Architecture Bursaries 2025 - Top Funding Opportunities

Since democracy in 1994, South Africa’s economy has grow at a reasonable speed leading to growth in various sectors. On the other hand, the need for investment targeting infrastructure and urban development has also skyrocketed. South Africa must produce more locally trained architects to meet this growth-driven demand. More students are now considering architectural qualifications as an option. Architecture bursaries make it possible for Matriculants to consider architecture when making career choices. Without bursaries many will not be able to undertake studies in this fields.

Student who are already undertaking architectural studies will agree that the cost of too high. This makes it difficult for new entrance to afford tuition fees. Many students with potential end up enrolling for alternative qualifications to avoid expenses associated with architecture. This is where architecture bursaries come in handy!

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How To Find Architecture Bursaries In South Africa?

Organisations like government, municipalities, and private companies offer architecture bursary programme. They use online platforms to publish and promote bursaries that they offer under their corporate social investment programmes.

The other helpful method is to visit noticeboards in universities and universities technology where latest funding opportunities get posted. This is helpful to students who are already studying in institutions of higher learning in South Africa

Additionally, government departments and municipalities frequently use newspaper advertisements to publish bursaries to address infrastructure and urban planning growth demand.

Lastly, there area networking events organised by architecture companies that discuss funding opportunities they offer. You can subscribe with your email address to receive invitations to events organised by such companies.

Top Architecture Bursaries in South Africa

Below is the list of top architecture funding opportunities offered by various companies:

1. Absa Fellowship/Scholarship Programme

This bursary programme is open to high-performing students pursuing architecture and related study fields.

2. Arup Education Trust Bursary

Supports applicants from from disadvantaged backgrounds
Targets sustainable design and innovation.

3. Boogertman + Partners Bursary

Offers financial aid to architecture students
Exposure beneficiaries to one of South Africa’s leading architectural firms.

4. Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary

This one is open to architecture and other fields of study
Open to students who reside in the Buffalo City locality.

5. Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary

Support is only extended to applicants from the Bushbuckridge locality
Cover expenses for study fields like architecture and engineering.

6. CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

This is a bursary programme suitable for architecture and contruction related qualifications.

7. City of Cape Town Bursary

Offers financial support to applicants in critical study fields like architecture.
The strategic aim is to develop skills that can be employed to support city’s growth.

8. Department of Public Works Bursary

This one provides funding for infrastructure related qualifications, architectural studies and more.

9. Drakenstein Municipality Bursary

Focuses on students in the Drakenstein region pursuing architecture and related studies.

10. Eastern Cape Department of Transport Bursary

Offers financial aid to students in fields critical to the province, including architecture.

11. Eastern Cape Department of Public Works and Infrastructure Bursary

Students from the Eastern Cape who are interested architecture and public infrastructure studies can apply for this bursary programme.

12. eThekwini Municipality Bursary

It is open to only students within the eThekwini Municipality who are pursuing careers in architecture and other qualifications.

13. Fluor Bursary

This bursary is open to applications from students interested technical and creative disciplines. This includes architecture and similar studies.

14. Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality Bursary

Covers tuition for students from the Ekurhuleni region studying architecture and other fields.

15. Gallagher Foundation Scholarship

This international scholarship programme is extended South African applicants who possess leadership abilities and are studying towards architecture and related qualifications.

16. Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development Bursary

Offers financial support to architecture students contributing to Gauteng’s development.

17. KwaDukuza Municipality Bursary

Assists students from the KwaDukuza area pursuing architecture and related studies.

18. ILASA Bursary

Students in landscape architecture can submit their applications for this bursary programme.

19. iSimangaliso Wetland Park Bursary

Funds architecture students interested in sustainable and environmentally friendly designs.

20. Islamic Relief Bursary

Focuses on helping needy applicants who are studying towards architecture.

21. Limpopo Department of Public Works Bursary

Covers studies in architecture to address infrastructure needs in Limpopo.

22. Masakh’iSizwe (Department of Transport and Public Works) Bursary

Invites applications from the Western Cape students who have chosen architecture as a qualification of choice. Students in Infrastructure-related fields can also apply for funding.

23. Mpumalanga Provincial Government Bursary

Provides funding for architecture and related fields to drive the province’s development.

24. NESP Scholarship

This is scholarship that is open only to postgraduate students in architecture and other high-demand study fields.

