Bursaries & Learnerships
Every Month. All Year.
The most comprehensive guide to bursaries closing each month across South Africa β from January to December β plus learnerships to kick-start your career.
π What Is a Bursary?
A bursary is financial aid awarded to students to cover the costs of higher education. Unlike student loans, bursaries do not need to be repaid β making them an invaluable opportunity for South African students.
- Covers tuition, accommodation & books
- Available for undergrad, honours & postgrad
- Government, corporate & NGO funded
- Some include vacation work & mentorship
- Awarded based on merit and/or financial need
π What Is a Learnership?
A learnership is a structured work-based learning programme that combines theoretical training with practical workplace experience. They are registered under the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and lead to a nationally recognised qualification.
- Earn a stipend while you learn
- Gain real work experience
- NQF-accredited qualifications
- Aimed at unemployed youth (18β35)
- Hosted by SETA-registered companies
- ExploreAI Academy Bursary9 Jan
- Genesis Educational Foundation Trust (GEFT)9 Jan
- SAILI High School Bursary9 Jan
- eThekwini Municipality Bursary13 Jan
- Schneider Electric Bursary15 Jan
- Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary16 Jan
- Coca-Cola Beverages SA (CCBSA) Bursary27 Jan
- Department of Transport Bursary3 Feb
- IUCMA (Water Resource Management)3 Feb
- ATNS Bursary (Aviation)28 Feb
- DSAC Bursary (Sports, Arts & Culture)28 Feb
- FASSET Outstanding Study Debt Grant28 Feb
- GCRA Bursary (Gauteng Residents)28 Feb
- UFS Honours, Masters & Doctoral Bursaries28 Feb
- Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship1 Mar
- BEKA Schreder Bursary (Engineering)Mid Mar
- KZN Dept. Bursary (Agriculture & Health)31 Mar
- Implats Bursary (Mining & Metallurgy)31 Mar
- NWU Honours Bursary31 Mar
- NWU Masters & PhD Bursaries31 Mar
- International Study Abroad Scholarship31 Mar
- Fulbright Foreign Student ProgrammeEarly Apr
- Allan Gray Orbis Foundation BursaryMid Apr
- NSFAS Bursary ApplicationsMid Apr
- Transnet Foundation BursaryApr
- Public Investment Corporation BursaryApr
- Afrisam Bursary (Construction)30 Apr
- LRS Foundation Bursary30 Apr
- MTN Bursary ProgrammeEarly May
- Nedbank Bursary SchemeMid May
- NUMSA Bursary (Engineering)May
- Water Research Commission BursaryMay
- Rhodes University Postgrad Bursaries31 May
- Anglo American Chairmanβs Fund31 May
- SAPOA Bursary (Property Studies)31 May
- Canon Collins Trust ScholarshipsEarly Jun
- South African Breweries BursaryJun
- IDC Bursary (Industrial Development)Jun
- NRF Free-Standing BursariesMid Jun
- ABSA Bursary ProgrammeJun
- Department of Energy Bursary30 Jun
- Mintek Bursary (Mining Technology)30 Jun
- Erika Theron Trust ScholarshipEarly Jul
- Murray & Roberts Bursary (Engineering)Jul
- FNB Bursary Scheme (Finance)Jul
- SAICA Bursary (Chartered Accounting)Mid Jul
- Sappi Bursary (Paper & Forestry)Jul
- Harmony Gold Bursary31 Jul
- Truworths Bursary (Retail & Commerce)31 Jul
- Sasol Foundation Bursary21 Aug
- Afrox Bursary (Science & Engineering)Aug
- Standard Bank BursaryAug
- Reatile Foundation Trust BursaryAug
- AMSOL Marine Engineering BursaryMid Aug
- Engen Petroleum Bursary31 Aug
- Margaret McNamara Education Grant31 Aug
- City of Cape Town Bursary8 Sep
- National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF)8 Sep
- Poliomyelitis Research Foundation15 Sep
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary15 Sep
- KnowBe4 Cybersecurity Scholarship15 Sep
- SAPOA Bursary (Property Industry)15 Sep
- Western Cape Dept of Health Bursary29 Sep
- Mulilo Renewable Energy Bursary7 Oct
- Canyon Coal Khanye Colliery Bursary7 Oct
- JSE Empowerment Fund (JEF) Bursary7 Oct
- National Disaster Management Centre10 Oct
- Sibanye-Stillwater Bursaries10 Oct
- Old Mutual Bursary (Finance)31 Oct
- Santam Bursary (Insurance)31 Oct
- Wiphold Bursary Fund (Notification)30 Nov
- Massmart Supplier Development BursaryNov
- Volkswagen SA BursaryNov
- SARS Bursary (Revenue Services)Mid Nov
- Pikitup Bursary (Environmental)Nov
- Telkom Bursary (ICT & Technology)30 Nov
- Aspen Pharmacare Bursary30 Nov
- ADSA Bursary (Dietetics & Nutrition)2 Dec
- Eskom Bursary (Engineering, IT, Business)12 Dec
- FEMEF Mike Ilsley Memorial Scholarship15 Dec
- SAIBPP Bursary Fund (Property)15 Dec
- Mukuru Bursary (Various Fields)19 Dec
- PPS Foundation Bursary (Professional)19 Dec
- Rosebank College Bursaries31 Dec
Diverse Bursary Categories
South Africa offers bursaries across virtually every field β find yours below.
