Umgeni Water Postgraduate Bursary 2027: How to Apply

Written by Keagan HendricksStaff Writer (Unisa Alumnus)

Reviewed & verified by Naledi KhumaloSenior Admissions and Bursaries EditorVerified

Umgeni Water was the bulk water utility for much of KwaZulu-Natal. In 2022 it merged with Umgeni’s northern neighbour to form uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW), one of the largest water boards in the country. The utility funds students at several levels: an undergraduate bursary for engineering and science students, graduate and in-service training programmes, and, in some years, a postgraduate bursary for research relevant to the water sector.

About the Umgeni Water Postgraduate Bursary

The bursary funded Master’s and PhD research in Fifth Industrial Revolution (5IR) fields applied to water, including:

• Water infrastructure systems and advanced materials.
• Artificial intelligence, data science and blockchain.
• Drones, the internet of things and remote sensing.

The utility’s undergraduate bursary covers tuition, registration, accommodation, meals, books and stationery; the postgraduate award was expected to be similar, with the amount set in the bursary agreement.

Eligibility requirements

• South African citizen.
• A completed four-year degree in computer science, engineering or science.
• Accepted for, or registered in, a Master’s or PhD at a South African university on a topic in the fields above.
• A strong academic record.
• Preference for KwaZulu-Natal residents and applicants from designated groups; women were encouraged to apply.

How applications were made

Applications were emailed with the subject line “Umgeni Water Bursary Application” and certified copies of the applicant’s ID, full academic record and degree certificate, plus a motivation letter. Any new call will be published on the uMngeni-uThukela Water website and careers pages.

Closing date

The last postgraduate closing date was 9 June 2023. The undergraduate bursary has closed at the end of December in recent years. No 2027 postgraduate closing date has been published.

Contact details

• uMngeni-uThukela Water, graduate recruitment: graduaterecruitment@uuw.co.za
• Telephone: 033 341 1208 or 033 341 1118
• Head office: 310 Burger Street, Pietermaritzburg

Postgraduates in water science and engineering should also apply to the Water Research Commission, the NRF and the Department of Water and Sanitation, whose 2027 bursary closes on 30 September 2026. See our postgraduate bursaries and government bursaries pages.

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