Department of Water & Sanitation Bursary 2026 Requirements & How To Apply

You should prepare urgently if you want to apply for the Department of Water & Sanitation bursary once the 2026 applications open. 

These bursaries provide full support for first-year students to study in critical water and sanitation-related fields. 

Students from rural, previously disadvantaged communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organisation

The Department of Water & Sanitation is a national government department responsible for planning, managing, and regulating South Africa’s water resources and sanitation services.

Their bursary scheme is administered through the DWS Learning Academy. 

It aims to build capacity in the water sector by supporting students in engineering, environmental sciences, hydrology, and related disciplines.

Fields of Study Funded

For the 2025-2026 academic year, they offer bursaries for first-year students in the following fields:

1. BSc / BEng in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering
2. BSc in Hydrology; Geohydrology; Water Project Management; Environmental Sciences; Environmental and Water Sciences
3. BSc (Honours) in Hydrology; Geohydrology; Environmental Management; Project Management; Environmental Sciences; Environmental and Water Sciences
4. National 3-year Diploma / BEng Tech in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current), and Water Care

Benefits for Recipients

If awarded a bursary from DWS, you should expect to receive:

1. Full tuition/registration fees
2. Accommodation, meals, books and stationery allowance, and a monthly stipend
3. Upon graduation, bursars are required to join the Learning Academy as graduate trainees under a fixed-term contract (up to three years) to gain workplace experience and exposure, including mentorship in line functions.

Eligibility Criteria

You must meet the following to be eligible:

1. Be a South African citizen
2. Have completed Matric (Grade 12), or currently in Matric, aiming for first year studies in the relevant fields
3. Be accepted or provisionally accepted into full-time study at a listed public institution offering one of the eligible qualifications
4. Demonstrate financial need, coming from previously disadvantaged, rural or impoverished communities
5. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply

How to Apply

1. Applications open around May to August each year.
2. Complete the official DWS Application Form, which is made available via the DWS Learning Academy portal.
3. Send your application, with all required documents, via email to: [email protected]

Required Documents

You are required to attach the following:

1. Certified copy of your South African ID document
2. Matric certificate (if completed) or latest Matric results (if still in Grade 12)
3. Proof of acceptance or provisional admission at a listed public institution for the relevant qualification
4. Parents’ or guardians’ proof of income (latest payslips or affidavit if unemployed)
5. Academic record/transcript if already studying or if applying to Honours level

Closing Date

For the 2025 academic year, applications closed 30 September 2024.

The exact closing date for 2026 has not yet been officially published at the last check. 

Be prepared and check DWS’s Learning Academy pages for updates.

Contact Details

• Email: [email protected] for submission of applications and queries.
• DWS Learning Academy via the DWS website.
• Spokesperson: Wisane Mavasa (for media / general enquiries)