City of Cape Town Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 17 August 2026
Provider: City of Cape Town
Field of study: Engineering, Law, Environmental Engineering, Chartered Accountant
Study level: Undergraduate, Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2027 round closed on 17 August 2026, and successful applicants will be told by 15 January 2027.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 17 August 2026 The City advertises in July each year, so expect the 2028 round to open in July 2027 and close in mid-August 2027. Latest update ↓

The City of Cape Town runs an external bursary for residents studying the scarce skills a metro needs: engineering, accounting and auditing, data science, IT, law, environmental management and planning. It pays fees from undergraduate to doctoral level and asks graduates to work a year at the City for each year funded, giving them their first professional experience.

About the City of Cape Town Bursary

Fields: civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical and industrial engineering; accounting, auditing and internal auditing; data science and statistics; information technology and systems management; law; chemistry and environmental management; urban planning, architecture and related design fields.
Levels: undergraduate to doctoral study at accredited South African institutions.
Covers registration, examination and tuition fees.
Graduates complete a year-for-a-year service commitment at the City.

City of Cape Town Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen living in Cape Town.
In Matric or with Matric, with at least a 65% overall average.
Studying, or accepted, full-time at an accredited South African institution in a listed field.
Not funded by NSFAS or another bursary.

How to apply for the City of Cape Town Bursary

Download the application form from the careers section of capetown.gov.za when the call opens.
Attach a certified ID not older than three months, Matric results or certificate, academic transcripts or proof of registration, the institution’s statement of account, two contactable references and proof of residence.
Email everything to external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za with the subject line “City of Cape Town Bursary 2027”, or hand it in at one of the City’s six walk-in centres, before the closing date.

City of Cape Town Bursary closing date

17 August 2026 for 2027 (closed). Expect mid-August 2027 for 2028.

Contact details

HR service desk: 0860 103 089 or 021 400 3434 (option 6)
Email: external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za

Cape Town students should also apply to the Western Cape government bursaries, the Stellenbosch Municipality bursary and the Drakenstein Municipality bursary.

FAQs

1. When does the City of Cape Town bursary close? +

The 2027 round closed on 17 August 2026, with successful applicants notified by 15 January 2027. The City advertises in July each year, so expect the 2028 round to open in July 2027 and close in mid-August 2027.

2. Which fields? +

Scarce skills the City needs: civil, chemical, electrical, mechanical and industrial engineering; accounting, auditing and internal auditing; data science and statistics; information technology and systems; law; chemistry and environmental management; urban planning, architecture and related design fields, from undergraduate to doctoral level.

3. What does it cover? +

Registration, examination and tuition fees, with a year-for-a-year service commitment at the City after graduating.

4. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens living in Cape Town, in Matric or with Matric with at least a 65% average, studying full-time at an accredited South African institution in a listed field and not funded by NSFAS or another bursary.

5. How do I apply? +

Email the completed form and documents to external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za with the subject line 'City of Cape Town Bursary 2027', or hand them in at one of the City's six walk-in centres.

6. Which documents? +

A certified ID not older than three months, Matric results or certificate, academic transcripts or proof of registration, the institution's statement of account, two contactable references and proof of residence.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2027 round closed on 17 August 2026, and successful applicants will be told by 15 January 2027. The City advertises in July each year, so expect the 2028 round to open in July 2027 and close in mid-August 2027. The details below are from the 2027 advert.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

Or send your application by email:

external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za

Put City of Cape Town Bursary 2027 in the subject line.

Paper applications go to:

one of the City's six walk-in centres

About City of Cape Town

Local government (metropolitan municipality)

The City of Cape Town governs one of South Africa's largest and most economically important metros, delivering water, electricity, roads, housing, transport and other services to millions of residents. The City also runs services that help residents learn:…

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