City of Cape Town External Bursary Programme
The City of Cape Town runs an annual external bursary programme for Cape Town residents studying full-time towards qualifications in advertised scarce-skills fields such as engineering, accounting, IT, data science, environmental management and the built environment. The bursary covers registration, tuition and examination fees plus capped allowances for study aid, transport and meals, and can lead to year-for-a-year work experience with the City after graduation. Funding spans undergraduate through postgraduate study at accredited South African institutions, including TVET colleges.
Eligible Fields of Study
City of Cape Town (Metropolitan Municipality, administered in-house by the City's Human Resources / Skills Development department via the HR Service Desk) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen residing in Cape Town (proof of residence required)
- ✓ Registered for full-time study at an accredited South African institution, including TVET colleges
- ✓ Studying in one of the City's predetermined, advertised scarce-skills fields (undergraduate through postgraduate)
- ✓ Grade 12 applicants must have at least a 65% average (mid-year or final results)
- ✓ Current tertiary students must submit full academic transcripts (1st/2nd/3rd-year results)
- ✓ Must NOT already receive other financial aid such as NSFAS or a similar bursary (demonstrate financial need)
- ✓ Willing to commit to a year-for-a-year service period with the City after graduation
What's Included
- ✓ Payment of registration fees
- ✓ Payment of tuition/class fees
- ✓ Payment of examination fees
- ✓ Capped allowances for study aid (books/equipment)
- ✓ Capped transport allowance
- ✓ Capped meals allowance
- ✓ Potential year-for-a-year work experience with the City after graduation
Work Commitment
A year-for-a-year service commitment applies. After graduation, recipients may be required to work for the City of Cape Town for a period equal to the number of years for which they received the bursary, providing valuable public-sector work experience.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your City of Cape Town (Metropolitan Municipality, administered in-house by the City's Human Resources / Skills Development department via the HR Service Desk) bursary application
- 1
Confirm you reside in Cape Town and that your field of study is on the City's advertised scarce-skills list for the cycle (the list varies slightly each year)
- 2
Download the official application form from the City of Cape Town website, or collect it from a walk-in centre (Bellville, Brackenfell, Parow, Plumstead, Strand or the Cape Town Civic Centre)
- 3
Complete the application form in full and gather all certified supporting documents
- 4
Submit your application to the cycle-specific bursary email in the format external.bursaries<year>@capetown.gov.za (e.g. [email protected]) or as directed on the form
- 5
Submit before the published closing date - applications typically open around August/September and close in early October (the 2026 cycle closed 10 October 2025)
- 6
Contact the HR Service Desk if you need help confirming the current cycle's email address or requirements
Required Documents
- 📄 Fully completed application form
- 📄 Certified copy of ID document (not older than 3 months)
- 📄 Proof of residence in Cape Town
- 📄 Grade 12 mid-year or final results with at least a 65% average (for school-leaver applicants)
- 📄 Full academic transcripts / 1st/2nd/3rd-year results (for current tertiary students)
- 📄 Registration or provisional acceptance/enrolment letter from the institution
- 📄 Proof that you are not already receiving NSFAS or a similar bursary, where applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who qualifies for the City of Cape Town External Bursary?
- You must reside in Cape Town and be registered for full-time study at an accredited South African institution, including TVET colleges, in one of the City's advertised scarce-skills fields. Grade 12 applicants need at least a 65% average, and you must not already receive NSFAS or a similar bursary.
- When does the City of Cape Town bursary close?
- Applications typically open around August/September and close in early October. The 2026 intake cycle closed on 10 October 2025. Check the City of Cape Town website each year for the exact dates, as they shift slightly between cycles.
- How do I apply for the City of Cape Town bursary?
- Download the application form from the City of Cape Town website or collect it from a walk-in centre (Bellville, Brackenfell, Parow, Plumstead, Strand or the Cape Town Civic Centre), then submit it to the cycle-specific email in the format external.bursaries<year>@capetown.gov.za. The HR Service Desk can confirm the current address.
- Is there a work-back commitment?
- Yes. A year-for-a-year arrangement applies, meaning recipients may be required to work for the City of Cape Town for a period equal to the number of years they received bursary funding, gaining valuable public-sector experience.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 10 October 2025
Apply on City of Cape Town (Metropolitan Municipality, administered in-house by the City's Human Resources / Skills Development department via the HR Service Desk)'s official siteNeed help? Contact City of Cape Town (Metropolitan Municipality, administered in-house by the City's Human Resources / Skills Development department via the HR Service Desk):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0860 103 089 (City Call Centre, option 6)
Information verified 2026-06-22. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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