Mediclinic

About Mediclinic

Mediclinic is a private healthcare group with deep roots in Southern Africa. The group dates to 1983, when research commissioned by the Rembrandt Group, now Remgro, led to its creation under Dr Edwin Hertzog. Its Southern African business now reports 50 hospitals, 15 day clinics, sub-acute and mental health facilities in South Africa, and three private hospitals in Namibia. The wider business also includes the Intercare primary healthcare group and ER24 emergency medical services. Remgro took full ownership of Mediclinic Southern Africa on 1 July 2026, after a restructure with its former co-owner MSC.

A hospital group of this size needs a constant supply of nurses, pharmacists and emergency care practitioners. Mediclinic itself points to a global shortage of qualified healthcare professionals as the reason for its funding. That shortage has a direct effect on patient care and on the daily running of hospitals. Therefore, investing in students serves a practical business need as well as a wider social one. A bursary also helps young people enter careers that many families could not otherwise afford.

How Mediclinic supports students

Mediclinic supports training in two main ways. First, Mediclinic Higher Education offers its own nursing and emergency care courses, along with short courses. Second, the group grants a limited number of external bursaries towards course fees for people enrolling or enrolled in nursing, pharmacy or emergency medical care at other registered institutions. Applicants need suitable results and proof of acceptance or registration. Mediclinic also says it gives preference to Employment Equity candidates, and it considers the financial position of applicants or their parents.

What to know before applying

Timing is important here. Mediclinic's bursary page currently says that it is not open for applications for the 2027 academic year. Be careful of websites that claim otherwise, and treat the official page as the final word. Any new intake should appear there first. In the meantime, students can look at Mediclinic Higher Education's own programmes, or at other healthcare funding on this site.

Does Mediclinic expect work-back from bursary holders? The external bursary page does not describe a work-back obligation, and we could not confirm one. Healthcare bursaries sometimes carry a service commitment, but that general practice does not show what a specific Mediclinic contract says. Ask before you accept, and read the agreement carefully. Check what happens if you change your programme, fail a year or find a job with a different employer after you qualify.

A career in private healthcare can offer strong clinical training, but the work is demanding. Before you apply for this kind of funding, speak to working nurses, pharmacists or paramedics about shifts, stress and career paths. Check also that your institution and programme hold the right accreditation with the relevant professional council. This step protects your qualification, and it makes any funding application stronger.