Nursing Learnerships 2026: The “Earn-While-You-Learn” Guide

Key Takeaways: Free Education?

• The Concept: A Learnership is a structured learning programme where you study theory and work in a hospital simultaneously. Instead of paying fees, you receive a monthly stipend.
• The Providers: The biggest providers are the private hospital groups (Netcare, Life Healthcare, Mediclinic) and the Department of Health.
• The Qualification: Most learnerships now focus on the Higher Certificate in Nursing (R169) (1 Year) or the Diploma in Nursing (R171) (3 Years).
• The Stipend: In 2026, stipends typically range from R3,500 to R6,000 per month, depending on the institution.
• The Scam Alert: If an “agent” asks you to pay R2,500 for a uniform or “application fee” via Pep/E-Wallet, it is a scam. Genuine learnerships are 100% FREE.

Nursing is a calling, but for many South Africans, it is an expensive one. Private nursing college fees can run up to R50,000 per year. If you don’t have that money, your only option is a Learnership or a Bursary.

These programmes are the “Golden Tickets” of the medical world. They cover your tuition, books, and uniform, and they pay you a salary while you train.

However, because they are so valuable, they are rare. For every 1 spot, there are 1,000 applicants.

Here is your definitive guide to finding, applying for, and securing a Nursing Learnership in 2026.

1. Learnership vs. Bursary: What’s the Difference?

Students often use these words interchangeably, but they are different legal contracts.

The Learnership (SETA Funded)

• Funder: Usually the HWSETA (Health and Welfare SETA) or a private company tax incentive.
• Structure: You sign a 12-month contract. You spend 40% of your time in class and 60% working in the wards.
• Outcome: You get a qualification (usually the Higher Certificate) and work experience.
• Employment: At the end of the year, you are not guaranteed a permanent job, though top students are often absorbed.

The Bursary (Government Funded)

• Funder: The Department of Health (e.g., Gauteng College of Nursing).
• Structure: You are a full-time student. You get a monthly stipend for food/transport.
• Outcome: You get a Diploma or Degree.
• Employment: You usually sign a “Service Contract” (Work-Back Agreement). You must work for the government for every year they funded you.

Note: For the purpose of this guide, we will cover both, as they both result in “Free Nursing.”

2. Who Offers Nursing Learnerships? (The Big 3)

Do not waste time emailing random doctors. Focus on the three giants of the private sector.

1. Netcare Education

Netcare is the largest private trainer of nurses in SA.

• The Programme: They often offer learnerships for the Higher Certificate in Nursing (Auxiliary) and specialized courses for qualified nurses.
• How to Apply: Netcare NEVER advertises on Facebook or Gumtree. You must apply via their official careers portal.
• The Myth: “Netcare Learnerships” advertised on WhatsApp are almost always scams.

2. Life Healthcare

Life Healthcare (Life College of Learning) is famous for its high standards.

• The Programme: They run annual intakes for the Higher Certificate and Diploma.
• Funding: They select top candidates for full funding.
• Campuses: Roodepoort, Springs, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth.

3. Mediclinic

Mediclinic runs a very structured training programme.

• The Programme: They offer the Higher Certificate in Nursing.
• Learnership Intake: Usually opens mid-year (June/July) or end-of-year.
• Requirements: They are strict about Maths and Life Science marks.

3. Department of Health (Government) Intake

This is the largest employer of learners. Each province runs its own intake.

• Gauteng: Uses the GPG Professional Job Centre (nursingintake.gauteng.gov.za).
• KwaZulu-Natal: Uses the KZN Health online portal.
• Western Cape: Uses the generic Western Cape Government bursary portal.
• Limpopo / Mpumalanga: Often still use paper forms available at local hospitals (but moving online).

Tip: Government intakes usually open in May/June for the following year. Set a reminder on your phone now.

4. Admission Requirements (2026)

You cannot get a learnership without meeting the SANC (South African Nursing Council) minimums.

For the Higher Certificate (1 Year):

• Matric (NSC): Passed.
• English: Level 3 or 4 (40-50%).
• Life Sciences: Level 3 or 4 (40-50%).
• Maths Literacy: Accepted (Level 4+).

For the Diploma (3 Years):

• Matric (NSC): Diploma Pass.
• English: Level 4 (50%).
• Life Sciences: Level 4 (50%).
• Maths / Math Lit: Level 3 or 4.

Reality Check: Because learnerships are free, competition is fierce. If you only have the minimum marks, you likely won’t get in. You need Level 5 or 6 in Life Sciences to stand out.

5. The Stipend: How Much Will You Earn?

Stipends are not salaries. They are meant to cover transport and lunch.

• SETA Learnership: R3,500 – R5,000 per month.
• Department of Health Bursary: R5,000 – R7,000 per month (varies by province).
• Private Hospital (Internal Bursary): varies, sometimes covers fees only with no stipend.

Warning: Do not rely on this money to support a whole family. It is barely enough for student living costs.

6. How to Spot a “Nursing Learnership” Scam

This is the most critical section of this article. Nursing scams steal millions from poor students every year.

The “Red Flags” Checklist:

1. The “Fax Number”: Legitimate companies (Netcare, Mediclinic) stopped using fax machines in 2010. If the ad says “Fax your CV to 086…”, it is a scam.
2. The “Gmail” Address: Netcare will never use netcare.jobs@gmail.com. They use @netcare.co.za.
3. The “Uniform Fee”: If they ask you to deposit R2,000 for a uniform or “admin fee” before you interview, it is a scam.
4. The “086” Number: If you call the number and it goes to a voicemail asking you to stay on the line, they are stealing your airtime.
5. The “Pep Store” Payment: No hospital accepts payment via Pep Money Market or Cash Send.

Rule of Thumb: A learnership is a job interview. You never pay to get a job.

7. How to Apply Successfully

Since you can’t pay a bribe, you have to win on merit.

Step 1: Get Certified

Certify your ID, Matric Certificate, and Grade 11 results. Ensure the stamp is less than 3 months old.

Step 2: Write a Motivational Letter

Do not just send a blank email with a CV attached. Write a cover letter:

• “I am applying for the Nursing Learnership because…”
• Mention your subjects: “I achieved 70% in Life Sciences…”
• Mention your character: “I have volunteered at the local clinic…”

Step 3: Volunteer

If you have no experience, go to your local hospice or old age home and volunteer for 2 weeks. Get a reference letter. This proves to the hospital that you can handle the “dirty work” (cleaning patients, long hours) and aren’t just there for the money.

Summary: Persistence is Key

You will likely be rejected the first time. Do not give up.

Action Plan:

1. Check the Official Sites: Bookmark the career pages of Netcare, Life Healthcare, and Mediclinic. Check them every Monday.
2. Clean your CV: Remove any fluff. Highlight your Life Science marks and any caregiving experience.
3. Register on the GPG: If you are in Gauteng, make sure your profile on the GPG Professional Job Centre is active and updated.

If you apply and don’t get the learnership, you might need to improve your Matric marks to become a stronger candidate. Read this Article: How to Upgrade Matric Subjects: The Second Chance Programme

Disclaimer: Learnership availability is dependent on SETA funding cycles. Hospitals are not legally required to offer learnerships every year.