Optometry Bursaries 2027

Naledi KhumaloReviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Optometry, the field of eye care and vision correction, is a well-established and growing profession in South Africa. 

Optometrists diagnose and manage various eye conditions, prescribing corrective lenses, and providing vision therapy. 

They also play a part in public health initiatives, such as screening for eye diseases and promoting eye health awareness.

Career Opportunities in Optometry 

A career in optometry offers a rewarding opportunity to help people improve their vision and overall quality of life.

Optometrists perform various tasks, including:

  1. Conducting eye exams
  2. Prescribing eyeglasses and contact lenses
  3. Treating eye diseases and disorders
  4. Managing vision therapy programs
  5. Providing low vision rehabilitation services

Optometrists can also specialize in specific areas, such as:

  1. Pediatric optometry: Focusing on the eye care of children
  2. Geriatric optometry: Concentrating on the eye health of older adults
  3. Low vision rehabilitation: Assisting individuals with vision impairments
  4. Contact lens fitting: Providing specialized contact lens prescriptions

Fields of Study

To become an optometrist in South Africa you need a four-year Bachelor of Optometry degree. It is offered at the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Free State, the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Limpopo.

The degree combines optics, anatomy, eye disease and clinical training in university clinics and hospitals.

Graduates register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and may later specialise in areas such as contact lenses, low vision or children’s vision.

Optometry Bursaries 

To get financial aid for this field of study, you can apply for these:

Students from low-income households should also apply to NSFAS, and see our medicine bursaries, nursing bursaries and health science bursaries pages.

Update note (checked September 2026): provincial health department bursaries usually advertise for 2027 between October 2026 and January 2027, and NSFAS and ISFAP had not opened 2027 applications when we checked. Company and trust schemes set their own dates, so open each linked page for the latest confirmed closing date before you apply.

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