Which fields does the Vaal Central Water bursary cover?

The bursary funds engineering and water-sector disciplines, including civil, mechanical, chemical and environmental engineering, as well as environmental science, hydrology, water management, water treatment and waste management, and information technology / cyber security, at accredited South African institutions.

Who is eligible for the Vaal Central Water bursary?

You must be a South African citizen, typically aged 18 to 25, in Grade 12 or having completed Matric (NSC) with at least 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science and meeting the minimum APS for your chosen field. You must study full-time towards a water or environmental qualification, demonstrate financial need, and not already hold another bursary. Preference is given to female students, students with disabilities and applicants from VCW fence-line communities in the Free State and Northern Cape.

How do I apply for the Vaal Central Water bursary?

Applications are submitted online through the Vaal Central Water recruitment portal at vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr. Create a candidate profile, complete the bursary application form, upload your certified ID, latest results, proof of registration and academic records, and submit before the closing date.

When does the Vaal Central Water bursary close, and is there a work-back?

The programme runs annually. The 2026 cycle has closed, with the deadline extended to 6 February 2026; the 2027 round is expected to open around late 2026, so verify current dates on the official portal. Successful applicants accept a two-year work-back obligation with Vaal Central Water after graduating.

Engineering Vaal Central Water (Schedule 3B national water board headquartered in Bloemfontein, successor to the former Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water boards; administered in-house by the Training & Development / Human Resources department via the vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr recruitment portal)

Vaal Central Water Bursary Programme

The Vaal Central Water Bursary Programme is a full-cost bursary funding South African students in engineering and water-sector disciplines such as civil, mechanical, chemical and environmental engineering, hydrology, environmental science, water management and IT/cyber security. As a Schedule 3B national water board serving the Free State and Northern Cape, Vaal Central Water awards roughly 20 bursaries each year covering tuition, textbooks, accommodation and a living allowance. Recipients commit to a two-year work-back obligation, with preference given to female students, students with disabilities and applicants from VCW fence-line communities.

Amount:

Full-cost bursary (approximately 20 awards for the 2026 academic year) covering tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and a living allowance; specific monetary value not published. Renewable annually subject to academic performance.

Deadline:

6 February 2026

Renewable:

Yes

Applications closed

Check back next cycle

Apply on Vaal Central Water (Schedule 3B national water board headquartered in Bloemfontein, successor to the former Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water boards; administered in-house by the Training & Development / Human Resources department via the vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr recruitment portal)'s site

Eligible Fields of Study

Vaal Central Water (Schedule 3B national water board headquartered in Bloemfontein, successor to the former Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water boards; administered in-house by the Training & Development / Human Resources department via the vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr recruitment portal) supports students in the following disciplines

Civil Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Environmental Engineering

Environmental Science

Hydrology

Water Management

Water Treatment and Waste Management

Information Technology / Cyber Security

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Typically aged 18 to 25
✓ In Grade 12 / completed Matric (NSC)
✓ Minimum 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science
✓ Meets the minimum APS for the chosen field: Engineering 32-36, Hydrology / Cyber Security 30-34, Environmental Science 28-32, Water Management 26-30
✓ Studying or intending to study full-time at an accredited / recognised South African institution towards a water or environmental-sector qualification
✓ Demonstrated financial need; must not be a recipient of any other financial aid or bursary
✓ Willing to accept a two-year work-back obligation with Vaal Central Water after graduation
✓ Preference given to female students, students with disabilities and students from VCW fence-line communities in the Free State and Northern Cape

What's Included

✓ Full tuition fees
✓ Prescribed textbooks
✓ Accommodation / residence costs
✓ Living allowance
✓ Two-year work-back placement with Vaal Central Water after graduation
✓ Opportunity to build a career within South Africa's water sector

Work Commitment

Recipients are bound by a two-year work-back obligation, requiring them to work for Vaal Central Water for two years after completing their qualification.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Vaal Central Water (Schedule 3B national water board headquartered in Bloemfontein, successor to the former Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water boards; administered in-house by the Training & Development / Human Resources department via the vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr recruitment portal) bursary application

1
Visit the Vaal Central Water recruitment portal at vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr and find the open bursary vacancy
2
Create a candidate profile / account on the Simplify.HR portal
3
Complete the online bursary application form, selecting your chosen field of study
4
Upload all required supporting documents (certified ID, Matric / latest results, proof of registration or acceptance, and academic records)
5
Submit the application online before the closing date (the 2026 cycle closed with the deadline extended to 6 February 2026)
6
Wait for shortlisting and selection by the Training & Development / Human Resources department
7
If selected, sign the bursary agreement, including the two-year work-back obligation

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of South African ID
📄 Certified copy of latest Grade 12 / Matric (NSC) results or final certificate
📄 Latest tertiary academic record / transcript (if already studying)
📄 Proof of acceptance or registration at an accredited South African institution
📄 Proof of household income or financial need (where requested)
📄 Curriculum vitae (CV)

Frequently Asked Questions

Which fields does the Vaal Central Water bursary cover?: The bursary funds engineering and water-sector disciplines, including civil, mechanical, chemical and environmental engineering, as well as environmental science, hydrology, water management, water treatment and waste management, and information technology / cyber security, at accredited South African institutions.
Who is eligible for the Vaal Central Water bursary?: You must be a South African citizen, typically aged 18 to 25, in Grade 12 or having completed Matric (NSC) with at least 60% for Mathematics and Physical Science and meeting the minimum APS for your chosen field. You must study full-time towards a water or environmental qualification, demonstrate financial need, and not already hold another bursary. Preference is given to female students, students with disabilities and applicants from VCW fence-line communities in the Free State and Northern Cape.
How do I apply for the Vaal Central Water bursary?: Applications are submitted online through the Vaal Central Water recruitment portal at vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr. Create a candidate profile, complete the bursary application form, upload your certified ID, latest results, proof of registration and academic records, and submit before the closing date.
When does the Vaal Central Water bursary close, and is there a work-back?: The programme runs annually. The 2026 cycle has closed, with the deadline extended to 6 February 2026; the 2027 round is expected to open around late 2026, so verify current dates on the official portal. Successful applicants accept a two-year work-back obligation with Vaal Central Water after graduating.

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 6 February 2026

Need help? Contact Vaal Central Water (Schedule 3B national water board headquartered in Bloemfontein, successor to the former Bloem Water and Sedibeng Water boards; administered in-house by the Training & Development / Human Resources department via the vaalcentralwater.simplify.hr recruitment portal):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 051 403 0800

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

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