Overview
Cost should never decide who becomes a doctor. That is why Texila American University (TAU) offers a range of medical school scholarships in Zambia including an MBChB scholarship in Zambia designed specifically for aspiring medical students.
TAU awards full, partial and discount-based scholarships to meritorious students in the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, so that talented candidates from Zambia and the wider SADC region can train as doctors and help close the country’s critical shortage of medical professionals.
Why TAU Funds Medical Scholarships
The need is real: the World Health Organisation estimates Zambia’s doctor-to-patient ratio at roughly 1:12,000, against a recommended 1:5,000. Producing more doctors is a national priority, and TAU’s scholarships are part of the answer encouraging more capable students to study medicine and enter the healthcare workforce.
Types of Medical School Scholarships in Zambia at TAU
TAU offers several categories of award so support can match each student’s circumstances:
| Scholarship Type | Award Value | Target Candidates |
|---|---|---|
| Full Scholarship Medicine | 100% Tuition Waiver | Outstanding candidates (subject to eligibility and availability). |
| Partial Scholarship | Tuition Fee Reductions | Meritorious students who need support. |
| Discount Scholarship | Fixed Fee Adjustments | Fee reductions applied against tuition for qualifying applicants. |
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MBChB / Kenneth Kaunda Scholarship
TAU also offers a flagship MBChB scholarship for one Zambian student per academic year pursuing the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, awarded for intakes commencing in March.
This is the most prestigious among TAU Zambia scholarships and is highly competitive.
Academic Excellence Scholarship
TAU’s ongoing Academic Excellence Scholarship rewards meritorious students, with the award amount conditional on the previous semester’s GPA. It is designed to recognise and sustain strong academic performance throughout the degree.
Who Can Apply for a Medical Scholarship
TAU scholarships are open to meritorious students who meet the entry requirements for the MBChB or HPFP and who demonstrate academic merit and, where relevant, community or volunteer service. SADC and international applicants are welcome to be considered alongside Zambian students.
How to Apply for an MBChB Scholarship in Zambia
Apply for admission to the MBChB or HPFP first, then indicate your interest in a scholarship. TAU’s team will confirm which awards you may qualify for and how the scholarship is applied against your tuition.
March 2027 Intake – Enquire About Scholarships
Applications for the March 2027 MBChB and HPFP intake are open. Submit your details and our team will explain the medical school scholarships in Zambia you may be eligible for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. TAU offers scholarships for MBChB students, including full, partial and discount-based awards and a flagship medical scholarship for September intakes. Specific names and amounts should be confirmed with the scholarships team.
TAU provides an Academic Excellence Scholarship (GPA-based) and a flagship MBChB scholarship, plus partial and discount-based awards, for students in the Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health.
TAU offers full, partial and discount-based scholarships subject to eligibility and availability. Contact the scholarships team to confirm current full-scholarship awards and criteria.
Meritorious students who meet MBChB or HPFP entry requirements and demonstrate academic merit (and, where relevant, community service). SADC and international applicants can be considered.
Apply for admission to the MBChB or HPFP first, then indicate your interest in a scholarship. TAU’s team will confirm which awards you may qualify for and how the scholarship is applied against your tuition.
Glossary
Zambian Medical Education Glossary & Key Terms
Navigating medical school admissions and funding options in Zambia can be complex. Below are the standard definitions of key terms used across Texila American University’s health programmes and scholarship frameworks.
What is an MBChB degree?
MBChB stands for Medicinae Baccalaureus, Chirurgiae Baccalaureus, which translates to Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. It is the core undergraduate medical degree recognized by the Health Professions Council of Zambia (HPCZ) required to practice as a medical doctor.
What is the HPFP (Health Professions Foundation Programme)?
The HPFP is a foundational pathway program designed for students who want to pursue medicine but require additional preparation in core sciences (like Biology, Chemistry, and Physics) to meet the strict entry requirements for the MBChB degree.
What is the SADC Region?
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 16 African nations, including Zambia. Students from SADC member states often qualify for specific regional tuition frameworks and scholarship brackets at TAU.
What defines a Meritorious Student for medical scholarships?
A meritorious student is an applicant who demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, typically indicated by top-tier scores in their school-leaving certificates (such as the Joint Examination for the School Certificate) or maintaining a high Grade Point Average (GPA) in university-level pre-med courses.
What is a Tuition Waiver?
A tuition waiver is a form of financial aid where a university waives the obligation to pay all or a portion of the tuition fees. A 100% tuition waiver means the student pays zero tuition costs for that academic cycle, though separate administrative or laboratory fees may apply.
What is the Doctor-to-Patient Ratio?
The doctor-to-patient ratio is a critical public health metric measuring the number of practicing physicians relative to the total population. The World Health Organization (WHO) targets a baseline ratio to ensure healthcare accessibility, a metric TAU scholarships actively work to improve in Zambia.