Rheinmetall Denel Munition Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Key facts

Status: Runs each year Last closed 30 September 2026
Provider: RDM
Field of study: Engineering, Chemical Engineering
Study level: Postgraduate
Academic year: 2027
Last checked: September 2026

RDM has closed past bursary rounds in October; the 2024 intake closed on 27 October 2023.

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Closed · applications closed on 30 September 2026 RDM's 2027 Engineering Graduate Programme closes on 30 September 2026, and the bursary is usually advertised on the Rheinmetall careers portal around the same time. Latest update ↓

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) is a joint venture between the German defence group Rheinmetall and Denel. It manufactures ammunition, propellants and explosives at plants in Somerset West, Wellington, Boskop near Potchefstroom and Boksburg, and funds senior engineering students as a pipeline into its graduate programme.

About the Rheinmetall Denel Munition Bursary

The bursary funds the final years of a Bachelor of Engineering degree in:

Chemical engineering.
Civil engineering.
Electrical and electronic engineering.
Mechanical and mechatronic engineering.

It covers tuition and related study costs, with vacation work at RDM’s plants. After graduating, bursars may be offered a place on the RDM Engineering Graduate Programme. RDM has also offered postgraduate bursaries for Master’s research in chemistry and engineering in some years.

RDM Bursary eligibility requirements

South African citizen with Matric.
Studying full-time for a BEng in one of the fields above at an accredited South African institution.
Entering third or fourth year.
An overall average of at least 75% in the current year of study.
Willing to do vacation work and to join RDM after graduating.

How to apply for the RDM Bursary

Search the Rheinmetall careers portal for the RDM bursary advert and its reference number.
Register, complete the online application and upload: a certified ID not older than three months; your Matric certificate; your full academic transcripts; a CV; and a cover letter.
Submit before the closing date. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed at the nearest RDM plant.

RDM Bursary closing date

The last confirmed closing date was 27 October 2023. Expect the 2027 round to close in September or October 2026; confirm on the careers portal.

Contact details

Careers contact: rheinmetall.com/en/career/career-contact (quote the bursary reference)
RDM head office, Somerset West: 021 850 2911

Senior engineering students should also apply to the PSG bursary (closing 20 December 2026) and the funders on our chemical engineering bursaries list.

FAQs

1. When does the RDM bursary close for 2027? +

RDM has closed past rounds in October (27 October 2023 for the 2024 intake). The 2027 bursary call had not been published when we checked; RDM's 2027 engineering graduate programme closes on 30 September 2026, and the bursary is usually advertised around the same time on the Rheinmetall careers portal.

2. Who qualifies? +

South African citizens studying full-time for a BEng in chemical, civil, electrical, electronic, mechanical or mechatronic engineering at an accredited South African institution, entering third or fourth year, with an overall average of at least 75% in the current year.

3. What does it cover? +

Tuition and related study costs for the final years of the degree, with vacation work at RDM's plants and the possibility of a place on the RDM Engineering Graduate Programme after graduation.

4. How do I apply? +

Online through the Rheinmetall recruitment platform under the bursary reference on the advert (ZA00786 for the last round), uploading a certified ID not older than three months, your Matric certificate, full academic transcripts, a CV and a cover letter.

5. What is RDM? +

Rheinmetall Denel Munition, a joint venture between Germany's Rheinmetall and Denel, which manufactures ammunition and propellants at Somerset West, Wellington, Boskop and Boksburg.

6. Does RDM fund postgraduates? +

It has in the past offered postgraduate bursaries for Master's research in chemistry and engineering; check the careers portal for current calls.

Update note (checked September 2026): RDM has closed past bursary rounds in October; the 2024 intake closed on 27 October 2023. The 2027 bursary call had not been published when we checked. RDM’s 2027 Engineering Graduate Programme closes on 30 September 2026, and the bursary is usually advertised on the Rheinmetall careers portal around the same time. The details below are from the last published advert.

Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.

Apply on the provider’s website

About RDM

Private company (ammunition manufacturing, Rheinmetall and Denel joint venture)

Rheinmetall Denel Munition (Pty) Ltd (RDM) develops, designs and manufactures large- and medium-calibre ammunition, and describes itself as a world leader in artillery, mortar and infantry systems and in munitions plant engineering. Rheinmetall Waffe Munition of Germany owns…

Read the full RDM profile →