Railway Safety Regulator Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status
Applications closed Closed 23 December 2025
Provider
RSR
Field of study
Environmental Engineering, Auditing, Information Technology
Study level
Postgraduate, Undergraduate, High school
Academic year
2027
Last checked
September 2026

The 2026 round closed on 23 December 2025.

Keagan HendricksWritten by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)
Naledi KhumaloReviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified
No open round · the last round we could find closed on 23 December 2025 Expect it on the RSR opportunities portal in November or December 2026 with a closing date around the end of December 2026 . Latest update ↓

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) is the public entity that oversees the safety of South Africa’s railway operators on behalf of the Department of Transport. Its external bursary programme funds undergraduate study for members of the public in the engineering, legal, financial and management fields the rail sector needs, with preference for previously disadvantaged students.

About the Railway Safety Regulator Bursary

The bursary funds full-time undergraduate degrees and diplomas at accredited South African universities and universities of technology in:

  • Civil, electrical and mechanical engineering.
  • Financial management, internal audit and supply chain management.
  • Human resources management and risk management.
  • Information technology, law, and media and communication.

It covers tuition and related study costs for the year, renewable on academic progress.

RSR Bursary eligibility requirements

  • South African citizen aged 15 to 35.
  • In Matric or completed Matric.
  • At least a 65% average in the final Grade 11 or Matric mid-year examinations.
  • Studying, or accepted, for full-time undergraduate study in one of the listed fields at an accredited South African institution.
  • Not receiving any other bursary or sponsorship.

How to apply for the RSR Bursary

  1. Go to the RSR bursary portal at rsr.mcidirecthire.com and open the external bursary advert.
  2. Complete the online form and upload certified copies of your ID, Grade 11 and Matric results, Matric certificate if you have completed school, academic transcripts and proof of registration or admission, plus a tuition fee quotation from the institution and a motivation letter.
  3. Submit online before the closing date. Emailed applications are not accepted.

RSR Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 23 December 2025. Expect late December 2026 for 2027.

Contact details

Students interested in rail should also apply to the Transnet bursary and the PRASA bursary, and see our engineering bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the RSR bursary close for 2027? +
The 2026 round closed on 23 December 2025. Expect the 2027 round to be advertised on the RSR opportunities portal in November or December 2026 with a closing date around the end of December 2026.
2. What is the Railway Safety Regulator? +
A public entity under the Department of Transport that oversees the safety of South Africa's rail operators. Its external bursary funds members of the public, with preference for previously disadvantaged students, in fields the rail sector needs.
3. Which fields are funded? +
Undergraduate degrees and diplomas in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, financial management, human resources management, information technology, internal audit, law, media and communication, risk management and supply chain management.
4. Who qualifies? +
South African citizens aged 15 to 35, in Matric or with Matric, with at least a 65% average in the final Grade 11 or Matric mid-year exams, studying or accepted for full-time undergraduate study at an accredited South African institution and not funded by anyone else.
5. How do I apply? +
Online only, through the RSR bursary portal at rsr.mcidirecthire.com. Emailed applications are not accepted.
6. What documents are needed? +
Certified copies of your ID, Grade 11 and Matric results, Matric certificate if completed, academic transcripts and proof of registration or admission, plus a tuition fee quotation and a motivation letter.
Update note (checked September 2026): the 2026 round closed on 23 December 2025. The 2027 round had not been advertised when we checked. Expect it on the RSR opportunities portal in November or December 2026 with a closing date around the end of December 2026. The details below are from the 2026 call.

This round is not open right now. Check the provider’s own site for the next round.

Visit the provider’s website

About RSR

National public entity (rail safety regulator)

The Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) oversees the safety of South Africa's railway system on behalf of the Department of Transport. Parliament first established the RSR under the National Railway Safety Regulator Act of 2002, and its authority is…

Read the full RSR profile →

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