SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS)
South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk
The SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) is a non-profit scheme run in-house by the South African Institution of Civil Engineering to support financially needy and academically deserving civil engineering students. It awards merit-based bursaries of up to R6 500 per student per semester to help cover registration, tuition and books, with awards renewed each semester based on examination results. Funding comes entirely from donations to the bursary pool or from patron companies awarding bursaries in their name.
- Amount
- Up to R6 500 per student per semester, awarded on merit (covers registration, tuition and books)
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African student studying at a recognised South African tertiary institution
- ✓ Financially needy and academically deserving
- ✓ Studying towards a National Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering
- ✓ National Diploma students must have passed their first level (S1) examinations
- ✓ Degree students must have passed their first year examinations
- ✓ Awards are merit-based and renewed per semester based on examination results
- ✓ Registered (or registering) at a South African university or university of technology
What's Included
- ✓ Bursary of up to R6 500 per student per semester
- ✓ Funds cover registration, tuition and books
- ✓ Awarded per semester, dependent on examination results
- ✓ Renewable each semester for continued strong academic performance
- ✓ Opportunity to be funded by a patron company through the scheme
How to Apply
Steps to complete your South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk bursary application
- 1
Visit the official SPEBS page on the SAICE website and download the SPEBS brochure and application form (PDF)
- 2
Confirm the current per-semester deadline by contacting the SPEBS desk at [email protected]
- 3
Complete the bursary application form in full
- 4
Attach certified copies of all required supporting documents, including proof that you have passed your S1 (diploma) or first-year (degree) examinations
- 5
Submit the completed application and documents to the SPEBS desk via [email protected] ahead of the per-semester closing date
- 6
If awarded, reapply or have your bursary reviewed each semester based on your latest examination results
Required Documents
- 📄 Completed SPEBS bursary application form
- 📄 Certified ID copy
- 📄 Proof of registration at a South African tertiary institution
- 📄 Latest academic results showing you have passed S1 (diploma) or first-year (degree) examinations
- 📄 Proof of household income / financial need
- 📄 Certified copy of Matric certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the SAICE SPEBS bursary pay?
- The scheme awards up to R6 500 per student per semester, paid on merit. The funds are intended to cover registration, tuition and books, and the amount is awarded each semester depending on your examination results.
- Who qualifies for the SPEBS bursary?
- It supports financially needy and academically deserving students studying towards a National Diploma or Degree in Civil Engineering at a South African tertiary institution. National Diploma students must have passed their first level (S1) examinations and degree students must have passed their first year examinations.
- Is the SPEBS bursary renewable?
- Yes. Bursaries are granted per semester and renewed based on your examination results, so you need to keep performing academically for the award to continue.
- When is the SPEBS application deadline and how do I apply?
- There is no fixed annual closing date published on the official SAICE page — bursaries are granted per semester and tied to passing your S1 (diploma) or first-year (degree) examinations. Download the application form from the SPEBS brochure on the SAICE website and contact the SPEBS desk at [email protected] to confirm the current per-semester deadline.
When do 2027 applications open?
South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
The last recorded window closed on 31 January 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk before you rely on them.
Check South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk's official siteNeed help? Contact South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) — administered in-house via the SAICE Patrons' Engineering Bursary Scheme (SPEBS) desk:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 011 805 5947 (fax: 011 805 5971)
Information verified 2026-01-31. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other Engineering bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
PPC Bursary Scheme
PPC Ltd (administered by CareerWise)
The PPC Bursary Scheme is a full bursary from JSE-listed cement and lime producer PPC Ltd for South African students pursuing full-time undergraduate engineering, geology and science degrees. It covers tuition, accommodation, meals and study-related expenses, and offers mentorship plus potential employment with PPC after graduation. The scheme runs as two streams - a community bursary and an employee-children bursary - and is administered externally by CareerWise.
View details →AECOM Engineering & Quantity Surveying Bursary
AECOM
AECOM's bursary supports South African undergraduates in civil, mechanical and electrical engineering and quantity surveying, with funding up to R100,000 per year, a laptop, and a guaranteed work-back at AECOM after graduation.
View details →Anglo American Bursary Programme
Anglo American (bursaries offered by its South African business units, mainly Kumba Iron Ore; applications administered by Career Wise)
Anglo American funds South African students in mining-related engineering degrees through bursaries offered by its business units. Since Anglo American Platinum became Valterra Platinum and the thermal coal business became Thungela, its South African bursary adverts have come mainly from Kumba Iron Ore in the Northern Cape. The bursary is awarded a year at a time and can cover tuition, accommodation, meals, books and paid vacation work, in return for a work-back commitment.
View details →