Correctional Services Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 14 October 2022
Provider: Correctional Services
Field of study: Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Fashion and Textile, Information Technology
Study level: TVET / college
Academic year: 2023
Last checked: September 2026

The last widely published external bursary round, for the 2023 academic year, closed on 14 October 2022, and no 2027 advert had appeared when we checked.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

No open round · the last round we could find closed on 14 October 2022 Watch the DCS website and the public service vacancy circulars from September 2026; if a round runs, expect a closing date in October or November 2026. Latest update ↓

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) runs South Africa’s prisons and community corrections, and it funds students in the professions it needs inside them: correctional officers, psychologists, social workers, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, teachers, agricultural scientists and IT specialists. Its external bursary is aimed at unemployed young people who commit to working for the department after qualifying.

About the Correctional Services Bursary

Fields: penology and correctional services, criminology, psychology, social work, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, education, agricultural science, information technology, security management, law, human resources and other scarce skills, at national diploma and degree level.
Covers tuition and related study costs at an accredited South African institution.
Bursars sign an agreement to work for the department after qualifying.

Correctional Services Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen with Matric or an NCV level 4 certificate.
Unemployed and aged 18 to 35, or a DCS employee of any age.
Studying, or accepted, at an accredited South African tertiary institution in a listed field.
Demonstrated financial need and no funding from another institution. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged.

How to apply for the Correctional Services Bursary

Download the DCS bursary application form from dcs.gov.za when the advert appears.
Attach certified copies of your ID, Matric or NCV certificate, the course curriculum, the institution’s acceptance letter, your academic records and an outline of the fees.
Hand-deliver the application to 124 WF Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, East Block, Pretoria, or post it to Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001, before the closing date. Emailed applications are not accepted.

Correctional Services Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 14 October 2022. No 2027 date has been published.

Contact details

Bursary administration: 012 305 8108
DCS head office switchboard: 012 307 2000
Website: www.dcs.gov.za

Students in these fields should also see the Correctional Services learnership, our psychology bursaries and nursing bursaries lists, and the government bursaries page.

FAQs

1. When does the Correctional Services bursary close for 2027? +

The last widely published external bursary round, for 2023, closed on 14 October 2022. No 2027 advert had appeared when we checked. Watch dcs.gov.za and DPSA vacancy circulars from September 2026; if a round runs, expect a closing date in October or November 2026.

2. Which fields? +

About 22 fields the department needs, including penology and correctional services, criminology, psychology, social work, nursing, medicine, pharmacy, education, agricultural science, information technology, security management, law and human resources, at diploma and degree level.

3. What does it cover? +

Tuition and related study costs at an accredited South African institution, with a service agreement to work for the department after qualifying.

4. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens with Matric or an NCV level 4 certificate who are unemployed and aged 18 to 35 (any age for DCS employees), studying or accepted at an accredited institution, with financial need and no other funding. Candidates with disabilities are encouraged.

5. How do I apply? +

Complete the DCS bursary application form and hand-deliver it to 124 WF Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, East Block, Pretoria, or post it to Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001. Emailed applications are not accepted.

6. What documents are needed? +

Certified copies of your ID, Matric or NCV certificate, the course curriculum, the institution's acceptance letter, your academic records and a fee outline.

Update note (checked September 2026): the last widely published external bursary round, for the 2023 academic year, closed on 14 October 2022, and no 2027 advert had appeared when we checked. Watch the DCS website and the public service vacancy circulars from September 2026; if a round runs, expect a closing date in October or November 2026. The details below are from the last published call.

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

Visit the provider’s website

Paper applications go to:

124 WF Nkomo Street, Poyntons Building, East Block, Pretoria, or post to Private Bag X136, Pretoria, 0001