City of Cape Town Bursaries 2027: Apply With Matric and Scarce Skills Focus

The City of Cape Town is inviting eligible South African students residing in Cape Town to apply for its 2027 Bursary Programme. This opportunity focuses on scarce and critical skills needed by the municipality and is open to 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: Matric with 65% average

About the City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027

The City of Cape Town offers bursary funding to students pursuing qualifications in fields identified as scarce and critical skills. This programme aims to develop professionals needed to support municipal services, infrastructure, planning, finance, technology, and environmental management. The bursary supports both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including Honours, Master’s, and Doctoral qualifications. It is designed for full-time study, with limited exceptions for part-time programmes.

About the City of Cape Town

The City of Cape Town is the local government responsible for providing services and managing the affairs of the metropolitan municipality. It operates across various sectors, including economic development, housing, transport, and public safety, aiming to create a sustainable and liveable city for its residents. The municipality relies on skilled professionals across many disciplines to fulfil its mandate.

Available Bursary Opportunities

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 listed areas may not be considered unless specifically approved by the City.

What the Bursary Offers

The City of Cape Town bursary provides financial support for essential study-related expenses. Successful applicants can expect the bursary to cover:

• Registration fees
• Examination fees
• Tuition fees

The provided information does not confirm funding for accommodation, meals, transport, textbooks, laptops, study equipment, or personal allowances. Applicants should not assume that expenses not expressly listed will be covered by the bursary.

Programme Duration and Location

The bursary is intended for the 2027 academic year. The programme is open to residents of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The specific duration of the bursary support will depend on the length of the chosen qualification.

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must meet all the following requirements to be considered for the City of Cape Town Bursary:

• 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, with limited exceptions for part-time studies where a qualification is 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

A minimum overall Matric average of 65% is required. 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, and TVET Colleges. Both the institution and the qualification must be appropriately accredited.

Full-Time and Part-Time Study

The bursary is primarily 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 any existing funding is essential.

Required Documents

Applicants must submit the completed application form along with clear copies of the required documents. Compulsory 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 awards or certificates received, a recommendation letter, or 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. 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 must be on official letterhead.

Proof of Residence

Applicants must provide proof that they reside within Cape Town. Acceptable proof will be detailed in the official application form. A current and clear document showing the applicant’s residential address is required.

Selection Process

Applications will be assessed based on eligibility requirements, academic performance, scarce-skills alignment, residency, funding availability, and the completeness of the application 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 and will provide valuable 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. You can download the form by clicking 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 must 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 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.

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