MQA Bursary 2027, Requirements & Application

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is the Sector Education and Training Authority for mining and minerals. It funds hundreds of students every year through discretionary-grant bursaries, both for unemployed learners entering mining-related studies and for mine employees upgrading their qualifications, at universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges.

About the MQA Bursary

The 2026 round offered 430 bursaries for unemployed learners and 70 for employed mine workers.

• University and university of technology: mining, metallurgical and electrical engineering, mine surveying, geology, analytical chemistry, and occupational health and safety.
• TVET colleges: N4 to N6 and NCV qualifications in electrical work, welding, boilermaking, fitting, diesel and motor mechanics and related artisan trades.

Unemployed bursars receive tuition plus accommodation, book and meal allowances. Employed bursars receive tuition and a book allowance.

MQA Bursary eligibility requirements

Unemployed learners:

• South African citizen, in Matric or with Matric, with Mathematics and Physical Science for the technical fields.
• Studying, or accepted, for a mining-related qualification at a public South African institution.
• Unemployed, and remaining unemployed throughout the studies.
• Household income of no more than R600 000 a year.

Employed learners must be South African citizens working in the mining and minerals sector, studying a relevant qualification at a public institution, and not already on an MQA-funded internship or work experience programme.

How to apply for the MQA Bursary

1. Check the current call on the MQA adverts page.
2. Apply online through the MQA bursary system at sims.mqa.org.za.
3. Upload certified copies of: your ID; your Grade 11 or Matric mid-year or final results; proof of acceptance from the institution if available; your academic record if already studying; your parents’ or guardians’ IDs; and proof of household income (payslips, an affidavit, a SASSA letter or a death certificate).
4. Submit before the closing date. The MQA does not accept applications through file-sharing links or any email address other than the one on the advert.

MQA Bursary closing date

Reported as 22 September 2026 for the 2027 university round; the TVET round is usually advertised in October. Confirm on the MQA adverts page.

Contact details

• Email: bursaries@mqa.org.za
• Telephone: 011 547 2600 (MQA head office, Johannesburg)
• Website: www.mqa.org.za

Mining students should also apply to the producers on our mining engineering bursaries list and to the other SETAs on our government bursaries page.

FAQs

About MQA

Sector Education and Training Authority (mining and minerals)

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) coordinates skills development and training for South Africa's mining and minerals sector. The MQA pays for learnerships, bursaries and skills programmes, and the MQA's stated goal is a safe and skilled mining workforce.…

Read the full MQA profile →