Who can apply for the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary?

The bursary is open to unemployed South African citizens who have completed Matric with at least a 50% overall academic average, who come from low- to middle-income households (annual household income below R600,000), and who are studying or accepted to study a built-environment qualification at a public university, university of technology or TVET college. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students, including Masters and PhD candidates, may apply.

What does the bursary cover?

It is a full-cost bursary covering tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and meals, and transport fees (with conditions). Masters and PhD students also receive a research allowance. The total value is not published as a fixed figure.

Applications are submitted online only through the CETA INDICIUM SETA Management System at https://indicium.ceta.org.za/Pages/OnlineRegistration/OnlineBursaryRegistration.aspx. Emailed or hand-delivered applications are not accepted. You will need to register, complete the application form and upload your supporting documents before the closing date.

When is the application deadline?

For the 2026 cycle, applications opened on 05 January 2026 at 08:00 and closed on 30 January 2026 at 00:00. This is a recurring annual scheme and the application window typically opens in January for the upcoming academic year, so prospective applicants should monitor the CETA website for the next cycle.

Engineering CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System)

CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme

The CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary Scheme is a full-cost bursary from the Construction Education and Training Authority for unemployed South African students from low- to middle-income households who are studying or accepted to study a built-environment qualification. It supports undergraduate and postgraduate students (including Masters and PhD) in fields such as Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying and Architecture at public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges. The bursary was renamed in memory of the late Mr Thapelo Madibeng, a CETA core business executive who passed away in August 2018.

Amount:

Full-cost bursary (value not published as a fixed figure) covering tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation, meals and transport, plus a research allowance for Masters and PhD students.

Deadline:

30 January 2026

Renewable:

Yes

Applications closed

Check back next cycle

Apply on CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System)'s site

Eligible Fields of Study

CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System) supports students in the following disciplines

Architecture

Building Arts

Civil Engineering

Climate Change Science

Construction BIM

Construction Economics

Construction Management

Quantity Surveying

Urban and Regional Planning

Other construction / built-environment related qualifications up to PhD level

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Currently unemployed
✓ Completed Matric
✓ Minimum 50% overall academic average
✓ Studying or accepted to study a built-environment qualification at a public university, university of technology or TVET college
✓ From a low- to middle-income household with annual household income less than R600,000 per annum (financial need)
✓ Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students (including Masters and PhD level)

What's Included

✓ Tuition fees
✓ Prescribed textbooks
✓ Accommodation and meals
✓ Transport fees (with conditions)
✓ Research allowance for Masters and PhD students

How to Apply

Steps to complete your CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System) bursary application

1
Visit the CETA INDICIUM online bursary registration portal at https://indicium.ceta.org.za/Pages/OnlineRegistration/OnlineBursaryRegistration.aspx during the open application window (applications opened 05 January 2026 at 08:00 and closed 30 January 2026 at 00:00 for the 2026 cycle)
2
Register and create a profile on the INDICIUM SETA Management System
3
Complete the online bursary application form in full (online applications only - no emailed or hand-delivered applications are accepted)
4
Upload your certified ID copy, latest academic results on institution letterhead, 2026 proof of admission or registration, proof of household income and proof of residence
5
Submit your completed application before the closing date and time
6
Wait for feedback from CETA on the outcome of your application

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of South African ID
📄 Latest academic results on the institution's letterhead
📄 2026 proof of admission or registration at a public university, university of technology or TVET college
📄 Proof of household income
📄 Proof of residence

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for the CETA Thapelo Madibeng Bursary?: The bursary is open to unemployed South African citizens who have completed Matric with at least a 50% overall academic average, who come from low- to middle-income households (annual household income below R600,000), and who are studying or accepted to study a built-environment qualification at a public university, university of technology or TVET college. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students, including Masters and PhD candidates, may apply.
What does the bursary cover?: It is a full-cost bursary covering tuition fees, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and meals, and transport fees (with conditions). Masters and PhD students also receive a research allowance. The total value is not published as a fixed figure.
How do I apply?: Applications are submitted online only through the CETA INDICIUM SETA Management System at https://indicium.ceta.org.za/Pages/OnlineRegistration/OnlineBursaryRegistration.aspx. Emailed or hand-delivered applications are not accepted. You will need to register, complete the application form and upload your supporting documents before the closing date.
When is the application deadline?: For the 2026 cycle, applications opened on 05 January 2026 at 08:00 and closed on 30 January 2026 at 00:00. This is a recurring annual scheme and the application window typically opens in January for the upcoming academic year, so prospective applicants should monitor the CETA website for the next cycle.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 30 January 2026

Apply on CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System)'s official site

Need help? Contact CETA (Construction Education and Training Authority) (administered in-house by CETA via the INDICIUM SETA Management System):

Email: [email protected]

Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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