25. Ndwedwe Local Municipality Bursary

Aims to uplift students in the Ndwedwe region pursuing architecture and engineering.

26. Nkangala District Municipality Bursary

Funds studies in architecture and other critical areas for regional development.

27. North West Provincial Government Bursaries

Offers financial support to architecture students within the North West province.

28. Oasis Bursary

Covers expenses for students studying towards architecture and related fields of study.

29. Overberg District Municipality Bursary

Supports architecture and other priority fields for students in the Overberg region.

30. Pyrotec Bursary

Invites applications from innovation-driven students, including architecture.

31. Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) Bursary

Offers financial aid to students in architecture to promote development in Richards Bay.

32. SAOTA Bursary

Does not only provides funding but also extends mentorship to successful architecture applicants.

33. SIOC Community Development Trust (SIOC-cdt) Bursary

Funds architecture studies to support sustainable community growth.

34. South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP) Bursary

This one helps students pursuing accredited architecture qualifications in South Africa.

35. Steve Tshwete Local Municipality Bursary

Assists students from the Steve Tshwete area in fields like architecture and engineering.

36. SVA International Bursary

Provides financial support together with experiential training to students pursuing architecture.

Eligibility Requirements for Architecture Bursaries

Bursary providers who offer architecture bursaries have different reason for doing so. Eligibility requirements differ from one company to another. Below are common requirements presented in a table format:

Eligibility Requirement	Description
Academic Performance	Most bursary providers require strong academic performance to ensure applicants can complete their studies. Matric results are used for undergraduate applicants, with emphasis on subjects like Mathematics, Physical Science, and Visual Arts.
Enrollment Status	Applicants must provide proof of acceptance or enrollment at a recognized South African university or university of technology for architecture studies, whether at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
South African Citizenship	Many bursaries require applicants to be South African citizens. Some may also accept permanent residents as eligible candidates.
Financial Need	Bursaries often prioritize applicants with financial need. Certified proof of income is typically required for both undergraduate and postgraduate applicants to demonstrate eligibility.
Field of Study	Architecture bursaries are limited to students pursuing fields directly related to architecture, urban planning, or the built environment. Some programs may emphasize sustainable design or community development.

Top Universities Offering Architecture Studies in South Africa

Below is the list South African universities and universities of technology that offer architecture but also assist students with bursaries to pay for their studies:

University of Cape Town (UCT)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS), Master of Architecture (Professional)
- The University of Cape Town is leading in its focus on sustainability and innovation in architectural studies it offers.
University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture (Professional)
- Wits university offers architecture by combining design creativity with technical expertise.
University of Pretoria (UP)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Master of Architecture (Professional)
- The University of Pretoria approaches architectural studies from urban design and research-driven projects angle.
Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Master of Architecture (Professional)
- The Nelson Mandela University is popular for its community-oriented architectural solutions.
University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Master of Architecture (Professional)
- The University of KwaZulu Natal uses a teaching approach that places a strong foundation in both theory and practical design.
Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture, National Diploma in Architecture, Master of Architecture The Tshwane University of Technology takes a teaching approach that focuses on integrating technology with architectural innovation.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Technology in Architectural Technology, Advanced Diploma in Architectural Technology Cape Peninsula University of Technology places its emphas technical proficiency and practical application.
University of the Free State (UFS)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture Studies, Master of Architecture (Professional)
- University of Free State takes a student-centered teaching approach with emphasis on spatial design.
Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Degrees: Diploma in Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture Technology
- Durban University of Technology specializes in applied architectural practices and design.
University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- Degrees: Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture
- University of Johannesburg approaches architecture from urbanism and architectural heritage angle.

Explore More Funding In Other Fields of Study:
Check out our list below arranged by fields of study. Additionally, you can explore bursaries tailored to your specific academic or career goals.

About the Author:

Mr. Percy Mncwango is a seasoned education writer with over 10 years of experience in creating high-ranking articles that provide valuable guidance for students seeking university funding. As a graduate of the University of Cape Town Business School, Percy combines deep knowledge and personal experience to help students succeed. He has received bursaries from Nampak, Telkom, and the Institute of Directors of South Africa (IoD). Percy’s educational background, which includes Richtec TVET, Mangosuthu University of Technology, and UCT GSB, equips him with a unique perspective that enriches his SEO-optimized content and resonates with aspiring scholars.