SETA Bursaries to Study in China

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Two SETA-funded schemes have sent unemployed South African matriculants to study full qualifications in China. The ETDP SETA’s Chinese Bursary Programme took Limpopo applicants through the provincial Office of the Premier. The Local Government SETA (LGSETA) and the Insurance SETA (INSETA) funded a separate intake with the Chinese Culture and International Education Exchange Centre (CCIEEC). Neither scheme is open now. Each ran a short application window of about ten days, advertised only weeks before it opened, so this page sets out what the last rounds required so that you can act quickly when the next call appears.

These are not the Chinese Government Scholarships that Beijing offers directly, and they are not the SETAs’ ordinary bursaries for study at South African universities.

ETDP SETA Chinese Bursary Programme for Limpopo youth

The Limpopo Office of the Premier advertised this programme in Director General Circular No. 61 of 2025, signed on 10 October 2025. Applications closed at 23:59 on 20 October 2025, and successful candidates were due to start four-year bachelor’s degrees in February 2026. The circular offered three degrees, each with a reference number that applicants had to quote:

• Bachelor of Engineering in Data Science and Big Data Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics
• Bachelor of Engineering in New Energy Power Generation Engineering Technology

Students were placed at Jiangsu University, Sanda University or Mianyang University. The programme paid full tuition, accommodation, meals, a stipend and international flights. It also provided pre-departure training in Mandarin and Chinese culture, and academic and psychosocial support for all four years.

Who the Limpopo round accepted

Applicants had to be South African citizens living in Limpopo, aged 30 or younger, unemployed and not studying, with no criminal record. They needed Grade 12 from 2022 or later, with at least 60% in both Mathematics and Physical Science and an overall average of 60% or more. Preference went to social grant recipients, who had to attach a confirmation letter from SASSA.

Applications went through the province’s eRecruitment system. Applicants created a profile and uploaded everything as one file: a motivation letter of no more than two pages quoting the degree reference number, a certified Grade 12 certificate, the statement of results, a certified ID and proof of residence no older than three months. Only shortlisted candidates were contacted. The Office of the Premier listed Salome Mokgaphane (Mokgaphanes@premier.limpopo.gov.za, 069 354 0965) and Eastern Nemalili (Nemalilie@premier.limpopo.gov.za, 066 487 1499) for enquiries.

LGSETA and INSETA vocational places with the CCIEEC

The LGSETA’s 2024/25 advert offered 540 places at Chinese vocational colleges and universities. The LGSETA funded 400 bursaries and INSETA 100. The window ran from 08:00 on 5 March 2025 to 23:59 on 15 March 2025, and the advert said it would not be extended. That advert is still the latest one on the LGSETA’s International Scholarships page, which also links a second-window application form. The page gives no dates for another round.

The intake was for South African citizens aged 18 to 25 who finished matric before 2024 and were unemployed when they applied. Applicants also needed a clean criminal record and had to be medically fit to travel. China’s entry rules required negative HIV, TB and syphilis results, checked at a medical before departure. Entry marks depended on the course:

The scholarship covered tuition, annual return flights, shared accommodation, an allowance, the visa application, study-related transport inside China and hospital insurance. Students paid for their own passport, police clearance certificate, medical examination and any other costs. Applicants completed the online bursary form, chose two study options and uploaded a certified ID, a certified matric certificate and proof of residence. Email and hand-delivered applications were refused. Applicants who heard nothing within three months were told to treat themselves as unsuccessful. The advert sent enquiries to the CCIEEC at applications@chineseculturecentre.co.za.

Watching for the next China call

Both calls gave applicants about ten days, so prepare certified copies of your ID and matric certificate early and keep proof of residence current. The ETDP SETA website was offline for maintenance when we checked in September 2026. For the SETAs’ local funding, see our ETDP SETA bursary page and the LGSETA profile. Limpopo residents can also check Limpopo government bursaries. Our Chinese Government Scholarship page covers the separate scholarship that China offers directly.

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