PGCE Bursaries South Africa 2025-2026
Teachers are the “building bricks” of the workforce. Without teachers, students would not gain the knowledge and experience needed to enter tertiary institutions and the job market. It takes a special type of person to be a teacher—someone truly passionate about helping the youth shape their futures. Despite being a stressful profession, teaching is undoubtedly rewarding.
Teachers are needed at various stages of our lives—from preschool to primary school, high school, and university or college. Whether you are passionate about Mathematics, Science, Business, Technology, Languages, or Drama, educators are required in a range of subjects.
If your calling is to help shape the minds of learners and give them the best chance of a successful career, these education bursary programmes are perfect for you.
Obtaining a Teaching Qualification
Teaching Degree: This includes a 4-year bachelor’s degree, a 2-year postgraduate honours, a master’s degree, or a doctoral degree. Degree studies are generally undertaken at a university and require a bachelor’s pass on the Matric NSC certificate. A Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree can be split into Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase, and Senior Phase.
Teaching Diploma: Generally undertaken at a technical or vocational school and takes around 18 months to complete. This qualification usually enables you to specialize in a specific field of teaching.
Choosing the Right Education Phase
Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3): Involves hands-on practical teaching, ideal for those who enjoy teaching young kids and toddlers basic fundamental learning techniques, ethics, and manners.
Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6): Focuses on academic and technical skills with some practical training. Students select subjects such as Mathematics, English, Science, and History.
Senior and Further Education and Training Phase (Grade 7 to Grade 12): The most academic and technical phase, requiring teachers to specialize in their chosen subject and interpret raw knowledge into practical teaching.
Teacher Salaries
- Primary School Teacher: Average annual salary is around R167,000 (ranging between R105,000 and R240,000).
- High School Teacher: Average annual salary is around R190,000 (ranging between R135,000 and R290,000).
Qualifying for a Teaching Bursary
Bursaries are usually awarded based on academic potential and financial need. Other criteria include:
- South African citizenship (or permanent residency for certain bursaries)
- Passion for teaching and working with children
- Final year of school (Matric) or completed Matric
- Applied or accepted to study at a recognized tertiary institute in South Africa
- Good academic record
- Preference is usually given to learners from previously disadvantaged backgrounds
Education & Teaching Bursaries for 2024
Here is a list of available bursaries for those studying or wishing to study towards a Teaching or Educator’s qualification in South Africa:
- Access Trust Bursary
- ADvTECH Student Teacher Bursary
- ASSET (Association for Educational Transformation) Bursary South Africa
- Barloworld Education Trust Bursary
- Black Mountain Study Trust Bursary
- Brain-Jar Skills Development Bursary
- Canon Collins RMTF Scholarship
- Canon Collins Sol Plaatje Scholarship
- Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary
- Canon Collins Tom Queba Scholarship
- Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
- Cida Empowerment Trust Bursary
- Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) Bursary
- Department of Correctional Services Bursary
- Donald White/Mandla A. Ndwanya Memorial Fund Bursary
- Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) Bursary
- Epilepsy South Africa Educational Trust Bursary
- Exxaro Bursary
- Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme
- Gallagher Foundation Scholarship
- Globeleq Scholarship
- IDB Education Trust Bursary Loan
- Jakes Gerwel Fellowship Bursary
- JB Marks Education Trust Fund Bursary
- Joe Morolong Assmang Bursary
- Kader Asmal Fellowship Programme
- MANCOSA Bursary
- Mick Leary Educational Trust Bursary
- Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary
- N3TC Bursary
- NEET (National Economic Education Trust) Bursary
- Ninety One Bursary
- North West Provincial Government Bursaries
- Northern Cape Provincial Government Bursary
- NUMSA Bursary
- Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships (QECS)
- Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) Bursary
- SAMSTIP (Southern African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Programme) Bursary
- SACEE Norah Taylor Bursary
- Sakhikamva Foundation Bursary
- Schauenburg Education Trust Bursary
- SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt) Bursary
- South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Bursary
- Thebe Foundation Dr. EJ Mabuza Scholarship
- UWC Faculty of Education Bursary
These bursaries provide the financial support needed to pursue a career in education and make a significant impact on future generations.
