Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions.
It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, management, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention, and health promotion.
What can you do with a qualification in Physiotherapy?
The career has many specialties including musculoskeletal, orthopedics, cardiopulmonary, neurology, endocrinology, sports medicine, geriatrics, pediatrics, women's health, wound care and electromyography. PTs practice in many settings, both public and private.
In addition to clinical practice, other aspects of physical therapist practice include research, education, consultation, and health administration.
Physical therapy is provided as a primary care treatment or alongside, or in conjunction with, other medical services.
Where to study Physiotherapy in South Africa
There are 26 public universities in South Africa. Here are the institutions that offer Physiotherapy:
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU)
- Stellenbosch University
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- University of the Witwatersrand (WITS)
Bursaries for Physiotherapy in South Africa
NSFAS
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides the DHET bursary which covers first undergraduate courses in any field of study, done at a public institution. This means that physiotherapy courses will also be covered.
The NSFAS requirements are as follows:
- South African citizen
- All SASSA grant recipients qualifies for funding
- Combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
- Person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum
- Registered or applying to study at a public institution in South Africa
The Department of Correctional Service (DCS) Bursary Programme
The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme. Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following fields:
- Primary Health Care (National Certificate)
- Nursing (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (Degree)
- Psychology (Degree)
- Occupational Health and Safety (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Agricultural Science (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Artisans/ Engineering (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Criminology (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Education (Degree)
- Finance and Logistics (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Food Services (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Graphic Design (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Information Technology (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Monitoring and Evalution (Degree)
- Occupational Directed: Education, Training and Development Practices (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Penology and Correctional Services (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Recognition of Prior Learning students included
- Project Management (Degree)
- Risk and Disaster Management (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Security Management (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Supply Chain Management (National Diploma/ Degree)
- Textile Clothing Design (National Diploma)
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have completed Matric or an NCV certificate at NQF level 4
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old and unemployed OR you must be an employee of the Department of Correctional Services of any age
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards one of the qualifications listed above
- You must be studying or have been accepted to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must be in financial need
- You must NOT be receiving financial support from any other private or public institution
- Candidates with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Rustenburg Municipality Bursary
The Rustenburg Local Municipality is located in the North West Province, and is inviting students to apply for their mayoral bursary, which will be awarded within the following fields of study:
- Health
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Finance
- Agriculture Science
- Tourism
- Hospitality
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must reside within the Rustenburg Local Municipal area
- Must have completed Matric
- Must be studying or plan on studying full-time within one of the aforementioned fields of study
- Must Have been accepted/ provisionally accepted to study at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa
- Preference will be given to students with the highest academic results
- Parents/ guardians total monthly income must NOT be more than R3500
- Disabled and previously disadvantaged students are welcome to apply
Limpopo Department of Health Bursary
The Limpopo Department of Health is a department of the South African government, and will be awarding bursaries to deserving and financially needing students, within the Medical/ Health Science field.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be studying or intend on studying within one of the aforementioned fields
- Must be Residing within the Limpopo Province
- Must be from a previously disadvantaged background
- Must have a proven financial need
Harmony Bursary
Harmony was founded in 1950 as a gold mining and exploration organisation in South Africa. Today, Harmony is one of the largest gold mining companies across the globe, with mines operating in both South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
Harmony is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme. Bursaries will be awarded to top-performing students, for studies within core- and non-core mining disciplines, including the following fields:
Non-core mining disciplines:
- Health Sciences
- Accounting
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
- Social Sciences
Core mining disciplines:
- Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current only)
- Extractive Metallurgy
- Geology
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Rock Engineering
- Survey
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be between 18 and 35 years old
- You must have achieved a minimum result of 60% for all subjects in Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a qualification within one of the above fields of study
- You must be entering your 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study
- You must be enrolled at a recognised tertiary institute in South Africa
- You must have a strong academic record
- Engineering students/ applicants: you must have achieved a minimum result of 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric
- Core mining discipline students/ applicants: you must have achieved a minimum of level 6 in Mathematics and Science (NOT Mathematics Literacy)
- Current tertiary students: you must have achieved a minimum result of 60% for all major subjects
- You must NOT be in receipt of any other bursary funding
- Preference will be given to: students pursuing core mining fields of studies, students from Harmony host communities, students from Harmony labour sending areas, dependents of Harmony employees and historically disadvantaged persons
- Students with disabilities are welcome to apply, however selection will be based on physical demands of the occupation related to a qualification
Cipla Bursary South Africa
Cipla Medpro South Africa (Pty) Limited is one of South Africa’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Cipla is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme. Bursaries will be awarded for studies within these fields:
- Health Science
- Natural Science
- Pharmacy
- Human Sciences, Industrial Psychology and Human Resources
- Computer Science and Information Science
- Digital Marketing and Communications
- Engineering
- Economic Management Sciences (including Accounting, Business Studies and Finance)
- Graphic Design
- Manufacturing (including Demand Planning, Logistics, Production and Warehousing)
- Social Science
- Supply Chain & Project Management
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be between 21 and 28 years old
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying towards a qualification in one of the fields listed above
- You must have completed your first year of study
- You must be registered for your 2nd, 3rd, 4th or later year of study
- Honours and Masters students may be considered if they have completed a qualification in one of the fields listed above and meet all the other bursary criteria
- PhD students may be considered on a case by case basis
- You must have passed all subjects or modules from the previous academic year
- You must be studying at a recognised and accredited public tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%
- You must be able to maintain a minimum overall average of 70% each year
- You must be willing to partake in vacation work during holidays
- You must be willing to apply to the Cipla Graduate Skills Program after graduation
- You must be fluent in English (able to read, write and speak)
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding
- You must be from groups defined by BBBEE criteria
Head to our Bursary Directory to find the latest bursaries available in South Africa.
