KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Bursaries 2027: Apply for Arts and Heritage Studies

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is offering bursaries for the 2027 academic year. This opportunity is for students pursuing specific qualifications in arts, design, language, archives, and heritage. If you are a resident of KwaZulu-Natal and meet the requirements, this bursary could fund your studies.

Application Closing Date: 30 November 2026
Location: KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Programme Duration: Full-time study
Stipend: Not specified (may cover accommodation, meals, or stipends)
Minimum Qualification: Grade 12 / Matric

About the KZN Sport, Arts and Culture Bursary

This bursary programme aims to support students in acquiring skills for the arts, culture, and heritage sectors. It focuses on qualifications that are considered scarce and critical within these fields. The Department wants to develop talent and expertise within KwaZulu-Natal.

The bursary is open to residents of KwaZulu-Natal between the ages of 18 and 35. Applicants must have completed Grade 12 or Matric. You should be currently studying or planning to study an eligible qualification at a public higher-education institution.

Preference may be given to students attending institutions within KwaZulu-Natal. However, if a specific qualification is not offered in the province, students may study elsewhere.

What the Bursary Covers

Successful applicants can expect financial support for their studies. The bursary may cover several costs associated with higher education.

The bursary can help with:

• Tuition fees
• Accommodation costs
• Meals or stipends
• Prescribed textbooks
• Other necessary learning materials

The exact value of the bursary is not specified. The final award amount will depend on the successful applicant’s needs and the Department’s funding.

Who Can Apply?

To be considered for this bursary, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Reside in KwaZulu-Natal.
• Have completed Grade 12 / Matric or have a current statement of results.
• Be studying or intend to study one of the listed qualifications.
• Be enrolled in full-time studies.
• Attend, or plan to attend, a public higher-education institution.
• Have admission, provisional acceptance, or proof of application for the relevant course.

Youth with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The advert does not mention a minimum academic percentage, a household income limit, or a requirement for applicants to be unemployed.

Eligible Qualifications

The bursary is available for students pursuing the following qualifications:

• National Diploma: Fine Arts
• National Diploma: Fashion Design
• National Diploma: Jewellery Design & Manufacture
• National Diploma: Video Technology
• National Diploma: Graphic Design
• National Diploma: Integrated Communication Design / Sound Engineering & Production
• Bachelor of Applied Arts: Screen Arts & Technology
• Postgraduate Diploma in Language Practice
• Postgraduate Diploma: Archives & Records Management
• Postgraduate Diploma / Honours Degree in Museum & Heritage Studies

For the Museum and Heritage Studies postgraduate pathway, specific areas include Collection Management, Critical Heritage, Object Analysis and Curating, and Restoration and Conservation. If your qualification is only broadly related, confirm eligibility with the Department.

Required Documents

Applicants need to prepare several documents for their application. Ensure all copies are certified.

• Completed official bursary application form.
• Certified copy of your ID.
• Certified copies of parent or guardian ID documents (if applicable).
• Death certificates (if applicable).
• Matric / Grade 12 certificate or current statement of results.
• Proof of household income and expenditure.
• Relevant payslips, pension payout, SASSA letter, or bank statement (if applicable).
• Proof of parental unemployment or affidavit (if applicable).
• Proof of registration, acceptance, or provisional acceptance.
• Proof of CAO application (if applicable).
• Proof of residence from the ward councillor.
• Certified profiling certificate (if applicable for applicants with disabilities).

Financial supporting documents should generally not be older than three months.

How to Get the Application Form

Bursary application forms can be obtained from several sources:

• Departmental offices.
• Public libraries.
• The Departmental website or published channels.
• Departmental social-media platforms.
• Higher-education institution funding offices.

Make sure you obtain the official 2027 bursary application form.

How to Apply

This application process is paper-based. Applications must be submitted by post or hand delivery. No email or online application submission method is provided.

Submit your completed application to:
The Bursary Unit
Department of Sport, Arts & Culture
171 Boshoff Street
Pietermaritzburg
3201

Applicants should confirm the receiving address with the Department before posting or travelling.

Important Application Information

Please note the following important points:

• Downloading or obtaining the form does not count as submitting an application.
• Completed applications must be posted or hand delivered.
• Apply only for the specific qualifications listed in the advert.
• Funding for bursaries is limited.
• Meeting the requirements does not guarantee that you will receive a bursary.
• Preference may be given to students studying within KwaZulu-Natal.
• Successful applicants will be required to enter into a bursary agreement.
• Youth with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If you do not receive feedback within four months after the closing date, you should consider your application unsuccessful.

Closing Date

The closing date for applications is 30 November 2026.

No specific closing time is mentioned in the advert. If you are submitting your application by post, ensure it reaches the Department well before the deadline.

SHARE THIS POST WITH OTHERS.