Unisa is offering a fully funded opportunity that enables 10 South Africans to study veterinary medicine for six years at the University of Namibia (UNAM), and prepare for a career in veterinary education in South Africa.
For prospective veterinary medicine students, this is an incredibly rare opportunity that offers financial support for a highly specialised field of study, plus a direct contribution to South Africa’s long-term capacity development needs in a critically important sector.
The University of South Africa (Unisa) partners with UNAM to provide the veterinary medicine scholarship
According to the supplied information, Unisa has partnered with the University of Namibia (UNAM) to provide an opportunity for 10 South African students to study a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) at UNAM’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Windhoek.
The information supplied states that only 10 South African students will be selected to participate in the programme.
The scholarship is fully funded and covers registration, tuition fees, accommodation, travel and living expenses for the duration of the six year professional veterinary medicine degree.
However, it is important to note that the opportunity goes beyond a typical scholarship to study abroad, because it directly contributes to the long-term capacity development goals of Unisa.
Why Unisa is supporting students to study veterinary medicine in Namibia
South Africa has limited capacity to train veterinarians, while demand for veterinary expertise spans animal health, agriculture, research, food security and more.
By partnering with UNAM to provide this scholarship, Unisa is able to develop its own future veterinary science needs while supporting the personal career ambitions of 10 South African students.
It is this dual benefit that makes the opportunity so valuable to prospective students, as it enables them to undertake a fully funded degree while also making a direct contribution to South Africa’s veterinary education and research needs.
The selected students will spend six years studying the BVM at UNAM before returning to South Africa to contribute their skills and expertise to the local sector.
Therefore, the opportunity should be considered from both a student-centred perspective (fully funded degree) and from a career-focused angle (direct contribution to South Africa’s veterinary science landscape).
Only 10 students will be selected to participate in the scholarship
One of the most important considerations for prospective applicants is understanding the selection process.
According to the supplied information, Unisa will select only 10 South African students to participate in the scholarship.
Consequently, simply meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.
The information supplied states that the following factors will be considered:
• Academic merit
• Interview performance
• UNAM’s admission requirements
• The applicant’s potential contribution to the future Unisa School of Veterinary Science
These considerations suggest that candidates should view the opportunity as a competitive professional development pathway, rather than as a standard bursary application.
What the scholarship covers for students
The supplied information confirms that the scholarship is fully funded.
Registration, tuition fees, accommodation, travel and living expenses will all be covered for the duration of the six year BVM programme.
This is an extremely valuable benefit for any student considering a professional degree, because it indicates that financial support will be provided throughout the programme.
Students should note, however, that the information supplied does not specify whether there are limits on the funding for travel or living expenses.
Where will the students study?
According to the supplied information, students who are selected to participate in the opportunity will study the six year BVM at UNAM’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Windhoek, Namibia.
Therefore, students who accept the scholarship will need to spend six years studying in Namibia.
This represents a significant opportunity cost for any applicant considering the scholarship, because they will spend a large portion of their working life away from South Africa.
The supplied information states that travel and living expenses will be covered, but it is important for prospective applicants to carefully review the selection criteria and official application guidelines before submitting their application.
Will the veterinary qualification be recognised in South Africa?
The supplied programme information indicates that the BVM qualification will be accredited by the Namibian Veterinary Council.
Furthermore, the information states that under the existing reciprocity agreement, BVM graduates will be eligible for registration with South Africa’s Veterinary Council without having to sit additional examinations.
This is one of the most important considerations for any applicant, because it confirms that the Namibia-based veterinary programme provides direct articulation into South Africa’s veterinary sector.
The students will therefore be able to return to South Africa at the end of the BVM and begin their careers as registered veterinarians.
Who can apply for the scholarship?
The opportunity is open to South African citizens who meet the prescribed admission requirements.
According to the supplied information, the following categories of applicants may be considered:
Grade 12 applicants
Learners who have completed, or who are completing, the National Senior Certificate (NSC) may be considered, provided that they meet the required admission qualifications.
According to the information supplied, Grade 12 applicants must not be currently studying or training at a tertiary institution.
This is an important consideration for any prospective applicants who are still at school.
Current and former Unisa students
The opportunity is open to current Unisa students, as well as graduates and alumni who wish to take up the scholarship.
