Engineering

Masakh'iSizwe (MiS) Bursary Programme

Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System)

The Masakh'iSizwe (MiS) Bursary Programme, established in 2006 by the Western Cape Government's Department of Infrastructure, is a full-cost bursary supporting full-time undergraduate and higher diploma students in scarce-skill engineering and built-environment disciplines. It covers tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation or transport and student support programmes for study at partner Western Cape institutions (UCT, Stellenbosch University and CPUT), with a strong focus on financially disadvantaged learners from rural Western Cape communities, women in engineering and persons with disabilities. The exact rand value is not publicly fixed, and the programme adds in-service training, internships and employment placement assistance for graduates.

Amount
Full-cost bursary (value not publicly fixed). Covers tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and materials, accommodation or transport, and student support programmes for full-time undergraduate / higher diploma studies.
Deadline
To be announced
Renewable
Yes

Eligible Fields of Study

Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System) supports students in the following disciplines

Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical / Electronic Engineering
Architecture
Construction Management
Quantity Surveying
City and Regional Planning (Town and Regional Planning)
Property Studies
Geomatics
Transport-related disciplines and other engineering / built-environment fields deemed scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure

Eligibility Requirements

  • ✓ South African citizen
  • ✓ Must be a Western Cape resident (preference) - programme prioritises learners from rural Western Cape communities
  • ✓ Accepted/enrolled full-time at a partner Western Cape institution (UCT, Stellenbosch University, or Cape Peninsula University of Technology) in an approved field
  • ✓ Studying an approved engineering / built environment / transport discipline deemed scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure
  • ✓ Strong academic performance in mathematics and physical science / relevant subjects
  • ✓ Demonstrated financial need - strong emphasis on financially disadvantaged students, women in engineering, and persons with disabilities
  • ✓ Registered (or registering) full-time at the relevant Western Cape Higher Education Institution
  • ✓ Submit certified copies of ID, academic records, proof of institutional acceptance/enrolment, financial documentation, and a motivation letter; incomplete applications are rejected

What's Included

  • ✓ Full tuition fees
  • ✓ Prescribed textbooks and study materials
  • ✓ Accommodation or transport allowance
  • ✓ Student support / professional development programmes
  • ✓ In-service training and internship opportunities
  • ✓ Employment placement assistance for graduates

Work Commitment

No fixed work-back is publicly stated, but the programme is geared towards developing scarce engineering skills for the Western Cape and provides in-service training, internships and employment placement assistance with the Department of Infrastructure and the wider sector.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System) bursary application

  1. 1

    Apply online via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System at the official portal (https://wa-dtpw-misbursary-prod-zan.azurewebsites.net/) during the annual application window (1 April - 31 August)

  2. 2

    Create your profile and complete the online application form in full

  3. 3

    Confirm you have applied for, been accepted at, or are enrolled at a partner Western Cape institution (UCT, Stellenbosch University or CPUT) in an approved field

  4. 4

    Upload certified copies of your ID, latest academic records, proof of institutional acceptance/enrolment and financial documentation

  5. 5

    Attach a motivation letter explaining your circumstances and reasons for applying

  6. 6

    Submit before the 31 August closing date - incomplete applications are rejected

  7. 7

    Shortlisted applicants are assessed and successful candidates are notified by the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office

  8. 8

    For queries contact the Bursary Office at [email protected] or 021 483 0964

Required Documents

  • 📄 Certified copy of South African ID
  • 📄 Latest academic records / matric results / tertiary transcripts
  • 📄 Proof of application, acceptance or enrolment at UCT, Stellenbosch University or CPUT in an approved field
  • 📄 Financial documentation / proof of household income demonstrating financial need
  • 📄 Motivation letter
  • 📄 Proof of Western Cape residence (where applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Masakh'iSizwe bursary worth?
It is a full-cost bursary, so the exact rand value is not publicly fixed. It covers full tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and study materials, accommodation or a transport allowance, and student support programmes for full-time undergraduate or higher diploma studies in approved engineering and built-environment fields.
Who qualifies for the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Programme?
You must be a South African citizen, preferably a Western Cape resident (the programme prioritises learners from rural Western Cape communities), and accepted or enrolled full-time at a partner Western Cape institution - UCT, Stellenbosch University or CPUT - in an approved scarce-skill engineering, built-environment or transport discipline. There is a strong emphasis on financially disadvantaged students, women in engineering and persons with disabilities.
Which institutions and fields does the bursary cover?
The bursary funds study only at Western Cape Higher Education Institutions, namely the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University and the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. Approved fields include civil, mechanical and electrical/electronic engineering, architecture, construction management, quantity surveying, city and regional planning, property studies, geomatics and other engineering or built-environment disciplines deemed scarce and critical by the Department of Infrastructure.
When do applications open and close, and how do I apply?
Applications open annually on 1 April and close on 31 August for the following academic year (for example, the 2026 cycle closed on 31 August 2025). You apply online through the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System, and incomplete applications are rejected. For help contact [email protected] or 021 483 0964.

When do 2027 applications open?

Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 31 August 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System) before you rely on them.

Check Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System)'s official site

Need help? Contact Western Cape Government, Department of Infrastructure (administered in-house via the Masakh'iSizwe Bursary Office / online Masakh'iSizwe Bursary System):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 021 483 0964

Information verified 2026-07-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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