LGSETA Bursary South Africa 2026 – Get all the details you need to apply for this full bursary that covers tuition, meals, books, and other study costs. Apply before closing date set out!
The LGSETA Bursary helps South African students pay for their studies in fields needed by local government. It supports young people who want to build a career that improves service delivery in their communities. These must be in line with the local government required skills. This bursary is funded by the Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) with the aim of nurturing talent and foster skills.
The authority also intends using the bursary to promote youth employability and produce a skilled workforce who understands the dynamics of the local government context. Discussed in this article is eligibility, fields of study, bursary amount, application procedure, closing date and all you must know before you apply.
About the LGSETA
The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) is a Skills Development Levies Act institution and was established in terms of the LGSETA Act, No. 56 of 1998. It plays the central role of fostering training and skills development for the employees of local government.
The LGSETA helps train workers so they can deliver better services to communities. Its main focus is on building real skills that support local government needs. Cooperating in educational projects, such as bursaries, LGSETA is planning to produce competent personnel to contribute to the improvement of the local governance.
Fields of Study Covered by the LGSETA Bursary
The LGSETA bursary covers many study fields linked to local government services. Some of the main areas include:
- Accounting/ Financial Accounting/ Management Accounting/ Accounting Science (Honours/ Bachelor)
- City/ Regional Planning/ City Planning and Urban Design/ Urban and Regional Planning/ Town and Regional Planning/ Development Planning (Masters)
- Civil Engineering (N4, N5 & N6)
- Civil Engineering (specialisations: Environmental; Construction Management; Water; Transport; and Urban Engineering) (Bachelor/ Diploma)
- Civil Engineering Technologist (specialisations: Environmental; Construction Management; Water; Transport; and Urban Engineering) (Bachelor/ Diploma)
- Computer Science/ Computer Science and Information Systems/ Computer Science and Information Technology (Honours/ Bachelor)
- Disaster Management (Masters)
- Electrical Engineering (N4, N5 & N6)
- Electrical Engineering (Honours/ Bachelor/ Advanced Diploma)
- Engineering Management (Master of Engineering)
- Honours/ Advanced Diploma/ Bachelor in Environmental Management/ Environmental Science in Disaster Risk Reduction/ Environmental Planning and Development/ Environmental Science/ Environmental Engineering/ Environmental Health
- Financial Management (N4, N5 & N6)
- Information Technology related/ Information Technology in Support Services/ Information Technology Management (Honours/ Bachelor/ Advanced Diploma)
- Information Technology (NCV)
- Public Accountability (Advanced Diploma)
- Public Administration/ Public Administration and Management/ Adaptive Leadership (Advanced Diploma/ Honours/ Bachelor)
- Public Management (N4, N5 & N6)
- Supply Chain Management/ Logistics and Supply Chain/ Supply Chain and Operations Management/ Public Procurement Management/ Public Procurement Policy and Regulation (Advanced Diploma/ Bachelor)
- Town and Regional Planning/ Urban and Regional Planning (Advanced Diploma/ Postgraduate Diploma)
- Town and Regional Planning/ Urban and Regional Planning (Honours/ Bachelor/ Post Graduate Diploma)
These are the study fields you can choose from when applying.
*View similar Engineering Bursaries and Scholarships available in South Africa.
Bursary Value and Benefits
The bursary amount may change each year, depending on your university’s fees. LGSETA pays for the following study costs:
• Tuition Fees
• Accommodation
• Books/Study Materials
• Living Allowance
LGSETA Bursary Requirements 2026
To qualify for this bursary, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Applicants must be South African citizens or a permanent residents in South Africa
- Applicants must be currently in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12
- Applicants must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards one of the above qualifications in 2025
- Applicants must be studying or accepted/ provisionally accepted to study at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa (University, University of Technology or TVET Institution)
- Only applicants who are not working will qualify
How To Apply for the LGSETA Bursary?
Apply online through the official LGSETA Bursary Application 2026 portal.
When asked how you heard about it, choose grads24.co.za to be considered.
Supporting Documents Required
You must include the following documents with your application:
- Certified copy of your ID
- Grade 12 results (for first-year students) or your latest academic record
- Proof of registration or acceptance letter
- Fee structure from your university or college
- Proof of income or affidavit (if unemployed)
- Certified ID copies of your parent or guardian
Closing Date
28 November 2025
Make sure your application reaches LGSETA on or before the closing date. Late submissions will disqualify you.
**Browse more 2026 Bursaries in South Africa and submit your funding application asap!
This article was last updated in November 2025
Bursary Contact Information
If you have queries relating to this funding opportunity, please contact LGSETA directly using the following details:
- Email address: bursaryapp@lgseta.org.za
Please avoid contacting the bursary provider after the closing date unless if you are replying to their communication.
LGSETA BURSARY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Who is eligible to apply for the LGSETA bursary?
The bursary is open to applications from South African citizens who intend pursuing undergraduate qualifications as set out by the LGSETA. You can read about these under the fields of study section above. - Which study fields are considered for the bursary for 2025 academic year?
The bursary accepts applications from students interested in studies like Public Administration, Local Government, Environmental Management and Social work among others. - How much does the LGSETA bursary pay as annual allowance?
The bursary caters for tuition fees, accommodation, books as well as living allowances. Students who get invited for the internships programme earn a stipend. - When is the closing date for the LGSETA Bursary?
All applications must be submitted before or on 28 November 2025 - Is it possible for students who are taking only a few courses, part-time to apply for the bursary?
This is a full-time bursary for undergraduate students only. Postgraduate students will not be assisted on this financial support scheme.