Harmony Gold Mining Company invites South African Grade 12 learners and current tertiary students to apply for the Harmony Gold Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 9 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The bursary provides an opportunity for students who want to pursue full-time studies in fields linked to the mining industry, including Mining Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology, Survey and Planning, and Extractive Metallurgy.
Harmony’s bursary programme is aimed at recruiting students for full-time study at accredited tertiary institutions, with preference given to applicants from communities surrounding the company’s mining operations.
About the Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited offers full-time bursaries as part of its education, skills-development and talent-development initiatives.
The bursary programme is particularly relevant to young South Africans who want to build careers in mining, engineering, geology, metallurgy and related technical fields.
Applications are open to both Grade 12 learners preparing to enter tertiary education and students who are already studying at accredited tertiary institutions.
Harmony indicates that its annual bursary allocation is generally structured around:
- 60% for core and critical disciplines;
- 30% for non-core but mining-related disciplines; and
- 10% for other disciplines.
The fields supported may change depending on Harmony’s business requirements.
Fields of Study
The official Harmony Gold 2027 bursary application form identifies several study disciplines.
Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current
Students interested in Electrical Engineering can apply, specifically those pursuing the Heavy Current field.
Engineering applicants should take particular note of the higher Mathematics and Physical Science requirements explained below.
Mechanical Engineering
Harmony also accepts applications from students interested in Mechanical Engineering.
This field can provide pathways into engineering environments involving machinery, pumps, conveyors, ventilation systems, processing equipment and other industrial infrastructure.
Mining Engineering
Mining Engineering is one of the core disciplines listed in the Harmony bursary application.
The field can involve areas such as:
- Mine design;
- Mine planning;
- Production;
- Mineral extraction;
- Underground and surface mining operations;
- Mining safety and productivity;
- Mining systems; and
- Operational management.
Geology
Students pursuing Geology can also apply.
Geology plays an important role in mining because geological knowledge is required to understand geological formations, mineral deposits and ore bodies.
Survey and Planning
Harmony’s bursary application form also includes Survey and Planning.
Mine surveying involves measurements, mapping, spatial information and other technical information used in the planning and management of mining activities.
Extractive Metallurgy
Extractive Metallurgy is another field specifically listed for the 2027 bursary intake.
This field focuses on processes used to recover valuable minerals and metals from ores and other materials.
Other Fields
The application form also contains an “Other” study-field option.
Harmony’s broader bursary approach allows for core disciplines, non-core mining-related disciplines and other fields according to the company’s annual requirements.
Students studying another qualification should therefore provide their exact field of study when completing the application.
Who Can Apply for the Harmony Gold Bursary 2027?
Applicants must meet the eligibility and academic requirements specified by Harmony.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be between:
18 and 35 years old.
Citizenship
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens; and
- Have a valid South African identity document.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate and should have achieved 60% or above in the relevant subjects.
The 2027 application information indicates a general minimum of Rating Level 5 / 60% for Mathematics, Science and English.
Additional Requirements for Engineering Students
Applicants planning to study Engineering have higher Mathematics and Physical Science requirements.
Engineering applicants require at least:
- Mathematics: 70%
- Physical Science: 70%
This corresponds to Rating Level 6.
Applicants should remember that meeting the Harmony bursary requirements does not automatically mean that they meet the admission requirements for their chosen university and engineering programme.
Can Current University Students Apply?
Yes.
The Harmony Gold Bursary Programme is not limited to Grade 12 learners or first-year university applicants.
Students who are already enrolled at a tertiary institution may also apply.
Existing tertiary students must have achieved an average of at least 60% in their major subjects.
Current students will need to provide information including:
- Name of their institution;
- Current year of study;
- Expected year of study in 2027;
- Field and course of study;
- Student number; and
- Academic record.
Full-Time Study Requirement
The Harmony bursary is intended for full-time study at an accredited tertiary institution.
Applicants should therefore check that their intended institution, qualification and mode of study comply with the bursary requirements before submitting their applications.
Preference for Communities Around Harmony Operations
Harmony states that its bursary scheme aims to recruit and select bursars, preferably from communities surrounding its mining operations.
Applicants must provide truthful residential information and the required proof of address.
Applicants should not claim to live within or have a connection to a mining community if that information is not accurate.
Applicants with Disabilities
Harmony welcomes applications from people with disabilities.
The bursary information also notes that selection may be subject to the physical requirements of the occupation associated with the qualification.
Applicants should provide accurate information where disability-related information is requested on the application form.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare the supporting documents required for the Harmony Gold Bursary application.
These may include:
- Certified copy of a South African ID;
- Certified proof of academic results;
- Grade 11 December results for applicable Grade 12 learners;
- Grade 12 mid-year or preliminary results;
- Complete academic transcript for applicants already studying at a tertiary institution;
- A brief CV or résumé of no more than three pages;
- Proof of residential address; and
- Registration or acceptance letter from the tertiary institution.
Applicants should check their documentation carefully before submitting the application.
How to Apply for Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants must use the official Harmony Bursary 2027 application form.
The application form must be completed thoroughly. Harmony instructs applicants to complete the prescribed form in block letters using black ink.
Applicants will be required to provide information relating to their:
- Personal details;
- Parent or guardian;
- Educational history;
- Intended field of study;
- University;
- Existing bursary or sponsorship;
- Employment history;
- Motivation for their chosen course;
- Leadership activities; and
- Extracurricular activities.
After completing the form, attach all the required supporting documents.
Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted by email to:
Applicants can obtain the official 2027 bursary application form from Harmony Gold’s Opportunities for Students page.
When visiting the page, look for:
“Our 2027 bursary intake is open”
and download the prescribed application form.
Harmony Gold Bursary Closing Date
Applications for the Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027 close on:
9 October 2026
Harmony states that late applications will not be considered.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the closing date to collect academic records, certified documents, proof of residence and university documentation.
Important Information for Applicants
Before submitting your application:
- Check that you meet the academic requirements;
- Make sure you are applying for full-time study;
- Complete the prescribed Harmony bursary application form;
- Attach all required supporting documents;
- Ensure that your academic information is accurate;
- Provide truthful residential information; and
- Submit your application before 9 October 2026.
Incomplete applications or missing supporting documents may affect the processing of an application.