Apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary 2026 before the closing date stipulated below. Download the bursary application form, complete and submit via email.
The City of Cape Town is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2026 academic year.
Bursaries will be awarded to students who reside in Cape Town (Western Cape), for studies within these scarce skills fields (at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Honours, Masters or Doctorate level):
- Accounting (CA and Cost Management)
- Artisan Training
- Auditing (for registration purposes)
- Automation and Instrumentation (Specialised with Mechatronics qualification)
- Change Management
- Construction Management
- Contract Management (Design and Implementation)
- Data Science / Analytics (Statistics, Computer Science)
- Economics
- Engineering (various fields, including but not limited to Mechatronics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering)
- Environmental Management and Health (Specialists, including Air Pollution and Water Quality)
- Fleet Management (Fleet Systems)
- Forensics
- Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- Graphic Design
- Heritage
- Horticulture / Landscaping (Open Spaces design)
- Industrial / Organisational Psychology
- Information Systems and Technology
- Insurance: COID Finance, Claims and Risk Management and Underwriting
- Landfill Management
- Legal (various fields)
- Library Sciences
- Medical Audit (Assessor – Fire Services)
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Health and Safety / Therapy / Medicine
- Payroll Accounting and Management Accounting
- Project Management (General and specialisation)
- Pharmacy
- Public / Primary Health Care
- Property Valuations
- Project Management
- Psychology (Industrial / Organisational Psychology)
- Renewable Energy
- Science
- Supply Chain Management
- Technical Engineering
- Transport Network Management
- Water Care / Technology / Environmental Engineering and Science / Chemistry / Water
- Resource Management
- Urban Design, Landscape, Planning, Surveying and Architecture
Table of Contents
About the Bursary Programme
The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: registration fees, examinations and tuition fees.
After graduation, students will complete a year-for-a-year service commitment at the City, which will allow students to gain hands-on work experience.
Eligibility Criteria for City of Cape Town Bursary 2026
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside in Cape Town, in the Western Cape province
- You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average result of 65% in Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards a qualification within one of the scarce skills areas listed above (part-time studies may be considered if the qualifications is not offered full time, subject to a written confirmation from the academic institution)
- You must be studying or registered to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa (University, University of Technology or TVET College)
- You must NOT be in receipt of any other bursary awards or financial assistance (including NSFAS)
How to Apply for this Bursary
Download and complete the City of Cape Town Bursary Application Form 2026
Alternatively, you may collect a copy of the application form at one of the City libraries or Walk-in Centres listed below.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy – not older than 3 months)
- Matric mid-year results, if currently in Matric
- Matric certificate, if completed Matric
- Proof of registration or provisional acceptance at a tertiary institution, if not studying yet (on institutions letterhead)
- Full academic record/ transcripts, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead)
- Statement of account from tertiary institution, if registered and studying
- Awards or certificates won, if applicable
- Recommendation letter from a teacher/ mentor/ peer, if applicable
- 2 contactable references (with their contact details)
- Proof of residence
- Proof of work completed in your chosen field of study, if applicable
Applications can be submitted in either of the following ways:
– Email: external.bursaries2026@capetown.gov.za
(Insert the words “City of Cape Town Bursary 2026” in the email subject line).
– Hand delivery to any of the following Walk-in Centre:
- Bellville Municipal Office Walk-in Centre: Reed Street, Bellville, 7530
- Brackenfell Walk-in Centre: Cnr Paradys and 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 and Main Roads, Plumstead, 7140
- Strand Walk-in Centre: Ground Floor, Municipal Office/ MVR Office, Cnr Fagan and Main Roads, Strand, 7140
City of Cape Town Bursary Closing Date for 2026
The closing date for this bursary is 10 October 2025.