Engineering
Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical. Afrox, Eskom, Sasol, Transnet and more.
Health Sciences
Nursing, Pharmacy, Medicine, Physiotherapy. Government and private healthcare funders.
Finance & Accounting
CA(SA), CIMA, BCom Accounting. FASSET, SAICA, FNB, ABSA bursaries.
IT & Computer Science
Software Engineering, AI, Data Science. Entersekt, MTN, Telkom bursaries.
Law & Legal Studies
LLB, LLM programmes. Clyde & Co, SAIBPP and legal entity bursaries.
Agriculture & Environment
Agri-science, Forestry, Environmental Mgmt. Sappi, Digby Wells and more.
Built Environment
Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Town Planning. CETA, Master Builders bursaries.
Arts, Culture & Media
Film, Music, Journalism, Design. NFVF, DSAC, Arena Academy bursaries.
Education & Teaching
BEd, PGCE programmes. Funza Lushaka Bursary fully covers teaching degrees.
Mining & Geology
Metallurgy, Mining Engineering. Sibanye-Stillwater, Implats, Harmony Gold.
Learnerships 2026β2027
Gain nationally recognised qualifications while earning a monthly stipend. Learnerships combine classroom learning with real on-the-job experience β the fastest route from unemployed to employed.
A learnership is registered with a SETA (Sector Education and Training Authority) and leads to an NQF-accredited qualification. Candidates receive a monthly stipend from the host company while completing their training. Most learnerships last between 12 and 24 months.
Nursing Learnerships
2β4 year programme combining theory with 2,000+ clinical hours. Pathways include Midwifery, General Nursing, Community Care, Theatre & Psychiatric Nursing.
IT & Systems Support Learnerships
Systems administration, technical support, software development and network infrastructure. Hosted by major telecoms and IT companies.
Finance & Accounting Learnerships
Bookkeeping, financial management, insurance, and banking operations. Recognised across SAβs financial services industry.
Retail Operations Learnership
Customer service, store management, merchandising and supply chain fundamentals. Open to Grade 12 graduates with no prior experience.
Construction & Built Environment
Plumbing, electrical wiring, bricklaying, carpentry and project management. Hosted by CETA-registered contractors across South Africa.
Government & Public Sector Learnerships
Municipal management, public finance, community development and government administration. Offered by national and provincial departments.
Transport & Logistics Learnership
Freight handling, supply chain management, passenger transport and fleet management. Growing sector with high demand for skilled workers.
Mining Learnerships
Rock drilling, mining engineering support, surface mining operations. Hosted by major mines including Sibanye-Stillwater and Implats.
Agricultural Learnerships
Crop production, livestock management, agri-processing and farm management. Available through AgriSETA across South Africaβs provinces.
Media, Advertising & Communications
Broadcasting, digital media, advertising production and content creation. MICT SETA registered with top media houses.
Early Childhood Development (ECD)
NQF Level 4 qualifications in early childhood care. Perfect for those passionate about nurturing and educating young children.
Hospitality & Tourism Learnerships
Food & beverage, front office operations, housekeeping and tour guiding. Hosted by hotels, lodges and tourism companies.
π How to Apply for a Learnership
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1
Check eligibility β Must be 18β35, unemployed (or NEET), and meet minimum educational requirements.
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2
Prepare documents β Certified ID copy, CV, matric certificate, proof of address (under 3 months), and academic records.
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3
Find your SETA β Identify the SETA that covers your industry and check their learnership listings on their website.
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4
Apply online or in person β Submit to the host company or SETA. Contact your local Labour Centre for walk-in opportunities.
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5
Attend the interview β Shortlisted candidates are invited for interviews. All submitted documents are verified.
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6
Sign your learnership agreement β A 3-party contract between you, the employer and the training provider is signed before you start.
