Services SETA Bursary Programme
Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority)
The Services SETA Bursary Programme funds South African students pursuing NQF Level 5 or higher qualifications in services-sector fields such as business management, HR, marketing, public administration and personal care. The bursary covers tuition (full or partial) and, for unemployed students, accommodation and meals, with postgraduate students eligible for a travel and research allowance. Rather than a single permanent national portal, the bursary is channelled each cycle through partner public institutions (for example the University of Zululand and Durban University of Technology for 2026/2027), so the application route and deadline change by host institution.
- Amount
- Full or partial bursary covering tuition fees, plus accommodation and meals for unemployed students; a monthly living allowance of roughly R1,500–R3,000 applies where relevant, and Master's/PhD students may receive a travel and research allowance
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen with a valid South African ID
- ✓ Aged 18–35 (for unemployed applicants)
- ✓ Full-time study (or part-time for employed applicants) at a public tertiary institution (University, University of Technology or TVET College)
- ✓ Studying an NQF Level 5 or higher qualification in a services-sector-related field
- ✓ Minimum 50% overall academic average; continuing students must pass at least 75% of registered modules to progress
- ✓ Demonstrated financial need: household income below the SETA threshold (reported as under R600,000 per year for direct applications; partner institutions such as DUT applied a higher R1,000,000 threshold for 2026/2027)
- ✓ Proof of registration or acceptance at the host institution for the relevant academic year
What's Included
- ✓ Tuition fees (full or partial)
- ✓ Prescribed textbooks and learning materials
- ✓ Accommodation and meals (for unemployed students)
- ✓ Once-off laptop (via partner institutions such as DUT)
- ✓ Travel and research allowance (Master's and PhD students)
- ✓ Monthly living allowance of approximately R1,500–R3,000 (where applicable)
Work Commitment
No formal post-study work-back obligation is published for the student bursary; the Services SETA's broader skills-development mandate (learnerships, internships and workplace experience) aims to channel funded students into the services sector.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority) bursary application
- 1
Identify the partner public institution administering the Services SETA bursary for your study programme and the relevant academic cycle (for example the University of Zululand or Durban University of Technology for 2026/2027)
- 2
Confirm the current closing date with the host institution, as deadlines vary by institution and cycle (UniZulu's 2026/2027 programme closed 15 September 2025, while DUT's 2026/2027 programme closed 3 April 2026)
- 3
Register or secure acceptance at the host public tertiary institution in an eligible services-sector qualification at NQF Level 5 or higher
- 4
Complete the bursary application via the host institution's online portal
- 5
Attach all certified supporting documents, including ID, academic results, proof of registration/acceptance and proof of household income
- 6
Submit the application before the institution's closing date and await assessment against the SETA's eligibility and financial-need criteria
- 7
For confirmation of the current cycle, host institution and deadline, contact the Services SETA directly at [email protected]
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your South African ID
- 📄 Latest academic transcripts / results
- 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at the host public tertiary institution
- 📄 Proof of household income (payslips and/or affidavits)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies for the Services SETA Bursary?
- South African citizens with a valid SA ID who are studying (or accepted to study) an NQF Level 5 or higher qualification in a services-sector field at a public university, university of technology or TVET college. Applicants need at least a 50% overall academic average, must demonstrate financial need (household income below the SETA threshold), and unemployed applicants should be aged 18–35. Continuing students must pass at least 75% of their registered modules to remain funded.
- What does the Services SETA Bursary cover?
- It provides a full or partial bursary covering tuition fees, plus prescribed textbooks and learning materials. Unemployed students may also receive accommodation and meals, a monthly living allowance of roughly R1,500–R3,000 applies where relevant, some partner institutions (such as DUT) provide a once-off laptop, and Master's and PhD students may receive a travel and research allowance.
- How do I apply and what is the deadline?
- The bursary is administered through partner public institutions each cycle rather than via a single permanent national portal, so you apply through the host institution's online application system and the deadline varies by institution. For 2026/2027, the Services SETA / University of Zululand programme closed on 15 September 2025 and the Durban University of Technology programme closed on 3 April 2026. Always confirm the current host institution and closing date, including via [email protected].
- Why does the application website change each year?
- The Services SETA's primary role is facilitating skills development by disbursing discretionary grants to employers and accredited training providers. Its student bursary funding is delivered through partner public universities and TVET colleges, so the exact application URL and host institution change by academic cycle. Use the Services SETA contact details to confirm which institution is hosting the bursary for your intake.
When do 2027 applications open?
Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
Services SETA channels its bursary through partner public institutions each cycle, so the window depends on the host. Recent rounds closed in September (University of Zululand) and April (Durban University of Technology). As of 17 September 2026 the Services SETA announcements page lists no new bursary window.
Check Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority)'s official siteNeed help? Contact Services SETA (Services Sector Education and Training Authority):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 011 276 9600 (ext. 9644, 6163) / 011 694 8600
Information verified 2026-09-17. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
Other General bursaries
More funding opportunities in this field
Enel Green Power RSA Bursary
Enel Green Power RSA (ENGPRSA) (administered by StudyTrust)
The Enel Green Power RSA Bursary supports academically strong, financially needy South African students from communities living within roughly 50 km of Enel's wind and solar farms in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape and Western Cape. Administered by StudyTrust, it is open to all fields of study at accredited public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges, with the value set individually and full-cost support where applicable. It forms part of Enel Green Power RSA's community and socio-economic development commitments near its renewable energy sites.
View details →Investec High School Bursary Programme
Investec (administered by StudyTrust)
The Investec High School Bursary Programme funds high-achieving learners from township and rural schools for the remainder of their high school studies (Grades 10, 11 and 12). It supports learners at their existing schools rather than moving them, with a strong focus on Mathematics and Physical Science. Selection is based on both financial need and academic potential, so meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an award.
View details →ITHUBA National Lottery Bursary
ITHUBA Holdings (operator of the South African National Lottery)
The ITHUBA National Lottery Bursary funds high-performing South African students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds in commerce (accounting, finance, marketing) and IT disciplines - including a lower household-income threshold than most corporate bursaries.
View details →