When does the Northern Cape Premier's Bursary open for 2027?

The Premier's Bursary Programme normally opens mid-year and closes around the end of October, with extensions announced in some years (the 2026 round was extended to 10 November 2025).

Who qualifies for the Northern Cape Premier's Bursary?

You must be a South African citizen and an unemployed young person aged 18 to 30 who resides in the Northern Cape province. You must be in Matric, have completed Matric, or already be enrolled at a Higher Education Institution, and be pursuing full-time undergraduate (first qualification) studies at an accredited South African institution. You also need a strong academic record, demonstrated financial need (combined household income of R800,000 or below), and your chosen field must align with the province's scarce, critical and hard-to-fill skills - with preference given to STEM disciplines.

How much is the bursary worth and what does it cover?

The bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees, prescribed books and accommodation. The value is awarded on a sliding scale according to combined household income: up to R120,000 per year for households earning R0-R350,000, up to R100,000 for R350,001-R550,000, and up to R80,000 for R550,001-R800,000. Note that the bursary does NOT cover any outstanding or pre-existing study debt.

How do I apply and what is the deadline?

Applications are submitted by email to BursAdmin@ncpetf.onmicrosoft.com with the subject line 'NCPG Bursary 2026' (with certified supporting documents), or hand-delivered to the Office of the Premier in Kimberley. This is an annual programme that typically opens around August to October each year. The 2026 cycle closed on 31 October 2025 (extended to 10 November 2025), with successful candidates notified by 27 February 2026. Always confirm the next intake's dates on the official Northern Cape Provincial Government website.

Is this the same as the provincial transversal bursary?

Yes. The Northern Cape Premier's Bursary Programme is also referred to as the NCPG Transversal Bursary or Provincial Transversal Bursary Programme. It is funded by the Northern Cape Provincial Government through the Office of the Premier and administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund (NCPETF).

General

Northern Cape Premier's Bursary Programme

Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier (administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund / NCPETF)

The Northern Cape Premier's Bursary Programme is a provincial government bursary that funds unemployed Northern Cape youth aged 18-30 to study full-time undergraduate qualifications at accredited South African institutions. Awards are made on a sliding scale based on combined household income, of up to R120,000 per year, and prioritise scarce, critical and hard-to-fill skills, with a preference for STEM disciplines. It is also referred to as the NCPG Transversal / Provincial Transversal Bursary and does not cover pre-existing study debt.

Amount: Awarded on a sliding scale according to combined household income: up to R120,000 per year (household income R0-R350,000), up to R100,000 (R350,001-R550,000), or up to R80,000 (R550,001-R800,000).
Deadline: 30 September 2026
Renewable: Yes

Closing in 12 days

Apply on official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier (administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund / NCPETF) supports students in the following disciplines

Scarce, critical and hard-to-fill skills fields in the public and private sector

Preference given to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) disciplines

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Unemployed youth aged 18-30
✓ Resident of the Northern Cape province
✓ In Matric / completed Matric, or already enrolled at a Higher Education Institution
✓ Pursuing full-time undergraduate / first qualification studies at an accredited South African HEI
✓ Strong academic record
✓ Demonstrated financial need (combined household income assessed, must be R800,000 or below)
✓ Field of study must align with scarce, critical and hard-to-fill positions in the province

What's Included

✓ Registration fees
✓ Tuition fees
✓ Prescribed books
✓ Accommodation

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier (administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund / NCPETF) bursary application

1
Applications for the 2027 academic year are open and close on 30 September 2026. Confirm any changes on the official Northern Cape Provincial Government website (www.northern-cape.gov.za/bursaries)
2
Gather and certify all required supporting documents, including ID, Matric results/certificate, latest academic record and proof of household income
3
Complete the official bursary application form for the relevant cycle
4
Submit the application by email to [email protected] using the subject line 'NCPG Bursary 2027', attaching certified supporting documents
5
Alternatively, hand-deliver the application to the Office of the Premier, T&I Office Building, 69 Memorial Rd, Monument Heights, Kimberley, 8301
6
Submit before the closing date of 30 September 2026 - late applications are not accepted
7
If successful, expect notification by the published date - successful candidates for the 2026 cycle were notified by 27 February 2026

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of South African ID
📄 Certified copy of Matric results or Matric certificate
📄 Certified copy of latest academic record/results (if already studying)
📄 Proof of residence in the Northern Cape province
📄 Proof of combined household income (payslips, affidavit of unemployment, or death certificate where a parent/guardian is deceased)
📄 Proof of acceptance, registration or intended enrolment at an accredited South African Higher Education Institution

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Northern Cape Premier's Bursary open for 2027?: The Premier's Bursary Programme normally opens mid-year and closes around the end of October, with extensions announced in some years (the 2026 round was extended to 10 November 2025).
Who qualifies for the Northern Cape Premier's Bursary?: You must be a South African citizen and an unemployed young person aged 18 to 30 who resides in the Northern Cape province. You must be in Matric, have completed Matric, or already be enrolled at a Higher Education Institution, and be pursuing full-time undergraduate (first qualification) studies at an accredited South African institution. You also need a strong academic record, demonstrated financial need (combined household income of R800,000 or below), and your chosen field must align with the province's scarce, critical and hard-to-fill skills - with preference given to STEM disciplines.
How much is the bursary worth and what does it cover?: The bursary covers registration fees, tuition fees, prescribed books and accommodation. The value is awarded on a sliding scale according to combined household income: up to R120,000 per year for households earning R0-R350,000, up to R100,000 for R350,001-R550,000, and up to R80,000 for R550,001-R800,000. Note that the bursary does NOT cover any outstanding or pre-existing study debt.
How do I apply and what is the deadline?: Applications are submitted by email to [email protected] with the subject line 'NCPG Bursary 2026' (with certified supporting documents), or hand-delivered to the Office of the Premier in Kimberley. This is an annual programme that typically opens around August to October each year. The 2026 cycle closed on 31 October 2025 (extended to 10 November 2025), with successful candidates notified by 27 February 2026. Always confirm the next intake's dates on the official Northern Cape Provincial Government website.
Is this the same as the provincial transversal bursary?: Yes. The Northern Cape Premier's Bursary Programme is also referred to as the NCPG Transversal Bursary or Provincial Transversal Bursary Programme. It is funded by the Northern Cape Provincial Government through the Office of the Premier and administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund (NCPETF).

Ready to apply?

Applications close on 30 September 2026

Apply on Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier (administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund / NCPETF)'s official site

Need help? Contact Northern Cape Provincial Government, Office of the Premier (administered via the Northern Cape Provincial Education Trust Fund / NCPETF):

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 053 831 3550 (enquiries); WhatsApp 065 588 7618

Information verified 2026-09-17. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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