City of Cape Town Bursaries 2027: Scarce Skills Funding for Students

The City of Cape Town is offering bursaries for the 2027 academic year to South African students residing in Cape Town. This programme aims to fund studies in fields identified as scarce and critical skills needed by the municipality. It is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Application Closing Date: 17 August 2026
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Programme Duration: Not specified
Stipend: Not specified (covers registration, examination, and tuition fees)
Minimum Qualification: 65% Matric average
Opportunity Type: Bursary

About the City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027

The City of Cape Town Bursary Programme provides financial support for students pursuing qualifications in areas where there is a shortage of skilled professionals. This initiative is crucial for the municipality to ensure it has the necessary expertise to deliver essential services, manage infrastructure, and drive economic and environmental development. The bursary supports a wide range of fields, from engineering and IT to accounting and environmental sciences.

This bursary is designed to address specific labour market needs within the City of Cape Town. By investing in students studying these scarce skills, the municipality aims to build a capable workforce for the future. The programme supports full-time studies at recognised South African tertiary institutions.

About the City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is the local government responsible for administering the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality. It is the largest municipality in South Africa by population and provides a wide range of services to its residents, including water, sanitation, electricity, waste management, public transport, and economic development initiatives. The City plays a vital role in the economic and social well-being of the Western Cape province.

Fields of Study Covered

The City of Cape Town bursary will support studies in the following scarce-skills fields:

• 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-related studies
• Surveying
• Architecture

Qualifications outside these areas may not be considered unless specifically approved by the City.

What the Bursary Covers

The City of Cape Town bursary will cover the following expenses:

• Registration fees
• Examination fees
• Tuition fees

The bursary does not explicitly state coverage for accommodation, meals, transport, textbooks, laptops, study equipment, or personal allowances. Applicants should not assume these additional costs will be funded.

Eligibility Requirements

To be considered for the City of Cape Town Bursary Programme, applicants must meet all the following criteria:

• Be South African citizens.
• Reside in Cape Town, Western Cape.
• Be currently completing Matric or have already completed Matric.
• Have achieved a minimum overall Matric average of 65%.
• Be studying or planning to study towards one of the listed scarce-skills qualifications.
• Intend to study full-time, with limited exceptions for part-time programmes if not offered full-time.
• Be registered or accepted at a recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution.
• Not be receiving another bursary or financial assistance for the same studies.
• Not be funded by NSFAS.

Matric Academic Requirement

Applicants must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% in Matric. Current Matric learners should submit their latest available mid-year results. Those who have already completed Matric must submit their final Matric certificate.

Study Institution Requirements

Applicants must study, or intend to study, at a recognised and accredited institution in South Africa. This includes universities, universities of technology, and TVET colleges. Both the institution and the chosen qualification must be appropriately accredited.

Full-Time and Part-Time Study

The bursary is primarily intended for full-time students. Part-time studies may be considered only if the qualification is not offered on a full-time basis. In such cases, applicants must provide written confirmation from the academic institution.

Other Bursaries and Financial Assistance

Applicants must not be receiving any other bursary award, NSFAS funding, or other financial assistance for the same studies. Providing truthful information regarding existing funding is essential.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the completed application form along with clear copies of the required documents. These include:

• Certified copy of the applicant’s identity document (not older than three months).
• Matric mid-year results, if currently completing Matric.
• Matric certificate, if Matric has already been completed.
• Full academic record or transcript, if currently studying.
• Proof of registration or provisional acceptance, if not yet studying.
• Tertiary institution statement of account, if currently registered.
• Proof of residence.
• Contact details for two references.

Additional documents that may be submitted include awards, certificates, recommendation letters, or proof of work completed in the chosen field.

Academic Record Requirements

Current tertiary students must submit a complete academic record or transcript printed on the institution’s official letterhead. This record should include the student’s name, student number, qualification, subjects completed, marks obtained, current academic status, and the name of the institution.

Proof of Registration or Acceptance

Applicants who have not yet started studying must provide proof of provisional acceptance or admission from the tertiary institution. Those already studying should submit proof of registration, a full academic record, and a statement of account. All institutional documents should be on official letterhead.

Proof of Residence

Applicants must provide proof that they reside within Cape Town. Acceptable proof may vary, but applicants should submit a current and clear document showing their residential address.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed based on eligibility requirements, academic performance, scarce-skills alignment, residency, funding availability, application completeness, and supporting documentation. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by no later than 15 January 2027. Applicants who do not hear back by this date should consider their applications unsuccessful.

Service Commitment After Graduation

Bursary recipients will be required to complete a year-for-a-year service commitment with the City of Cape Town after graduating. This commitment period will correspond with the number of years the student received bursary funding. This provides graduates with valuable practical workplace experience.

How to Apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027

Applicants must download and complete the official City of Cape Town bursary application form.
Click here to apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027

Application forms may also be collected from participating City libraries or Walk-in Centres. Completed applications can be hand-delivered to one of the following centres:

Bellville Municipal Office Walk-in Centre: Reed Street, Bellville 7530
Brackenfell Walk-in Centre: Corner of Paradys Road and Old Paarl Road, Brackenfell 7560
Cape Town Civic Centre Walk-in Centre: Civic Centre Second Floor Podium, Cash Office and Motor Vehicle Registration, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town 8000
Parow Walk-in Centre: Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Parow 7500
Plumstead Walk-in Centre: Municipal Office and Motor Vehicle Registration Office, Corner of Victoria Road and Main Road, Plumstead 7140
Strand Walk-in Centre: Ground Floor Municipal Office and Motor Vehicle Registration Office, Corner of Fagan Road and Main Road, Strand 7140

Applicants should ensure that the application form and all supporting documents are submitted together.

Bursary Application Closing Date

Applications close on 17 August 2026. Late or incomplete applications may not be considered. Applicants are advised to submit their applications early to allow sufficient time to gather all necessary documents and information.

Important Application Checklist

Before submitting your application, please confirm that:

• You are a South African citizen.
• You reside in Cape Town.
• You achieved at least a 65% overall Matric average.
• Your chosen qualification is on the scarce-skills list.
• Your institution is recognised and accredited.
• You are not receiving NSFAS or another bursary.
• Your identity document was certified within the past three months.
• Your academic results are attached.
• Your proof of registration or acceptance is attached.
• Your proof of residence is attached.
• Two contactable references are provided.
• The application form is fully completed and signed.
• Your application is submitted by 17 August 2026.

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