This is a valuable consideration for many applicants, because it indicates that the opportunity is not restricted to recent Grade 12 graduates, but is open to anyone who wishes to study veterinary medicine.
Applicants with science qualifications
According to the supplied information, there are alternative admission pathways for individuals with science qualifications.
The information suggests, however, that applicants must still meet the required academic standards.
Similarly, the supplied information indicates that a Unisa Diploma in Animal Health is also an alternative admission pathway.
Who will be selected to participate in the opportunity?
According to the supplied information, the following factors will influence the selection of candidates:
Academic merit
In addition to the applicant’s NSC examination results, the information indicates that additional consideration will be given to the candidate’s academic performance at tertiary level.
Interview performance
The supplied information confirms that applicants will be interviewed as part of the selection process.
UNAM’s admission requirements
The supplied information indicates that successful applicants must satisfy UNAM’s general admission requirements.
The applicant’s potential contribution to the future Unisa School of Veterinary Science
According to the information, Unisa will consider the extent to which the applicant will contribute to the development of a future veterinary school at Unisa when considering applications.
The information supplied confirms that the opportunity is not restricted to recent Grade 12 graduates, but is open to anyone who wishes to study veterinary medicine.
Prospective applicants should ensure that their motivation letter reflects their interest in a career in veterinary medicine, as well as their academic achievements.
They should also carefully consider why they want to study veterinary medicine and how they intend to contribute to the future of veterinary science in South Africa.
Why the opportunity matters
At first glance, the opportunity appears to offer an exceptionally valuable benefit to any South African student.
As previously stated, the student will be fully funded to complete a six year veterinary medicine programme.
However, the importance of the scholarship extends beyond the financial benefits, because it directly supports South Africa’s long-term needs in the veterinary sector.
Unisa’s announcement suggests that the 10 students selected to participate in the opportunity will contribute directly to the long-term development needs of Unisa’s future veterinary school.
Consequently, anyone considering the opportunity should view it as a career development pathway that enables them to play a direct role in South Africa’s future veterinary science landscape.
A six year commitment
Prospective applicants should note that the opportunity requires a long-term commitment.
The supplied information indicates that the BVM represents a six year professional degree.
Therefore, the application should be viewed as an investment in one’s future career, rather than a general bursary opportunity.
Applicants should ensure that they are committed to a career in veterinary medicine before applying for the opportunity.
A fully funded place at a foreign university does not eliminate the need to consider the long-term career implications of a six year degree.
The supplied information confirms that the opportunity is open to a range of applicants, including Grade 12 learners who still have several years of tertiary study ahead of them.
The opportunity should consequently be considered from a long-term career planning perspective, as it will require a significant time investment from any applicant.
What must applicants submit?
According to the supplied information, applicants must submit a complete application that includes:
- A motivation letter
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- A certified copy of one’s identity document
- The required academic records
These documents must be combined into one PDF file and emailed to the address specified in the official opportunity announcement.
Who can assist you with your application?
Applicants who have questions about the opportunity should contact Dr TN Ndobeni at Unisa’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences.
Email: endobetn@unisa.ac.za
Phone: 011 670 9052
This contact details are specified in the opportunity announcement, which should always be the primary source of information for any applicant.
It is not advisable to rely on informal information obtained from social media, as such information may be misleading or incorrect.
Applications close on 15 August 2026 and should be emailed to daahapplications@unisa.ac.za.
What does the opportunity say, and what does it not say?
As previously stated, it is essential to distinguish between the official information supplied about the opportunity and the assumptions that may be made about the opportunity.
Explicitly stated
The opportunity is presented as a partnership between Unisa and UNAM.
There are only 10 places available for South African citizens.
Students who accept the opportunity will need to study a six year degree in veterinary medicine at UNAM’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Windhoek, Namibia.
The opportunity covers registration, tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses for the duration of the degree.
South African citizens who meet the prescribed admission requirements may apply for the opportunity.
Several alternative admission pathways are identified, including those for Grade 12 learners, Unisa students and science graduates.
The supplied information indicates that the opportunity will consider the applicant’s academic merit, as well as their interview performance, when selecting candidates.
The opportunity requires that the application be submitted as a single PDF file.
