The City of Cape Town invites qualifying South African students residing in Cape Town to apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 17 August 2026
Bursary Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027
The City of Cape Town is offering bursary funding to students pursuing qualifications linked to scarce and critical skills required by the municipality.
The bursary is available for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including Honours, Master’s and Doctoral qualifications.
Applicants must reside in Cape Town and must be studying, or planning to study, at a recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution.
City of Cape Town Bursary Overview
Bursary provider: City of Cape Town
Academic year: 2027
Study levels: Undergraduate, postgraduate, Honours, Master’s and Doctorate
Study mode: Full-time, with limited exceptions for part-time programmes
Minimum Matric average: 65%
Institution type: University, University of Technology or TVET College
Residency requirement: Cape Town residents
Closing date: 17 August 2026
Application method: Application form submitted by hand
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 the listed areas may not be considered unless otherwise approved by the City.
What Are Scarce Skills?
Scarce skills are fields in which there are not enough suitably qualified professionals to meet labour-market and organisational needs.
The City of Cape Town has identified the listed qualifications as areas in which it requires skilled professionals to support municipal services, infrastructure, planning, finance, technology and environmental management.
What Expenses Does the Bursary Cover?
The City of Cape Town bursary will cover:
- Registration fees
- Examination fees
- Tuition fees
The supplied information does not confirm funding for:
- Accommodation
- Meals
- Transport
- Textbooks
- Laptops
- Study equipment
- Personal allowances
Applicants should not assume that expenses not expressly listed will be covered.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all the following requirements:
- Be South African citizens.
- Reside in Cape Town in the 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.
- Be registered or accepted at a recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution.
- Not be receiving another bursary or financial assistance.
- Not be funded by NSFAS.
Failure to meet the minimum criteria may result in the application not being considered.
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.
Applicants 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.
Eligible institutions include:
- Universities
- Universities of Technology
- TVET Colleges
Applicants should ensure that both the institution and qualification are appropriately accredited.
Full-Time and Part-Time Study
The bursary is primarily intended for full-time students.
Part-time studies may be considered only where the qualification is not offered on a full-time basis.
In such cases, applicants must submit written confirmation from the academic institution stating that the programme is not available full-time.
Other Bursaries and Financial Assistance
Applicants must not be receiving:
- Another bursary award
- NSFAS funding
- Other financial assistance for the same studies
Applicants must provide truthful information regarding any existing funding.
Receiving another bursary or financial support may make the applicant ineligible for the City of Cape Town bursary.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit the completed application form together with clear copies of the required documents.
The compulsory or applicable supporting documents 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.
Applicants may also submit the following where applicable:
- Awards or certificates received.
- Recommendation letter from a teacher, mentor or peer.
- Proof of work completed in the chosen field of study.
Academic Record Requirements
Current tertiary students must submit a complete academic record or transcript printed on the institution’s official letterhead.
The record should reflect:
- Student name
- Student number
- Qualification
- Subjects completed
- Marks obtained
- Current academic status
- Name of the institution
Screenshots or unofficial summaries may not be accepted unless specifically permitted by the City.
Proof of Registration or Acceptance
Applicants who have not yet started studying must submit proof of provisional acceptance or admission from the tertiary institution.
Applicants who are already studying should submit:
- Proof of registration
- Full academic record
- Statement of account
Institutional documents should be on official letterhead.
Proof of Residence
Applicants must provide proof that they reside within Cape Town.
Acceptable proof may depend on the instructions in the official application form. Applicants should submit a current and clear document showing their residential address.
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed against:
- Eligibility requirements
- Academic performance
- Scarce-skills alignment
- Residency requirements
- Availability of funding
- Completeness of the application
- Supporting documentation
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by no later than:
15 January 2027
Applicants who have not received feedback 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 means that the period of service may correspond with the number of years for which the student received bursary funding.
The service commitment will also provide graduates with practical workplace experience.
Applicants should carefully review the terms and conditions before accepting a bursary award.
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 may be hand-delivered to one of the following centres.
City of Cape Town Walk-in 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 should submit early to allow sufficient time to obtain certified documents, academic records, proof of acceptance and references.
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, 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 included in 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.