The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 is now open for applications. If you are a South African citizen residing in Cape Town, currently in Matric or have completed Matric, and you are pursuing studies in scarce skills fields such as Engineering, Accounting, IT, Environmental Sciences, or Law, this opportunity could help you fund your education. Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, the oldest city in the country, and the economic and cultural hub of the Western Cape. In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027: who qualifies, what fields are covered, what expenses are included, and how to apply before the closing date.
About the City of Cape Town
Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa, the oldest city in the country, and the economic and cultural hub of the Western Cape. Also known as the “Mother City”, it has a population of about 4.8 million people and is famous for its stunning natural features and global appeal.
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 invites students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2027 academic year.
Organisation: City of Cape Town • Location: Western Cape • Population: 4.8 million • Academic Year: 2027
What Fields of Study Are Covered?
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 will be awarded to students who reside in Cape Town for studies within these scarce skills fields (at Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Honours, Masters, or Doctorate level):
- Accounting / Auditing / Internal Auditing
- Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry / Chemical Science
- Contract Management
- Data Science / Statistics
- Economics
- Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Mechanical, Industrial)
- Environmental Management / Water Sciences / Ecology
- Geographic Information Systems
- Geohydrology
- Information Technology / Management / Systems
- Law
- Library Sciences
- Logistics Management
- Marine Biology
- Microbiology / Atmospheric Science
- Regional / Urban / Town Planning
- Project Management
- Psychology (Industrial / Organisational Psychology)
- Water and Waste Management
- Water Quality
- Urban Design, Landscape, Planning, Surveying and Architecture
Note: Scarce skills are fields in which there are not enough qualified individuals to do a specific job. The above scarce skills have been identified by the City of Cape Town as these are the qualifications in demand at the City.
What Expenses Does the Bursary Cover?
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 will provide cover for the following expenses:
- Registration fees
- Examinations fees
- Tuition fees
Eligibility Requirements for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027
Before you apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027, check that you meet all the requirements below. If you miss any requirement, your application will not be considered.
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside in Cape Town, in the Western Cape province
- You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average result of 65% in Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a qualification within one of the scarce skills areas listed above (part-time studies may be considered if the qualification is not offered full-time, subject to written confirmation from the academic institution)
- You must be studying or registered to study at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa (University, University of Technology, or TVET College)
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary awards or financial assistance (including NSFAS)
Required Documents
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027. All documents must be certified.
- ID document
- Matric mid-year results (if currently in Matric)
- Matric certificate (if completed Matric)
- Full academic record or transcripts (if currently studying) – on institution’s letterhead
- Proof of registration or provisional acceptance at a tertiary institution (if not studying yet) – on institution’s letterhead
- Statement of account from tertiary institution (if registered and studying)
- Awards or certificates won (if applicable)
- Recommendation letter from a teacher/mentor/peer (if applicable)
- 2 contactable references (with their contact details)
- Proof of residence
- Proof of work completed in your chosen field of study (if applicable)
Important Information
- Shortlisted candidates for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 will be contacted by no later than 15 January 2027. If you do not receive any feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful
- After graduation, students will complete a year-for-a-year service commitment at the City, which will allow students to gain hands-on work experience
How to Apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027
Follow these steps to submit your application for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements listed above, including being a South African citizen residing in Cape Town, having a 65% Matric average, and not receiving other funding.
Step 2: Download or Collect the Application Form
Download and complete the City of Cape Town Bursary Application Form 2027, or collect a copy at one of the City libraries or Walk-in Centres.
Direct form link: https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Forms,%20notices,%20tariffs%20and%20lists/External-Bursary-Application-Form.pdf
You may also collect a copy at one of the City libraries or Walk-in Centres listed below.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
Gather all the required documents listed above, ensuring they are certified copies.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
You may submit your application in either of the following ways:
By Email
Send to: external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za
Email subject line: “City of Cape Town Bursary 2027”
By Hand Delivery to any Walk-in Centre
- Bellville Municipal Office: Reed Street, Bellville, 7530
- Brackenfell: Cnr Paradys and Old Paarl Roads, Brackenfell, 7560
- Cape Town Civic Centre: Civic Centre, 2nd Floor Podium, 12 Hertzog Boulevard, Cape Town, 8000
- Parow: Civic Centre, Voortrekker Road, Parow, 7500
- Plumstead: Municipal Office, Cnr Victoria and Main Roads, Plumstead, 7140
- Strand: Ground Floor, Municipal Office, Cnr Fagan and Main Roads, Strand, 7140
Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline
⏰ Closing Date for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027: 17 August 2026. Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted. Please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.
Contact Information
If you have any queries related to the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027, please contact the City of Cape Town directly:
- HR Service Desk
- Telephone: 0860 103 089 / 021 400 3434 (option 6)
- Email: external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za
City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 – Quick Summary
- Organisation: City of Cape Town
- Bursary Name: City of Cape Town Bursary Programme
- Academic Year: 2027
- Who can apply: South African citizens residing in Cape Town
- Fields of study: Scarce skills (Accounting, Engineering, IT, Environmental Sciences, Law, Planning, etc.)
- Study level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Honours, Masters, Doctorate
- Institution type: University, University of Technology, or TVET College
- Minimum Matric requirement: 65% overall average
- Key requirement: Not receiving any other bursary or financial assistance (including NSFAS)
- What is covered: Registration fees, examination fees, tuition fees
- Work-back requirement: Year-for-a-year service commitment at the City after graduation
- Required documents: ID, Matric results, academic record, proof of registration, fee statement, references, proof of residence
- Application method: Email OR hand delivery to Walk-in Centres
- Email subject line: “City of Cape Town Bursary 2027”
- Closing date: 17 August 2026
- Notification date: By 15 January 2027
Frequently Asked Questions About the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027
1. Can I apply if I live outside Cape Town?
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 is specifically for students who reside in Cape Town, Western Cape. Applicants from outside Cape Town will not be considered.
2. What is the minimum Matric requirement?
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 requires a minimum overall average result of 65% in Matric.
3. Can I apply if I am receiving NSFAS funding?
No. The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 requires that you are NOT receiving any other bursary awards or financial assistance, including NSFAS.
4. What is the work-back requirement?
After graduation, recipients of the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 will complete a year-for-a-year service commitment at the City, which allows students to gain hands-on work experience.
5. Can part-time students apply?
The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 is primarily for full-time studies. Part-time studies may be considered if the qualification is not offered full-time, subject to written confirmation from the academic institution.
6. What are scarce skills?
Scarce skills are fields in which there are not enough qualified individuals to do a specific job. The City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 focuses on qualifications that are in demand at the City.
7. When will I know if my application was successful?
Shortlisted candidates for the City of Cape Town Bursary South Africa 2027 will be contacted by no later than 15 January 2027. If you do not receive any feedback by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
8. Where can I find more bursaries in the Western Cape?
Visit EduFunds Western Cape bursaries page for more funding opportunities in the province.
Looking for more study funding? Explore all bursaries for 2027 on EduFunds.co.za
City of Cape Town
Bursary Programme 2027
Developing scarce skills • Building the Mother City • Creating opportunities for all