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Engineering Bursaries
Bursaries for South African students studying electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, industrial, mining and metallurgical engineering.
51 opportunities listed, page 1 of 5
Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary 2026
Gauteng City Region Academy
Provincial bursary for Gauteng residents studying scarce-skill fields.
ACSA Bursary Programme 2026
Airports Company South Africa
Airports Company South Africa bursaries for aviation, engineering and management students.
MTN SA Foundation Bursary 2026
MTN SA Foundation
Bursary for ICT, engineering and science students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
PPS Foundation Bursary Programme
PPS Foundation
Bursary for graduate professionals in scarce-skill fields.
Bill Venter Educational Trust
Bursary for engineering and technology students.
Engen Bursary Programme
Engen Petroleum
Engen supports students in engineering, science and commerce disciplines relevant to refining, retail and supply operations.
Senwes Apprenticeship Programme
Senwes
Senwes runs a three-year apprenticeship stream within its early careers programmes for agricultural and technical trades.
Toyota South Africa Apprenticeship Programme
Toyota South Africa Motors
Toyota South Africa runs an apprenticeship programme covering automotive and technical trades. Check the official Toyota careers site for a current intake.
CETA Bursary Programme
Construction Education and Training Authority
CETA funds built environment and construction studies including civil engineering and quantity surveying.
Eskom Power Plant Engineering Institute Bursary
Eskom
Postgraduate and undergraduate funding in power plant engineering through Eskom's specialist engineering institute.
Thungela Resources Bursary
Thungela Resources
Thungela funds mining, engineering and geology students, with placements at its South African thermal coal operations.
South African Breweries Bursary
South African Breweries
SAB funds engineering, brewing science and commerce students, with a route into its graduate programmes.
How engineering funding works in South Africa
Engineering is the most heavily funded study area in South Africa because mining, energy, water, manufacturing and construction employers all fund their future pipeline. Most engineering bursaries are corporate or state-owned entity programmes, which means they are usually tied to a discipline (electrical, mechanical, civil, chemical, mining, industrial or metallurgical), a set of accredited universities, and in many cases a vacation-work and work-back arrangement.
Read more: Engineering bursaries and work-back bonding explained
Discipline matters more than the word engineering
A funder advertising an engineering bursary often awards only within one or two disciplines. An energy utility may fund electrical (heavy current) and mechanical only; a water board may fund civil and chemical. Read the discipline list and, where the funder names it, the specialisation, before you spend time on the application.
Maths and Physical Science results are the first filter
Engineering funders almost always screen on Grade 11 or matric Mathematics (not Mathematical Literacy) and Physical Sciences. If you are already at university, most schemes look at your weighted average and whether you passed every module in the previous year. Have those results ready as certified documents before the window opens.
Vacation work and work-back are part of the deal
Many engineering bursaries include compulsory vacation work and a work-back period, commonly one year of service per year funded. That is not a hidden cost, but it does affect where you will live and work after graduating. Check the obligation, the placement location and what happens if the company cannot place you.
ECSA accreditation of your programme
Funders that recruit for professional registration usually require an ECSA-accredited BEng or BEngTech at a recognised institution. If you are studying a related but non-accredited qualification, confirm eligibility with the funder in writing rather than assuming the field name is enough.
Questions students ask about engineering funding
- Can I apply for an engineering bursary in my first year?
- Yes. Many corporate schemes recruit matriculants and first-year students, and some only open from second year once university results exist. Each listing on this page shows the study levels the funder accepts.
- Do engineering bursaries cover accommodation?
- Some cover tuition, residence, meals, books and a laptop; others pay tuition only. The benefits shown on each listing come from the funder's own published information, so compare them before you accept an award.