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Engineering Bursaries South Africa 2027

Engineering is one of the broadest fields of study in South Africa, with career opportunities ranging from civil and structural engineering to mining, chemical, electrical, mechanical, electronics, mechatronics and aerospace engineering.

Engineering bursaries can help cover the cost of tuition and other study-related expenses for students who want to pursue these qualifications. However, bursary providers do not all fund the same engineering fields, and some programmes are specifically aimed at Grade 12 learners while others accept students who are already studying at university.

Below, you can find engineering bursaries for the 2027 academic year arranged according to the engineering field they support.

See all bursaries OPEN for application here

CAREERS & QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR ENGINEERING FIELDS

In South Africa, professional engineering careers generally begin with an accredited engineering degree or other recognised tertiary qualification appropriate to the discipline.

TYPE OF ENGINEER TYPICAL QUALIFICATION IN SOUTH AFRICA ESTIMATED ENTRY SALARY
Aeronautical / Aerospace Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in an engineering discipline relevant to aerospace R25,000 – R45,000 per month
Bioresource Engineer BEng, BSc Eng or another recognised engineering qualification related to biological, agricultural or environmental systems Varies by role and industry
Chemical Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Chemical Engineering R25,000 – R45,000 per month
Civil Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Civil Engineering R22,000 – R35,000 per month
Construction Engineer BEng or BSc Eng, usually in Civil or Construction-related Engineering R22,000 – R35,000 per month
Electrical Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Electrical Engineering R22,000 – R40,000 per month
Electronics Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Electronic / Electronic and Computer Engineering R22,000 – R40,000 per month
Environmental Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Environmental Engineering or a related engineering field R22,000 – R38,000 per month
Industrial Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Industrial Engineering R22,000 – R40,000 per month
Instrumentation Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Electrical, Electronic, Control or Instrumentation Engineering R22,000 – R40,000 per month
Mechanical Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Mechanical Engineering R20,000 – R35,000 per month
Mechatronics Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Mechatronics Engineering R25,000 – R45,000 per month
Metallurgical Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Metallurgical Engineering R25,000 – R45,000 per month
Mine Surveyor BSc / BSc Eng or another recognised qualification in Mine Surveying R25,000 – R45,000 per month
Mining Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Mining Engineering R35,000 – R60,000 per month
Rock Engineer Engineering degree, commonly Mining Engineering, followed by specialist rock engineering training Varies by qualification and experience
Sound Engineer Diploma, degree or other recognised tertiary qualification in Sound / Audio Engineering Varies by role and industry
Structural Engineer BEng or BSc Eng in Civil Engineering followed by structural specialisation R22,000 – R40,000 per month
Systems Engineer BEng, BSc Eng or another relevant engineering / technology qualification R25,000 – R45,000 per month

Important: The qualification requirements and university admission requirements vary between institutions and engineering disciplines. Students should check the admission requirements of the university offering their chosen engineering qualification.

WHERE CAN I APPLY FOR ENGINEERING BURSARIES IN SOUTH AFRICA

Engineering bursaries in South Africa are offered by mining companies, energy companies, engineering and manufacturing businesses, research institutions, government organisations and industry bodies. Some of these organisations provide bursaries specifically for engineering students, while others fund engineering alongside science, technology and other fields of study.

Examples of organisations offering engineering-related bursary opportunities include Eskom, CSIR, Sasol, Exxaro, Seriti, SANSA, MQA, Implats, Foskor, Altech, IMESA and Old Mutual.

The engineering fields supported vary between bursary providers. Some programmes may focus on areas such as mining, mechanical, electrical or chemical engineering, while others accept a wider range of engineering qualifications.

AERONAUTICAL & AEROSPACE ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Aeronautical and aerospace engineering focuses on the design, development, testing and maintenance of aircraft, spacecraft, satellites and related systems. Students interested in this field may enter through engineering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, electronic or other relevant engineering degrees.

Engineering students interested in aeronautical or aerospace-related careers should look at bursaries offered by organisations involved in science, aerospace, defence, aviation and advanced engineering.

  • SANSA Bursary
  • CSIR Bursary
  • CSIR-SASOL Foundation Bursary
  • Absa Fellowship / Scholarship Programme
  • Armscor Bursary
  • ATNS AIMO Bursary
  • Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Bursary
  • Education Empowerment and Development Fund (EEDF) Bursary
  • Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Bursary
  • ISFAP Postgraduate Bursary
  • J.P. Morgan Bursary
  • KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Bursary
  • South African Civil Aviation Authority Bursary
  • Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary

BIORESOURCE ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Bioresource engineering combines engineering and biological sciences to develop systems and technologies involving natural resources, agriculture, plants, animals and the environment.

