LGSETA Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority (LGSETA) funds the skills South Africa’s municipalities need, and its bursary pays for unemployed young people to study engineering, finance, IT, planning and public administration at public universities and TVET colleges. It is one of the larger SETA bursaries, with about 230 awards in the last round.

Status for 2027 (checked September 2026): the 2026 round opened in early November 2025 and closed at midnight on 28 November 2025. The 2027 round had not opened when we checked. Expect it to open in early November 2026 and close at the end of November 2026 on the LGSETA Pulse portal. The details below are from the 2026 call.

About the LGSETA Bursary

  • Fields: civil engineering (N4 to N6), electrical engineering (degree, advanced diploma and N-levels), engineering management (Master’s), environmental health, finance and accounting, information technology and computer science, management and public administration, supply chain management and procurement, and town and regional planning.
  • Covers tuition and related study costs for one academic year; bursars reapply each year.
  • Institutions: recognised public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges.
  • About 230 awards a year, subject to funds.

LGSETA Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen or permanent resident.
  • Unemployed.
  • In Matric or completed Matric.
  • Accepted or registered for full-time study in a listed qualification at a recognised South African institution.

How to apply for the LGSETA Bursary

  1. Register on the LGSETA Pulse portal at pulse.lgseta.org.za when the call opens.
  2. Upload certified copies, not older than six months, of your ID, Matric results or certificate, current academic record if already studying, admission or registration letter, an unemployment affidavit and your parents’ or guardians’ proof of income.
  3. Submit before midnight on the closing date. Emailed and hand-delivered applications are not accepted. Shortlisted applicants are contacted within three months.

LGSETA Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 28 November 2025. Expect the end of November 2026 for 2027.

Contact details

Students in these fields should also apply to NSFAS, the FASSET bursary for finance and IT, and the municipal schemes on our government bursaries page.

FAQs

1. When does the LGSETA bursary close for 2027? +
The 2026 round opened in early November and closed at midnight on 28 November 2025. Expect the 2027 round to open in early November 2026 and close at the end of November 2026 on the LGSETA Pulse portal.
2. What is LGSETA? +
The Local Government Sector Education and Training Authority, which funds skills for municipalities. Its bursary pays for unemployed South Africans to study qualifications municipalities need.
3. Which fields? +
Civil and electrical engineering (including N4 to N6), engineering management, environmental health, finance and accounting, information technology and computer science, management and public administration, supply chain management and procurement, and town and regional planning.
4. What does it cover? +
Tuition and related study costs for one academic year at a public university, university of technology or TVET college. Bursars reapply each year. About 230 bursaries were awarded for 2026.
5. Who qualifies? +
Unemployed South African citizens or permanent residents in Matric or with Matric, accepted or registered for full-time study in a listed qualification at a recognised South African institution.
6. How do I apply? +
Online only, at pulse.lgseta.org.za, uploading certified copies (not older than six months) of your ID, Matric results, academic record, admission or registration letter, an unemployment affidavit and your parents' or guardians' proof of income. Emailed and hand-delivered applications are not accepted.

🎓 Download Our Bursary Application Checklist

Download our free Application Checklist to make sure you do not miss any required documents. Submitting a complete application is key to being shortlisted.

📥 Download Checklist (PDF)
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