Key facts
- Status
- Applications closed Closed 3 February 2026
- Provider
- Department of Transport
- Study level
- Postgraduate, Undergraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
UNISA has published the 2027 Department of Transport bursary call on its student funding pages without a fixed closing date; the 2026 round closed on 3 February 2026.
VerifiedClosed · applications closed on 3 February 2026 Latest update ↓
The national Department of Transport funds a bursary for UNISA students in transport economics, logistics and civil engineering, run through UNISA’s student funding directorate. It is aimed at unemployed young South Africans who study by distance learning, and it pays tuition and textbooks rather than living costs.
About the Department of Transport Bursary
- Undergraduate: BCom Transport Economics, BCom Logistics, and diplomas and advanced diplomas in civil engineering.
- Postgraduate: honours degrees, postgraduate diplomas and master’s or doctoral degrees in transport-related fields.
- Covers tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and library services, with stipends and negotiated research costs for postgraduates. Failed or repeated modules and existing debt are excluded.
- Studied at UNISA only.
Department of Transport Bursary eligibility requirements
- South African citizen under 35, currently unemployed and not self-employed.
- Registered at UNISA for a listed qualification (NQF level 6 to 10).
- At least 60% in the previous academic year; returning bursars must have passed at least half their funded modules.
- Household income of no more than R600 000 a year.
- No criminal record.
How to apply for the Department of Transport Bursary
- Download the application form from the Department of Transport bursary page on unisa.ac.za (Student Affairs, student funding, undergraduate bursaries).
- Combine the form, a recently certified ID, proof of residence, proof of UNISA registration, your academic record, a Senior Certificate copy and your parents’ or guardians’ proof of income into a single PDF.
- Email it from your myLife account to mutavl@unisa.ac.za with your student number and “DOT BURSARY APPLICATION” in the subject line.
Department of Transport Bursary closing date
No fixed date is published for 2027. The 2026 round closed on 3 February 2026; apply before the end of January 2027.
Contact details
- UNISA student funding: mutavl@unisa.ac.za
- Department of Transport: www.transport.gov.za, 012 309 3000
Transport students should also look at the TETA bursary, the SANRAL bursary and the PRASA bursary.
FAQs
1. When does the Department of Transport bursary close for 2027? +
UNISA has published the 2027 call without a fixed closing date on its page; the 2026 round closed on 3 February 2026. Apply as soon as you have registered provisionally for 2027 and before the end of January 2027.
2. What is the Department of Transport bursary? +
A bursary the national Department of Transport funds for UNISA students in transport-related qualifications, run by UNISA's student funding directorate.
3. Which qualifications? +
BCom Transport Economics, BCom Logistics and civil engineering diplomas at undergraduate level, and honours degrees, postgraduate diplomas and master's or doctoral degrees in transport-related fields.
4. What does it cover? +
Tuition fees, prescribed textbooks and library services, with stipends and negotiated research costs for postgraduates. Failed or repeated modules and old debt are excluded.
5. Who qualifies? +
Unemployed South African citizens under 35 registered at UNISA for a listed qualification, with at least 60% in the previous year (returning bursars must have passed at least half their funded modules), a household income of no more than R600 000 a year and no criminal record.
6. How do I apply? +
Send one PDF containing the form and all documents from your myLife email to mutavl@unisa.ac.za with your student number and 'DOT BURSARY APPLICATION' in the subject line.
Update note (checked September 2026): UNISA has published the 2027 Department of Transport bursary call on its student funding pages without a fixed closing date; the 2026 round closed on 3 February 2026. Apply as soon as you have provisionally registered for 2027 and before the end of January 2027.
This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.
Visit the provider’s websiteOr send your application by email:
mutavl@unisa.ac.za