This year (2023) we are supporting 187 students studying 14 different health science disciplines - 216 of the 187 students are studying medicine! This year, we selected 58 new students who come from the Umkhanyakude, Zululand and King Cetshwayo districts of KwaZulu-Natal.
To be eligible for UYDF top-up support all students must have applied and received a National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary.
Student Selection Criteria
For youth to be eligible for consideration for a scholarship, they must:
- Be from the Umkhanyakude, Zululand, or King Cetshwayo districts in Northern KwaZulu-Natal, or live close to St Patricks hospital (Bizana) or Zithulele hospital (Hole in the Wall) in the Eastern Cape
- Have completed at least one week's worth of volunteer work at their local hospital
- Have been accepted to study an approved health science degree
- Have obtained approval for NSFAS financial support (UYDF will top-up the NSFAS allowances as well as provide mentoring support)
- Be willing on graduation to work in the public sector in a rural or under-served area
- Be interviewed and accepted by a local selection committee
Once students have been accepted into the programme they receive top-up funding to complement their NSFAS bursary, and to cover costs not included in the NSFAS bursary, as well as academic and social mentoring support. Our mentoring support has enabled hundreds of rural students to successfully navigate higher education and graduate. Here are website details of 21 academic institutions that will provide information about the university application process. Below is a valuable resource providing details of different health science disciplines.
Health Science Disciplines
Click on the career for job descriptions, salary statistics, education and training information and job opportunities:
Biomedical Technology
Medical technologists perform tests on blood samples, urine and skin scrapings, and provide results for diagnostic purposes.
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Clinical Associates
Clinical associates are healthcare providers found in South Africa.
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Dental Therapy
Dental Therapy provides a vital service in dental care and preventative dentistry to the public.
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Emergency and Medical Care (Paramedic)
Paramedics respond to accident scenes, whether on the road or elsewhere, to lend medical assistance to accident victims.
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Environmental Health
The theory and practice of assessing, correcting, controlling and preventing those factors in the environment that can adversely affect the health of present and future generations.
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Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics
A specialist in the field of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, where they assess, measure, design, manufacture, maintain and fit all orthoses and prosthesis to patients.
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Occupational Therapy
Assists the physically disabled, mentally disturbed, and children with developmental or learning disabilities to function independently in everyday life.
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Oral Hygiene
The practice of keeping the mouth and teeth clean to prevent dental problems and bad breath.
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Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists test and measure the function of the musculoskeletal, pulmonary, neurological and cardiovascular systems of patients.
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Psychology
Psychology is the science of the soul.
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Radiography
Radiographers take X-rays and apply radioactive substances to specific parts of the patients’ bodies for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Social Work
Social workers work with individuals, families, groups and communities to facilitate health and well-being.
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Speech Therapy
Speech therapists diagnose and treat patients who have voice, speech and language disorders.
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