The Cape Town government offers study funding for local students who want to start university in 2026. This bursary program is open to anyone who lives in Cape Town and the Western Cape area. Students can now send in their applications for financial support. The city wants to help young people get a good education & improve their future. If you live in Cape Town and need money for your studies you should apply for this program.
You can get money to study for any degree from Bachelor’s to PhD. This applies to specific fields where we need more skilled workers. After you finish your studies you’ll work for the City for the same number of years that we funded you. This gives you real work experience and helps you start your career. The fields we support are listed below.
Fields of study
- 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/Organizational 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.
Advantages You Will Get
- Registration fees
- Examinations
- Tuition fees
(Per 2026 bursary call.)
Who All Can Apply ? – Eligibility
- You should be a South African citizen residing in Cape Town
- You should currently be pursuing Matric or completed Matric
- You should have had minimum 65% overall average in Matric
- You should have a 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)
- You should be registered/accepted at a recognised SA University/University of Technology/TVET College
- You should not be receiving any other bursary/financial aid (including NSFAS)
(See official application form for full conditions.)
Mandatory Documents For The Application
Given below is the list of the documents that you should have before applying for the bursary.
- 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)
Important Dates To Be noted
10 October 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
You can apply for the City of Cape Town External Bursary Program 2026 by visiting the official website. You can also visit the website by clicking on the link given below.