The South African Institution of Civil Engineering invites qualifying South African students to apply for the SAICE Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme for the second semester of 2026.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 July 2026
Study Location: Recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution
SAICE SPEBS Civil Engineering Bursary 2026
The South African Institution of Civil Engineering, commonly known as SAICE, is accepting applications for the Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme.
The bursary provides partial financial assistance to academically deserving Civil Engineering students who are experiencing financial difficulties.
Successful applicants may receive up to R7 000 per semester toward registration fees, tuition costs and prescribed textbooks.
The approved funding is paid directly to the student’s tertiary institution and is not transferred to the recipient as a cash payment.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: South African Institution of Civil Engineering
Programme: Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme
Abbreviation: SPEBS
Academic period: Second semester of 2026
Maximum bursary value: R7 000 per semester
Eligible qualifications: Civil Engineering degree or National Diploma
Closing date: 31 July 2026
Application method: Email
Application email: spebs@saice.org.za
What the SAICE Bursary Covers
The SPEBS bursary may contribute toward:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
The award provides partial funding and may not cover the student’s complete academic expenses.
The final amount awarded will depend on:
- Academic performance
- Demonstrated financial need
- The applicant’s study level
- Available bursary funds
- The cost of approved academic expenses
Maximum Bursary Amount
Successful applicants may receive up to:
R7 000 per semester
The funding is paid directly to the applicant’s university or tertiary institution.
Recipients will therefore not receive the bursary as personal spending money.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have completed Matric.
- Be studying Civil Engineering.
- Be enrolled for a Civil Engineering degree or National Diploma.
- Attend a recognised and accredited tertiary institution.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Have a strong academic record.
- Have passed all previously completed subjects.
- Meet the applicable academic progression requirement.
The programme is aimed at students who have already started their Civil Engineering qualifications.
Civil Engineering Degree Students
Degree students must have completed and passed their first-semester examinations.
Applicants should be entering:
- Second year
- Third year
- Fourth year
Students must have passed all subjects completed during their previous study periods.
Prospective first-year students who have not yet started tertiary studies do not meet the stated progression requirement.
Civil Engineering National Diploma Students
National Diploma students must have passed their first-semester or S1 examinations.
Applicants should be entering:
- S2
- S3
- S4
Students must provide a complete academic record showing that they passed all subjects completed during previous semesters.
Academic Requirements
Academic performance is an important part of the selection process.
Applicants should:
- Have passed all previous modules.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
- Provide their latest semester results.
- Submit a complete tertiary academic record.
- Demonstrate the ability to complete the qualification successfully.
Students should not submit only selected subjects when a full academic record is required.
Financial Need
The SPEBS bursary is intended for students who need financial assistance to continue their studies.
Applicants may be required to provide information about:
- Household income
- Existing bursaries or financial aid
- Outstanding university fees
- Registration costs
- Textbook requirements
- Other relevant financial circumstances
Students should provide complete and accurate information when explaining their financial need.
Can the Bursary Be Renewed?
The SAICE SPEBS bursary may be renewed each semester until the recipient completes the qualification.
However, renewal is not automatic.
Continued funding may depend on:
- Academic performance
- Passing all registered subjects
- Continued financial need
- Availability of bursary funds
- Submission of updated academic records
- Continued registration in Civil Engineering
Recipients should therefore maintain good academic results throughout their studies.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit:
- A completed SPEBS bursary application form.
- A certified copy of their South African identity document.
- A certified copy of their complete tertiary academic record.
- Their most recent semester results.
Successful applicants may also be required to provide:
- Certified proof of registration.
- Updated academic records.
- Additional financial information.
- Any other supporting documents requested by SAICE.
How to Prepare Supporting Documents
Applicants should ensure that:
- Certified copies are recent.
- Every page is readable.
- Academic records include all subjects and results.
- The latest semester results are included.
- Documents are scanned in the correct direction.
- Files are saved in PDF format where possible.
- File names clearly describe the contents.
- All compulsory sections of the application form are completed.
Applicants should request their academic records early because institutions may take time to issue official results.
How to Apply for the SAICE SPEBS Civil Engineering Bursary 2026
Applicants must download and complete the official bursary application form before submitting it by email.
Click here to download the SAICE SPEBS Civil Engineering Bursary application form
Completed applications and supporting documents must be emailed to:
Email: spebs@saice.org.za
Use the following email subject line:
SPEBS Bursary
Click here to apply for the SAICE SPEBS Civil Engineering Bursary 2026
Application Steps
Applicants should:
- Download the official SPEBS brochure and application form.
- Read the bursary conditions carefully.
- Complete all compulsory sections.
- Obtain a certified copy of their identity document.
- Obtain a certified complete academic record.
- Include the latest semester results.
- Scan the documents clearly.
- Attach all documents to one email.
- Use “SPEBS Bursary” as the subject line.
- Send the application to spebs@saice.org.za.
- Keep a copy of the email and attachments.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications for second-semester funding close on:
31 July 2026
Late applications will not be accepted.
Students should submit before the final day, especially when they still need to obtain academic records or certify supporting documents.
The first-semester funding cycle generally closes on 31 January.
What Happens After Applying?
Applications will be assessed according to:
- Academic merit
- Financial need
- Study progression
- Completeness of the application
- Availability of funding
Applicants for second-semester funding may receive feedback during September.
Successful applicants will be required to submit certified proof of registration before approved funding is paid to their institutions.
Bursary Enquiries
Applicants may contact the SAICE SPEBS Desk for assistance.
Telephone: 011 805 5947
Email: spebs@saice.org.za
Applicants should clearly state that their enquiry relates to the SPEBS Civil Engineering Bursary.
Important Application Advice
Before sending the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are already studying Civil Engineering.
- You meet the applicable degree or National Diploma progression requirement.
- You have passed all previous subjects.
- Your full academic record is attached.
- Your latest semester results are included.
- Your identity document is certified.
- The application form is complete.
- The correct email subject line is used.
- The application is submitted before 31 July 2026.
Incomplete or late submissions may not be considered.
About the SAICE Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme
The SAICE Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme was established to assist deserving Civil Engineering students who face financial barriers while completing their qualifications.
Through the programme, SAICE helps develop future civil engineers, technologists and technicians who may contribute to South Africa’s roads, bridges, water systems, sanitation infrastructure and other essential engineering projects.