KZN Department of Transport Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Applications closed Closed 15 February 2026
Provider: KZN Department of Transport
Field of study: Law, Project Management
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

The 2026 round closed on 15 February 2026, and the 2024 round closed on 24 November 2023, so timing varies from year to year.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 15 February 2026 Expect it between November 2026 and January 2027 with a closing date no later than mid-February 2027 . Latest update ↓

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport builds and maintains the province’s road network and regulates its public transport. Its external bursary funds KZN residents to qualify as civil engineers, transport economists, planners and maritime and logistics specialists, and bursars work for the department after graduating.

About the KZN Department of Transport Bursary

Fields in the 2026 round: BSc civil engineering, bachelor’s degree in maritime studies, BCom transport and logistics, BCom honours in transport economics, and a degree in urban and regional planning.
Earlier rounds also funded geographic information science, BCom law and project management, with 22 awards in 2024.
Covers tuition, meals, accommodation and prescribed textbooks where necessary.
Bursars sign a service contract to work for the department for a period equal to the funding.

KZN Transport Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen aged 18 to 35, living in KwaZulu-Natal.
In Matric or completed Matric.
Studying, or accepted, for full-time study in a listed field at a public higher education institution, preferably in KwaZulu-Natal.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply for the KZN Transport Bursary

Download the application form from kzntransport.gov.za when the advert appears.
Attach certified copies of your ID, Matric results or certificate, academic records if already studying, proof of registration or acceptance, the course curriculum and fee statement, your parents’ or guardians’ IDs or death certificates and proof of income, a monthly expenditure statement, proof of residence and a motivation letter.
Post it to the Bursary Section, Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, or hand-deliver it to Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House, 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg, before the closing date.

KZN Transport Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 15 February 2026. Expect a date between November 2026 and mid-February 2027 for the 2027 academic year.

Contact details

Nomasonto Gwananda: 033 355 8828
Nokwabelwa Ngcobo: 033 355 8899
Reshika Sing: 033 355 8771
Head office: 033 355 8600

Transport students should also apply to the national Department of Transport bursary and the eThekwini Maritime Cluster bursary, and see our civil engineering bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the KZN Department of Transport bursary close for 2027? +

The 2026 round closed on 15 February 2026 and the 2024 round on 24 November 2023, so timing varies. Expect the 2027 advert between November 2026 and January 2027 with a closing date no later than mid-February 2027.

2. Which fields? +

In the 2026 round: BSc civil engineering, maritime studies, BCom transport and logistics, BCom honours transport economics, and urban and regional planning. Earlier rounds added geographic information science, law and project management.

3. What does it cover? +

Tuition, meals, accommodation and prescribed textbooks where needed, with a service obligation to the department afterwards.

4. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens aged 18 to 35 who live in KwaZulu-Natal, are in Matric or have completed it, and are studying or accepted for full-time study in a listed field at a public institution, preferably in KZN. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

5. How do I apply? +

Post the completed form and certified documents to the Bursary Section, Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, or hand-deliver them to Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House, 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg.

6. Who do I contact? +

Nomasonto Gwananda on 033 355 8828, Nokwabelwa Ngcobo on 033 355 8899 or Reshika Sing on 033 355 8771.

Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 15 February 2026, and the 2024 round closed on 24 November 2023, so timing varies from year to year. The 2027 advert had not been published when we checked. Expect it between November 2026 and January 2027 with a closing date no later than mid-February 2027. The details below are from the last two adverts.

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:

the Bursary Section, Private Bag X9043, Pietermaritzburg, 3200, or hand-deliver to Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House, 172 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg

Student funding in numbers

2025811 011students funded by NSFAS580 000 at universities, 231 000 at TVET colleges, on a budget of R48.7 billion.

20261 026 091students approved for NSFAS funding609 403 first-year applicants qualified and 416 688 continuing students met the progression criteria, out of 893 847 applications.

2027 projectedR53.4bnbudgeted for NSFASThe allocation rises from R48.7 billion in 2025 to R51 billion in 2026 and R53.4 billion in 2027. Student numbers for 2027 are not published yet.

Figures from the Minister of Higher Education’s Budget Vote of 3 July 2025 and the NSFAS statement of 2 January 2026. NSFAS is the largest funder, not the only one – we track the rest.