The City of Cape Town invites students residing in Cape Town (Western Cape) to apply for the External Bursary Programme 2026.
Closing Date: 10 October 2025
Funding is available for Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Honours, Masters and Doctorate studies in scarce-skills fields listed below. After graduation, recipients complete a year-for-a-year service commitment with the City to gain hands-on work experience. (Sentinel News)
Fields of study (scarce skills)
Accounting (CA & Cost Management); Artisan Training; Auditing (registration); Automation & Instrumentation (Mechatronics); Change Management; Construction Management; Contract Management (Design & Implementation); Data Science/Analytics (Statistics, Computer Science); Economics; Engineering (e.g., Mechatronics, Electrical, Instrumentation, Civil, Industrial); Environmental Management & Health (Air Pollution, Water Quality); Fleet Management (Fleet Systems); Forensics; GIS; Graphic Design; Heritage; Horticulture/Landscaping (Open Spaces design); Industrial/Organisational Psychology; Information Systems & Technology; Insurance (COID Finance, Claims, Risk, Underwriting); Landfill Management; Legal; Library Sciences; Medical Audit (Assessor – Fire Services); Medicine; Nursing; Occupational Health & Safety/Therapy/Medicine; Payroll & Management Accounting; Project Management; Pharmacy; Public/Primary Health Care; Property Valuations; Psychology (I/O); Renewable Energy; Science; Supply Chain Management; Technical Engineering; Transport Network Management; Water Care/Technology/Environmental Eng & Science/Chemistry/Water Resource Management; Urban Design, Landscape, Planning, Surveying & Architecture. (Zabursaries)
What the bursary covers
- Registration fees
- Examinations
- Tuition fees
(Per 2026 bursary call.) (Zabursaries)
Eligibility requirements
- South African citizen residing in Cape Town
- Currently in Matric or completed Matric
- Minimum 65% overall average in Matric
- Studying/intending to study full-time in one of the listed scarce-skills fields (part-time considered only if not offered full-time, with written proof from the institution)
- Registered/accepted at a recognised SA University/University of Technology/TVET College
- Not receiving any other bursary/financial aid (including NSFAS)
(See official application form for full conditions.)
Required documents (submit with your form)
- Certified SA ID (≤3 months old)
- Matric mid-year results (if in Matric) or Matric certificate (if completed)
- Proof of registration or provisional acceptance (on institution letterhead) if not yet studying
- Full academic record/transcripts (if currently studying) and statement of account (if registered)
- Awards/certificates (if any)
- Recommendation letter (teacher/mentor/peer, if any)
- Two contactable references
- Proof of residence
- Portfolio/proof of work in your field (if applicable)
Application closing date
10 October 2025. Late applications will not be considered. (Sentinel News)
How to apply
Click here to apply for City of Cape Town Bursaries 2026 (download the application form):
Download Bursary Application Form 2026 (PDF)
Email submissions:
Send the completed form (with all supporting documents) to external.bursaries2026@capetown.gov.za with subject line “City of Cape Town Bursary 2026”.
Hand delivery (Walk-in Centres):
- Bellville Municipal Office Walk-in Centre: Reed Street, Bellville, 7530
- Brackenfell Walk-in Centre: Cnr Paradys & Old Paarl Roads, Brackenfell, 7560
- Cape Town Civic Centre Walk-in Centre: Civic Centre, 2nd Floor Podium (Cash office & MVR), 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 8000
- Parow Walk-in Centre: Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Parow, 7500
- Plumstead Walk-in Centre: Municipal Office/MVR, Cnr Victoria & Main Roads, Plumstead, 7140
- Strand Walk-in Centre: Ground Floor, Municipal Office/MVR, Cnr Fagan & Main Roads, Strand, 7140
Quick tips before you submit
- Combine documents neatly and check certifications/validity.
- Ensure your average meets the 65% minimum.
- Submit before 10 October 2025 to avoid disqualification. (Cape Town ETC)
Source documents and official form are hosted by the City of Cape Town.
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