Department of Public Works Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status
Applications closed Closed 30 April 2026
Provider
Department of Public Works
Field of study
Engineering, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction and Building
Academic year
2027
Last checked
September 2026

The national department's last advert closed on 30 April for the following academic year, so the 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026.

Thabo MokoenaReviewed & verified by Thabo MokoenaSenior Education EditorVerified

The national Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) manages the state’s buildings and infrastructure projects, and it funds students in the built environment professions it needs: architects, quantity surveyors, construction project managers and engineers. Bursars join the department’s candidacy programme after graduating to work towards professional registration.

About the Department of Public Works Bursary

  • Fields: architecture, landscape architecture, construction project management, quantity surveying, and civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
  • Covers tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and a monthly allowance.
  • Bursars sign a work-back agreement and join the department’s candidacy programme towards professional registration after graduating.

Public Works Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen, in Matric or with Matric.
  • Studying, or accepted, full-time in a listed field at a recognised South African institution.
  • Excellent academic results, with Mathematics and Physical Science for engineering.
  • Demonstrated financial need, and not an employee of the department.

How to apply for the Public Works Bursary

  1. Download the application form from publicworks.gov.za when the advert appears.
  2. Attach a certified ID, your academic results, the institution’s admission letter, your parents’ or guardians’ certified IDs, proof of income (payslips or an affidavit), a detailed fee breakdown, a certificate of good conduct and a motivation letter.
  3. Post the application to the Director-General, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Private Bag X65, Pretoria, 0001, for the attention of the bursary administrator, before the closing date.

Public Works Bursary closing date

30 April 2026 for 2027 (closed). Expect 30 April 2027 for 2028.

Contact details

Built environment students should also apply to the Eastern Cape Public Works bursary, the Limpopo Public Works bursary and the Masakh’iSizwe bursary, and see our architecture bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the Department of Public Works bursary close for 2027? +
The national department's last advert closed on 30 April for the following year, so the 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026. Some provincial public works departments close in October instead. Watch publicworks.gov.za and provincial sites from February 2027 for the 2028 round.
2. Which fields? +
Built environment qualifications the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure needs: architecture, landscape architecture, construction project management, quantity surveying, and civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
3. What does it cover? +
Tuition, prescribed textbooks, accommodation and a monthly allowance, with a work-back agreement to join the department's candidacy programme after graduating.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens in Matric or with Matric, studying or accepted full-time in a listed field with excellent results and financial need, who are not employees of the department.
5. How do I apply? +
Post the completed form and documents to the Director-General, Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, Private Bag X65, Pretoria, 0001, for the attention of the bursary administrator.
6. What documents are needed? +
A certified ID, academic results, the institution's admission letter, your parents' or guardians' certified IDs, proof of income, a detailed fee breakdown, a certificate of good conduct and a motivation letter.
Update note (checked September 2026): the national department’s last advert closed on 30 April for the following academic year, so the 2027 round closed on 30 April 2026. Some provincial public works departments run their own bursaries with October closing dates. Watch the department’s website from February 2027 for the 2028 round. The details below are from the last national advert.

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