The City of Cape Town is calling on students to apply for its 2027 Bursary Programme. This is a significant opportunity for South African students studying in scarce skills fields to have their tuition, registration, and examination fees covered.

Fields Covered

The bursary supports students in Accounting, Auditing, Internal Auditing, Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Science, Contract Management, Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Environmental Management, Water Sciences, Ecology, Geographic Information Systems, Geohydrology, Information Technology, Information Systems, Information Management, Law, Library Sciences, Logistics Management, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Atmospheric Science, Regional Planning, Urban Planning, Town Planning, Project Management, Industrial Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Water and Waste Management, Water Quality, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture, Surveying, and Architecture.

What’s Covered

Successful applicants will have their registration fees, examination fees, and tuition fees paid for the duration of their studies.

Service Obligation

After graduating, bursary recipients will complete a year-for-a-year service commitment with the City, gaining valuable hands-on work experience in their field.

Who Can Apply

• South African citizens only
• Must reside in Cape Town, Western Cape
• Currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• Minimum 65% overall average in Matric
• Studying full-time in one of the listed scarce skills fields (part-time considered only where full-time isn’t offered, with written confirmation from the institution)
• Registered or intending to register at an accredited South African tertiary institution
• Must not be receiving any other bursary or financial assistance, including NSFAS

Required Supporting Documents

• Registration letter or provisional acceptance letter from your tertiary institution
• Statement of account (if registered)
• Certified copy of your matric certificate (if you’ve matriculated)
• Copy of Grade 12 final/mid-year results (65% average or above)
• Recommendations from teachers, mentors, or peers
• Awards and certificates you have won
• Proof of any work already done in your chosen field of study

How to Apply

The form must be filled in by hand (print clearly) and submitted, along with all supporting documents, to one of the following Walk-in Centres: Bellville, Brackenfell, Cape Town Civic Centre, Parow, Plumstead, or Strand. Applications will not be acknowledged in writing, and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Closing Date

Applications close on 17 August 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

DOWNLOAD APPLICATION FORM

Note: the official 2027 form itself only lists the Walk-in Centres above for submission — no email address is given on it. Some third-party bursary sites reference an email option (e.g., external.bursaries2026@capetown.gov.za for the prior year’s round), but since that’s unconfirmed for 2027, I’ve left it out rather than risk giving applicants a wrong address.