Tharisa Bursary
The Tharisa Bursary is a comprehensive, full-cost bursary for academically strong South African students pursuing engineering and related technical fields linked to the mining industry, run by PGM and chrome producer Tharisa Minerals from its Marikana operation in North West Province. It covers tuition, accommodation, prescribed textbooks and a monthly allowance, and adds vacation work at the mine plus a one-year graduate internship after qualifying. The programme is administered in-house by Tharisa Human Resources / Talent Resourcing through the company's online recruitment portal, and is a recurring annual award.
Eligible Fields of Study
Tharisa Minerals (Tharisa plc; PGM and chrome producer based at Marikana, North West Province; administered in-house by Tharisa Human Resources / Talent Resourcing via the company's recruitment portal) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Completed Matric (National Senior Certificate)
- ✓ Minimum 60% for Mathematics in Matric
- ✓ Minimum 60% for Physical Science in Matric
- ✓ Enrolled in, or accepted at, an accredited South African tertiary institution for an undergraduate qualification in one of the supported disciplines, with proof of registration or acceptance
- ✓ Demonstrated financial need (parental / guardian income proof required)
- ✓ Not in receipt of any other bursary or sponsorship
- ✓ Preference given to applicants from Tharisa's local community and labour-sending areas in North West Province
What's Included
- ✓ Full tuition fees
- ✓ Accommodation
- ✓ Prescribed textbooks
- ✓ Monthly allowance (from the first semester of 2026)
- ✓ Paid vacation work at the Tharisa mine during the academic breaks
- ✓ Guaranteed one-year graduate internship at Tharisa after qualifying
- ✓ Exposure to a working PGM and chrome mining operation and a pipeline into the industry
Work Commitment
Recipients must take part in vacation work at the Tharisa mine during academic breaks and complete a minimum one-year graduate internship at Tharisa after completing their qualification.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Tharisa Minerals (Tharisa plc; PGM and chrome producer based at Marikana, North West Province; administered in-house by Tharisa Human Resources / Talent Resourcing via the company's recruitment portal) bursary application
- 1
Confirm the current bursary cycle is open on the official Tharisa careers / recruitment portal (the 2026-intake cycle closed on 18 February 2026; the programme re-advertises annually)
- 2
Locate the Tharisa Bursary advert using reference number THMB006RM
- 3
Register / log in to the Tharisa online recruitment portal and complete the application form
- 4
Upload your CV in the 'CV' field and your supporting documents (certified ID, proof of registration/acceptance, Matric certificate, academic record, income proof) in the relevant document field
- 5
Submit before the advertised closing date — late applications are not accepted
- 6
Wait to be contacted if shortlisted; only shortlisted candidates are typically notified
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your SA ID
- 📄 Recent head-and-shoulders photograph
- 📄 Matric certificate (or latest results if still in Matric)
- 📄 Full academic record / latest results
- 📄 Proof of acceptance or registration at the tertiary institution
- 📄 Curriculum vitae (CV)
- 📄 Proof of parental / guardian income (for financial-need assessment)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply for the Tharisa Bursary?
- South African citizens who have completed Matric with at least 60% in both Mathematics and Physical Science, and who are studying or have been accepted to study an eligible undergraduate qualification (engineering, geology or analytical chemistry) at an accredited South African institution. Applicants must not already hold another bursary or sponsorship, and preference is given to candidates from Tharisa's local community and labour-sending areas in North West Province.
- What does the Tharisa Bursary cover?
- It is a full-cost bursary covering tuition fees, accommodation, prescribed textbooks and a monthly allowance. It also includes paid vacation work at the Tharisa mine during academic breaks and a guaranteed one-year graduate internship at Tharisa after you qualify.
- Is there a work-back or internship obligation?
- Yes. Bursars are required to participate in vacation work at the mine during academic breaks and to complete a minimum one-year graduate internship at Tharisa once they have completed their qualification.
- When does the Tharisa Bursary close and how do I apply?
- The 2026-intake cycle closed on 18 February 2026; the bursary re-advertises annually, so confirm the current dates on the official Tharisa recruitment portal. Apply online via the portal under reference number THMB006RM, uploading your CV and supporting documents (certified ID, Matric certificate, academic record, proof of registration/acceptance and income proof) before the closing date.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 18 February 2026
Need help? Contact Tharisa Minerals (Tharisa plc; PGM and chrome producer based at Marikana, North West Province; administered in-house by Tharisa Human Resources / Talent Resourcing via the company's recruitment portal):
Phone: +27 11 996 3500
Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other Engineering bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
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 →Amatola Water Bursary
Amatola Water (Eastern Cape bulk water services board, head office East London; administered in-house by the Human Resources / Skills Development office)
The Amatola Water Bursary supports financially needy South African students pursuing engineering degrees at institutions in the Eastern Cape, with priority given to youth from the province. As a state-owned bulk water board serving the Eastern Cape, Amatola Water offers the bursary under the National Skills Development Plan 2030 to build energy- and water-sector engineering skills, with preference to increasing the participation of women and black people. The award covers registration, tuition, prescribed books, accommodation and a meal allowance, though the rand value is not publicly disclosed.
View details →Anglo American Bursary Programme
Anglo American
Comprehensive engineering bursary programme offering full financial support and guaranteed career opportunities with one of the world's leading mining companies.
View details →