Full List of Nursing Courses Offered at SA Universities in 2026

Nursing Courses in South Africa for 2026

Are you planning to study nursing in South Africa in 2026? This guide provides a comprehensive list of nursing courses offered at public universities across all provinces. Whether you're interested in becoming a professional nurse, midwife, or pursuing advanced nursing specialisations, this article outlines the options available and how to apply.

Nursing Degrees and Diplomas by University (2026)

Below is a breakdown of SANC-accredited nursing courses in South Africa for the 2026 academic year, sorted by province and university.

Eastern Cape

• Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science
  • Postgraduate Diplomas: Primary Care Nursing, Nursing Education
• Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diplomas: Midwifery, Critical Care Nursing

Free State

• University of the Free State (UFS)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Postgraduate Diplomas: Nursing Education, Health Services Management, Midwifery

Gauteng

• University of Pretoria (UP)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNurs)
  • Diplomas: Emergency Nursing, Nursing Education
• University of Johannesburg (UJ)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diplomas: Midwifery, Adult Critical Care
• Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
  • Bachelor of Curationis
  • Honours & Master’s in Nursing Science
• University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science
  • Diplomas: Infection Control, Nursing Education

KwaZulu-Natal

• University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Postgraduate Diplomas: Nursing Education, Critical Care Nursing
• Durban University of Technology (DUT)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diplomas: Occupational Health, Health Services Management
• University of Zululand (UniZulu)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science

Limpopo

• University of Limpopo (UL)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
• University of Venda (UNIVEN)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science
  • Nursing Diploma

North West

• North-West University (NWU)
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diplomas: Adult Care Nursing, Health Management

Western Cape

• University of the Western Cape (UWC)
  • Bachelor of Nursing & Midwifery
  • Diplomas: Mental Health, Midwifery, Psychiatric Nursing
• Stellenbosch University
  • Bachelor of Nursing
  • Diplomas: Emergency Nursing, Critical Care
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, Nursing Diploma
• University of Cape Town (UCT)
  • Advanced Diplomas: Midwifery, Child Nursing, Ophthalmic Nursing

Private Nursing Institutions (2026)

• Mediclinic Nursing College – Diploma in Nursing (3 Years)
• Life Healthcare College of Learning – Higher Certificate in Nursing (Auxiliary)
• Netcare, Healthnicon & Others – Diploma and Certificate Courses in General Nursing and Midwifery

SANC-Accredited Nursing Courses in South Africa

All the above nursing courses are accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), which ensures quality and eligibility for registration as a:

• Registered Nurse
• Professional Nurse
• Midwife
• Nurse Specialist

Universities Still Open for 2026 Applications!!!

• Vaal University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Walter Sisulu University (Closing Date: 31 October 2025)
• University of Mpumalanga (Closing Date: 30 November 2025)
• University of Cape Town (Closing Date: 31 July 2025)
• Stellenbosch University (Closing Date: 31 July 2025)
• North West University (Closing Date: 31 August 2025)
• Tshwane University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Free State (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Limpopo (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Venda (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Central University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Johannesburg (Closing Date: 31 October 2025)
• Nelson Mandela University (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Witwatersrand (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Western Cape (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Sefako Makgatho University (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of KwaZulu-Natal (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Durban University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• University of Zululand (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Mangosuthu University of Technology (Closing Date: 30 September 2025)
• Sol Plaatje University (Closing Date: 30 November 2025)

General Nursing Admission Requirements (2026)

To qualify for most nursing degrees in 2026, you will need:

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with bachelor’s endorsement
• An APS score of 28–30 (varies by institution)
• Core subjects:
  • English (50%+)
  • Life Sciences (compulsory)
  • Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy

Some universities may also require:

• National Benchmark Tests (NBTs)
• Health assessments or interviews

Nursing Application Dates for 2026

Here’s a general timeline for 2026 nursing applications:

How to Choose the Right Nursing Course in 2026

When deciding where to study nursing in South Africa, consider the following:

• 📍 Location – Study near home or explore a new province
• 💡 Specialisation – Choose from general nursing, midwifery, psychiatric nursing, etc.
• 📚 Level of Study – Certificate, diploma, degree, or postgraduate
• 💸 Tuition Fees – Public universities: ~R20,000–R60,000 per year
• 🎓 Accreditation – Make sure the institution is SANC-accredited

Conclusion

Whether you're starting your nursing journey or looking to specialise in 2026, South Africa offers a wide variety of accredited courses. From public universities to private nursing colleges, you'll find quality courses that prepare you for registration with the South African Nursing Council and successful employment in the healthcare sector.