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For students staring down the cost of tertiary education, a City of Cape Town-funded opportunity could make a big difference.
Applications for its 2026 external bursaries close on 31 August 2026. The bursaries are open to Cape Town residents planning to study in fields identified as scarce skills, with priority given to qualifications that align with the City’s future workforce needs.
The programme is designed to help learners and unemployed young people gain qualifications in areas where skilled professionals are in demand. And this isn’t a case of covering a university bill and waving goodbye.
What’s all covered
The bursaries cover registration, tuition and examination fees, along with capped allowances for study materials, transport and meals.
Students can also receive practical training support from the relevant City department while they study, as well as a mentor within that department.
That practical element is a major drawcard. The CoCT says that previous bursary recipients have gone on to secure skills development opportunities and permanent municipal positions after completing their studies.
“We consider each application we receive diligently and are so encouraged by the inspiring students we can provide financial assistance to each year, many of whom have secured skills development training opportunities or permanent positions within the municipality after completing their studies,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Corporate Services, Alderman Theresa Uys.
Those interested in applying can download an application form from the City’s website, or collect one from the nearest public library or walk-in centres.
Scarce-skills field
The range of possible career paths is broad. The CoCT’s scarce-skills fields include:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Construction management
- Urban design
- Landscaping
- Planning, architecture
- Supply chain management
- Science
- Renewable energy
- Public health
- Project management
- Pharmacy
- Nursing
- Medicine
- Library sciences
- Law
- Information technology
- Psychology
- Graphic design
- Environmental management
The City’s wider career information also lists areas such as civil, chemical and electrical engineering, data science, GIS, surveying, environmental science, forensic services and renewable energy.
How to apply
Ready to give it a shot? Applications close on 31 August 2026, so this is not the moment to leave the paperwork languishing in your downloads folder.
The CoCT’s official bursary application is available online, while application forms can also be collected from City libraries and walk-in centres.
Completed forms and supporting documents can be submitted electronically to external.bursaries@capetown.gov.za or delivered to a City walk-in centre.
The City also maintains information on other financial-support opportunities available through government and other organisations.
Don’t miss these other bursary deadlines
The City’s 31 August 2026 deadline isn’t the only date prospective students should have circled. Anyone planning for the 2027 academic year should keep an eye on university-specific funding windows too.
At the University of Cape Town (UCT), deadlines vary depending on the funding stream and level of study.
The UCT Postgraduate Financial Aid Bursary closes on 10 November 2026, while sports scholarships close on 30 September 2026.
Undergraduate financial aid through NSFAS follows the national application cycle, so students should check the latest requirements and closing date rather than assume the university deadlines apply across the board.
Over at Stellenbosch University, the SU Funding Opportunities (SUFO) deadline for current undergraduate students is 30 September 2026.
Prospective undergraduate students have until 30 November 2026. Faculty-specific, postgraduate and privately funded bursaries can have their own deadlines, so it pays to check the fine print before hitting submit.
Those applying for NSFAS financial aid should take note that the closing date for the 2026 TVET College Trimester 3 application window is 23 August 2026. Applications for this cycle open on Friday, 14 August 2026.
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