South African Medical Association (SAMA)

About SAMA

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is the professional body for doctors in South Africa. It represents practitioners in both the public and private sectors. Its head office is at Castle Walk Corporate Park in Erasmuskloof, Pretoria. SAMA speaks for the profession on health policy and supports doctors' professional development.

SAMA funds its student support through sponsorships and donations. The association openly invites sponsors to help it fund more medical student bursaries. It treats this work as an investment in the future of the profession.

How SAMA supports students

The main award is a pre-graduate bursary of R20,000 a year for medical students. It is paid directly to the student's university account. The money goes towards tuition only, so you still need to plan for accommodation, books and living costs. SAMA's information states that the bursary is non-exclusive. This means you may keep other bursaries as well.

SAMA has also published two postgraduate awards. The PhD supplementary scholarship is R100,000 plus tuition fees for the relevant year. The Research Masters supplementary scholarship is R50,000, paid equally over two years. Applicants for these must be South African citizens with an MBChB or equivalent degree, and they must already be a year into their research. SAMA members are prioritised.

Why does SAMA fund students? South Africa has too few doctors, and some communities are poorly represented in medicine. Helping capable students finish an expensive degree widens access to the profession. It also builds a stronger medical workforce for the country.

SAMA prioritises its own members when it awards scholarships, so membership can help. Medical students who join early can build links with working doctors. These contacts can help with mentoring and career choices later on. Even a small amount of early guidance can help a first-year student settle into a demanding course.

What to know before applying

The undergraduate bursary is open to South African citizens studying for an MB ChB or MB BCh at a South African university. Selection looks at academic merit first, and only students with an above-average aggregate should apply. Financial need counts too, and students from lower-quintile schools get preference. Applicants have sent two recent school or university reports, a testimonial and mid-year results.

Funding continues only if you keep passing. SAMA does not pay for a repeat year, so a strong academic record protects your award. The bursary does not tie you to work for SAMA, because SAMA is not a healthcare employer. Timelines and forms vary, so check the SAMA website or write to the bursary contact listed there.