APLY FOR MQA BURSARY FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

The MQA Bursary Scheme was established to increase the number of students taking careers in the mining and minerals sector.

Today the bursary scheme continues to assist students by offering them the opportunity to study these careers at Higher Education Institutions (HEI) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

The MQA bursary is available to students that have enrolled with universities, TVET colleges, and universities of technology.

The bursary scheme covers full tuition and registration fees; residence fees or private accommodation allowance; books and meals; allowance per bursar per semester, where applicable.

 

 

BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 FUNDING OPEN ON 22 JUNE 2025 FOR:

1. UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS
2. PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE MINING AND MINERALS SECTOR

1. BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS

The MQA would like to invite learners who are presently in grade 12 or are already studying at a public university, university of technology or a TVET college to apply for a MQA bursary for the 2026 academic year of study.

A total of 430 bursary opportunities will be available for the 2026 academic year.

The bursary will cover tuition fees, allowances for accommodation, books and meals.

NB: The bursary is ONLY available to South African citizens.

The MQA bursary scheme focuses on funding the following qualifications at universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges as indicated hereunder.

Qualifications funded at universities and universities of technology:

1. Metallurgical Engineering
2. Analytical Chemistry
3. Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
4. Electro-Mechanical Engineering
5. Geology
6. Industrial Engineering
7. Mining Engineering
8. Occupational Health and Safety
9. Mechanical Engineering
10. Occupational Hygiene
11. Mine Surveying
12. Occupational Medicine
13. Electrical Engineering
14. Operations Management
15. Chemical Engineering
16. Quality Management
17. Environmental Health and Management
18. Environmental Science

 

 

Qualifications funded at TVET colleges:

1. Boilermaker
2. Fitting (including Machinery)
3. Motor Mechanic (Diesel)
4. Instrumentation Mechanic
5. Electrician
6. Millwright
7. Fitter and Turner
8. Rigger Ropesman
9. Plumber
10. Carpenter and Joiner
11. Welder
12. Pipe Fitter
13. Mechatronics
14. Mechanic including automotive mechanic
15. Mechanical Fitter
16. Bricklayer

However, the MQA may allocate 20% of the total bursary allocations for qualifications which are not listed above, which the MQA may deem as qualifications necessary for the mining and minerals sector.

Preference will be given to the following aspects in the selection of candidates:

• Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI).
• Financially needy applicants – with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per annum – household income will be verified by MQA, and misrepresentation of household income will disqualify the application.
• Female applicants.
• Applicants with a disability;
• Applicants living in rural communities.
• Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
• Candidates with a strong academic record.
• Candidate who are studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list.

 

 

APPLICATION WINDOW

The application window will open from 22 June 2025 and close on 31 July 2025.

To qualify for the bursary, the applicant must be unemployed at the time of the application and remain unemployed for the duration of his/her studies.

Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.

If you have not received any communication from MQA by 1 October 2025, then consider your application as being unsuccessful.

 

 

BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE MINING AND MINERALS SECTOR

The MQA would like to invite persons who are CURRENTLY employed within the mining and minerals sector and who would like to pursue studies for a qualification relevant to the mining sector to apply for a MQA bursary for the 2026 academic year of study.

A total of 70 bursary opportunities for employed bursars will be available for the 2026 academic year and for those that commenced with their studies in the second semester of 2025 academic year. The bursary will cover tuition and allowances for books ONLY.

The bursary is not available to applicants presently on an MQA funded Internship Programme or a Work Experience (P1/P2) Programme as this may be considered as “double dipping”.

NB: The bursary is ONLY available to South African citizens only.

Preference will be given to the following aspects in the selection of candidates:

• Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI).
• Female applicants.
• Applicants with a disability.
• Applicants living in rural communities.
• Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
• Candidates with a strong academic record.
• Candidate who are studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list.

 

 

APPLICATION WINDOW

The application window will open from 22 June 2025 and close on 31 July 2025.

Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.

If you have not received any communication from MQA by 1 October 2025, then please consider your application as being unsuccessful.

 

 

MQA Bursary Officials and institutions for which they are responsible:

The following MQA persons can be contacted for queries or assistance with applications for the specific institutions:

Mr Diiteleni Tshisevhe:

• University of Limpopo
• University of Venda
• Sefako Makgatho Health Science University
• Sol Plaatjie University
• Sekhukhune TVET College
• Vhembe TVET College
• Mopani TVET College
• Capricorn TVET College
• Lephalale TVET College
• Ekurhuleni West TVET College
• Ekurhuleni East TVET College
• South West Gauteng TVET College
• Vuselela TVET College
• Orbit TVET College
• Northern Cape Rural TVET College
• Northern Cape Urban TVET College
• Central Johannesburg TVET College
• Tshwane South TVET College
• Tshwane North TVET College
• Letaba TVET College
• Taletso TVET College
• Western TVET College
• Waterberg TVET College

Tel: 011 547 5705, DiiteleniT@mqa.org.za

 

 

Ms Jenny Kekana:

• Univesity of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Nkangala TVET College
• University of Johannesburg
• University of Mpumalanga
• Ehlanzeni TVET College

Tel: 011 547 2654, JennyK@mqa.org.za

Mr Tebogo Thankge:

• University of the Western Cape
• University of Cape Town
• Stellenbosch University
• University of Fort Hare
• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela University
• North West University
• University of Pretoria
• Rhodes University
• Walter Sisulu University
• King Dalindyebo TVET College
• Buffalo City TVET College

Tel: 011 547 2755, TebogoT@mqa.org.za

Mr Vutomi Chauke:

• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of South Africa (UNISA)
• University of Zululand
• Durban University of Technology
• Mangosuthu University of Technology
• University of KwaZulu Natal
• Majuba TVET College
• Gert Sibande TVET College
• University of the Free State
• Motheo TVET College
• Goldfields TVET College
• Flavius Mareka TVET College
• Central University of Technology
• Vaal University of Technology
• Sedibeng TVET College

 

Tel: 011 547 2625, VutomiC@mqa.org.za

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THIS BURSARY SCHEME