City of Cape Town Bursaries. The City of Cape Town is offering bursaries to eligible students who live in Cape Town and want to pursue their studies at a recognised university or TVET college in South Africa. The bursary programme is designed to help students who have strong academic potential but may need financial support to continue their tertiary education.
The City of Cape Town Training and Development Department manages the bursary programme and provides financial assistance for selected study-related expenses. The opportunity is particularly useful for students studying qualifications linked to scarce skills identified by the City.
What Is the City of Cape Town Bursary?
The City of Cape Town Bursary is a financial support programme aimed at students who are residents of Cape Town and are enrolled, or planning to enrol, at approved tertiary institutions in South Africa.
Successful applicants may receive financial assistance towards several education-related costs. The bursary can cover registration fees, tuition fees and examination fees. Depending on the applicable limits, students may also receive allowances for study materials, transport and meals.
Because the programme is focused on specific skills needed by the City, applicants should carefully check whether their intended qualification or field of study is included in the scarce-skills areas advertised for the bursary.
What Does the Bursary Cover?
The City of Cape Town bursary provides support for important costs associated with tertiary education. Depending on the terms and applicable capped amounts, the financial assistance may include:
- Registration fees
- Tuition fees
- Examination fees
- Study-aid or study-material allowances
- Transport allowance
- Meal allowance
The exact amount available for additional allowances may be subject to limits set by the City. Students should therefore review the official bursary information before submitting an application.
Who Can Apply?
The bursary is intended for students who meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. One of the most important conditions is that applicants must live in Cape Town.
Applicants must also be studying, or intending to study, at an approved academic institution in South Africa. This includes universities and TVET colleges.
The programme may be suitable for both Grade 12 learners planning to enter tertiary education and students who are already enrolled in approved full-time tertiary programmes.
However, applicants should ensure that their chosen qualification falls within one of the scarce-skill fields predetermined and advertised by the City of Cape Town.
Academic Requirements
Academic performance is an important part of the selection process.
Grade 12 learners applying for the bursary are required to provide their Grade 12 or mid-year results. According to the available requirements, applicants must have achieved an average of at least 65%.
Students who are already studying at an approved tertiary institution must provide their academic transcripts. Depending on their year of study, this may include first-, second- and/or third-year academic results.
Maintaining good academic performance can therefore be important for both new and continuing students.
Important Documents Required
Applicants should prepare all required supporting documents before submitting their application. Providing complete and valid documentation can help prevent delays or problems during the assessment process.
The required documents include a certified copy of the applicant’s South African ID. The certification must not be older than three months.
Grade 12 applicants should also provide a copy of their Grade 12 or mid-year results showing the required academic performance.
Students who are already enrolled at tertiary level should provide the relevant academic transcript for the years they have completed.
Applicants should make sure that documents are clear, valid and submitted according to the instructions provided by the City of Cape Town.
Other Financial Assistance
Applicants must not be receiving another form of financial assistance for their studies. This includes financial support from programmes such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Before applying, students should carefully consider whether they already receive financial assistance from another source. Providing accurate information about existing funding is important because the bursary has specific conditions regarding other financial support.
Scarce Skills Requirement
One of the key features of the City of Cape Town bursary programme is its focus on scarce skills.
This means that not every degree, diploma or qualification will necessarily qualify for funding. The City determines and advertises specific fields of study that are considered important for its skills requirements.
Students should therefore confirm that their intended programme appears on the City’s current list of eligible scarce-skill fields before applying.
Closing Date
The closing date for the City of Cape Town Bursary 2026 has been extended to 31 August 2026.
Students who meet the requirements should submit their applications before the deadline. It is advisable not to wait until the final day, as applicants may need additional time to obtain certified documents or correct incomplete information.
How to Apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary
Interested students should follow the official application instructions provided by the City of Cape Town. Before starting the application, applicants should check the eligibility criteria, approved study fields and required supporting documents.
A typical application process involves reviewing the bursary requirements, preparing certified documentation, completing the application and submitting it through the method specified by the City.
Applicants should ensure that all information is accurate and that supporting documents are included before submitting the application.
Conclusion
The City of Cape Town Bursary 2026 provides an important opportunity for eligible Cape Town residents who need financial support for tertiary education. The programme can assist with registration, tuition and examination costs, while capped allowances may also be available for study-aid, transport and meals.
Students should pay particular attention to the academic requirements, residency condition, availability of other financial assistance and the scarce-skills requirement. Grade 12 applicants need the required results, while current tertiary students should prepare their academic transcripts.