A closing date of 15 August 2026 has been specified for the opportunity.
The completed application must be emailed to daahapplications@unisa.ac.za.
Not explicitly stated
The supplied opportunity announcement does not mention the following points:
There is no guarantee of employment upon graduation.
There is no guarantee of a future position at Unisa’s new veterinary school.
The announcement does not specify a monthly allowance for living expenses.
The opportunity announcement does not confirm that Unisa will offer employment to any of the 10 selected students upon graduation.
The announcement does not indicate that all applicants who meet the minimum admission requirements will be selected.
The announcement does not confirm that students who are selected to participate in the opportunity will be able to change their qualification.
These points are all significant considerations for any applicant, because they illustrate why the opportunity should not be treated as a guaranteed career pathway.
A fully funded professional qualification does not eliminate the need for a realistic appraisal of one’s future career prospects.
What are the most frequently asked questions (FAQs)?
How many students will benefit from the opportunity?
According to the opportunity announcement, Unisa will select 10 South Africans to participate in the scholarship.
Is the veterinary programme fully funded?
The supplied opportunity announcement describes the scholarship as fully funded.
According to the supplied information, the scholarship covers registration, tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses for the six year BVM.
How long will the degree last?
The six year BVM will commence in 2027, according to the supplied information.
Can Grade 12 students apply?
Yes, Grade 12 students who have completed, or who are completing, the NSC may apply, provided that they meet the required admission requirements.
Can Unisa graduates apply?
Yes, Unisa graduates and current students may apply, according to the supplied opportunity announcement.
Can science graduates apply?
The supplied opportunity announcement indicates that there are alternative admission pathways for science graduates.
Can Animal Health graduates apply?
According to the supplied opportunity announcement, holders of a Unisa Diploma in Animal Health may apply.
Will the qualification enable me to practice in South Africa?
The supplied opportunity announcement confirms that the qualification will be accredited by Namibia’s Veterinary Council, and that graduates will be able to register with South Africa’s Veterinary Council under the existing reciprocity agreement.
Where will I study?
The announcement confirms that students who are selected to participate in the opportunity will study the six year BVM at UNAM’s School of Veterinary Medicine in Windhoek, Namibia.
When will applications close?
The opportunity announcement specifies that applications will close on 15 August 2026.
How must I submit the application?
The supplied opportunity announcement confirms that the application must be submitted as a single PDF file and emailed to daahapplications@unisa.ac.za.
Does the opportunity guarantee me a job at Unisa?
The opportunity announcement does not state that the scholarship guarantees employment at Unisa.
Practical tips for completing the application process
It is essential to treat the application process as a competitive professional development opportunity, rather than a general bursary application.
Applicants should remember that only 10 students will be selected to participate in the opportunity, which means that the process will be highly competitive.
As previously stated, it is essential to highlight one’s interest in a career in veterinary science.
The motivation letter included with the application is an excellent opportunity to achieve this, which means that the letter should reflect a personal and professional understanding of the opportunity.
Prospective applicants should therefore ensure that their motivation letter discusses their academic journey and future career aspirations.
It is vital that the CV, certified identity document and academic records are included with the application, as the opportunity announcement specifies these documents as mandatory components of the application.
Finally, it is essential to remember that the application must be submitted as a single PDF file a week or more before the 15 August 2026 deadline.
It is always advisable to complete applications well in advance of any closing date.
Anyone who waits until the last possible moment runs the risk of missing out on an exceptional opportunity because of a technical error.
The article highlights the following key opportunity-related details
Programme
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM)
Institutional partnership
University of South Africa (Unisa) and University of Namibia (UNAM)
Number of opportunities
10 South African students
Study location
UNAM School of Veterinary Medicine, Windhoek
Duration
Six year degree
Funding
Registration, tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses, according to the supplied opportunity announcement
Application deadline
15 August 2026
Application format
One PDF file
Application email address
General enquiries
Dr TN Ndobeni, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
Email: endobetn@unisa.ac.za
Phone: 011 670 9052
The article is based on the opportunity announcement supplied by Unisa. Programme details that have been explicitly stated have been distinguished from points that do not have a specified mention in the announcement. No salary, benefits or employment-related guarantees have been extrapolated from the opportunity announcement.
