework and dissertation)Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering (by dissertation)
- Master of Science in Medicine In Genetic Counselling (by coursework & dissertation)Master of Science in Medicine (by dissertation) in a range of disciplines
- Master of Science in Nursing (by coursework & dissertation)
- Master of Science in Nursing (by dissertation)Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (by coursework & dissertation)
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (by dissertation)
- Master of Science in Physiotherapy (by dissertation)
- Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (by dissertation)
- Master’s in Nursing in Child NursingProfessional Master’s in Paediatric Neurosurgery
- Doctoral Degrees
Sponsored Guide
Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.