  • Absa Fellowship / Scholarship Programme
  • Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Bursary
  • Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) Bursary
  • Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (LDARD) Bursary
  • SAMAC Bursary

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Chemical engineering combines engineering, chemistry, mathematics and process technology to develop and improve industrial processes. Chemical engineers can work in industries such as chemicals, energy, mining, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and food production.

CIVIL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Civil engineering deals with the planning, design, construction and maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, buildings, water systems and other public and private infrastructure.

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Construction engineering focuses on the engineering, planning, management and construction of infrastructure. It overlaps strongly with civil and structural engineering.

ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Electrical engineering focuses on electricity, electrical systems, power generation, transmission, control systems and electrical equipment. It is one of the most widely funded engineering fields in South Africa.

ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Electronics engineering focuses on electronic circuits, digital systems, communications, embedded systems, control systems and electronic devices.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Environmental engineering applies engineering principles to environmental challenges such as water quality, pollution, waste management, resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.

GENERAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

General engineering funding is useful for students whose qualification does not fit neatly into one of the specialised engineering categories above, as well as students applying for broader engineering and technology programmes.

  • CSIR Bursary
  • Eskom Bursary
  • SANSA Bursary
  • Old Mutual Imfundo Trust Scholarship
  • Implats Bursary
  • Absa Fellowship / Scholarship Programme
  • African Exploration Mining and Finance Corporation (AEMFC) Bursary
  • Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Bursary
  • Air Products South Africa Bursary
  • Arup Education Trust Bursary
  • Astron Energy Bursary
  • BASF South Africa Trust Bursary
  • BEKA Schréder Bursary
  • Black Management Forum (BMF) Bursary
  • Bridgestone Bursary
  • CEF SOC Ltd Bursary
  • City of Cape Town Bursary
  • Dube TradePort Bursary
  • Environmental Resources Management (ERM) Bursary
  • General Electric Bursary
  • Investec Bursary
  • Komatsu Bursary
  • Manitou Bursary
  • Motsepe Foundation Bursary
  • Mtema Mashao Consulting Engineers Bursary
  • National Research Foundation Bursary
  • Naspers Bursary
  • SKA South Africa Bursaries
  • South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) Bursary
  • Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary
  • Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary
  • Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) Bursary
  • Weir Minerals Africa Bursary
  • Zutari Bursary South Africa

INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Industrial engineering focuses on improving systems, processes, productivity and the efficient use of people, equipment, materials and other resources.

INSTRUMENTATION ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Instrumentation engineering focuses on measurement, control systems, automation and the equipment used to monitor and control industrial processes.

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Mechanical engineering involves the design, development, testing and maintenance of machines, mechanical systems and equipment. Mechanical engineers work across industries including mining, manufacturing, energy, automotive and industrial production.

MECHATRONICS BURSARIES FOR 2027

Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering with electronics, electrical engineering, computer systems and control engineering. It is particularly relevant to automation, robotics, manufacturing and intelligent machines.

METALLURGY BURSARIES FOR 2027

Metallurgy deals with metals, alloys and the physical and chemical properties of metallic materials. Metallurgical engineers can work in mining, minerals processing, manufacturing, materials science and metal production.

MINE SURVEYING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Mine surveying involves measuring, mapping and monitoring mines and mining operations. Mine surveyors provide information used for mine planning, excavation, safety and the management of mineral resources.

MINING ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Mining engineering focuses on the planning, design and management of mining operations. Mining engineers work with mineral extraction, mine safety, production systems and the technical management of mines.

ROCK ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Rock engineering is closely associated with mining and focuses on the behaviour, stability and safety of rock masses in underground and surface mining environments. Related study and career pathways can include mining engineering and other mining-related disciplines.

SOUND ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Sound engineering, also called audio engineering, involves the technical production, recording, mixing and manipulation of sound. It is different from the traditional BEng engineering disciplines and is generally studied through specialised audio, sound or media programmes.

  • General Bursaries – students should check individual provider rules to determine whether Sound or Audio Engineering is an approved field.
  • Absa Fellowship / Scholarship Programme
  • Cape Winelands District Municipality Mayoral Bursary

Note: Sound Engineering is not normally treated as a conventional engineering degree such as Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. Always confirm that the qualification is specifically accepted by the bursary provider.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Structural engineering focuses on the strength, stability and safety of structures such as buildings, bridges and other infrastructure. Structural engineering is commonly pursued as a specialisation within Civil Engineering.

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING BURSARIES FOR 2027

Systems engineering involves designing, integrating and managing complex systems so that different technical components work together effectively. It can overlap with electrical, electronic, mechanical, computer, mechatronics and other engineering disciplines.

Important: Being listed under an engineering field does not automatically mean that every bursary accepts every qualification within that field. Before applying, check the individual bursary page for the exact approved qualification, year of study, academic requirements, application period and other eligibility criteria.

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