Applications Open for the Mining Qualification Authority Bursary Programme 2026

July 28, 2025

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Bursary Description


Applications Open for the Mining Qualification Authority Bursary Programme 2026.

About the Bursary Scheme

  • 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 mineral 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.

Documents Required:

  1. Certified copy of ID document (certification not older than 3 months).
  2. Grade 12 certificate.
  3. Grade 11 results (for applicants still in high school).
  4. Academic record (where applicable).
  5. Certified copy of the mother’s ID document.
  6. Certified copy of father’s ID document.
  7. Certified copy of the guardian’s ID document (where applicable).
  8. Proof of income of mother or affidavit by mother if unemployed.
  9. Proof of income of father or affidavit by father if unemployed.
  10. Proof of income of guardian or affidavit by guardian if unemployed.
  11. Affidavit by mother if father’s whereabouts is unknown or father’s death certificate.
  12. Affidavit by father if mother’s whereabouts is unknown or mother’s death certificate.
  13. Affidavit by guardian if mother’s and/or father’s whereabouts is unknown and/or mother’s/father’s death certificate.

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.

Requirements

  • 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.

How to Apply

More information about the MQA Bursary Programme, selection criteria and rules, as well as the online application form can be obtained from the following link:

Bursary Application Link for Unemployed Learners

2. Bursary Applications for the 2026 Academic Year for persons Employedin the Mining and Mineral 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.

Documents required for employed applicants (please make sure you have the documents at hand when applying for the bursary):

  1. Certified copy of ID document (certification not older than 3 months).
  2. Grade 12 certificate.
  3. Academic record (where applicable).
  4. Letter from Employer supporting bursary application/proof of employment in the mining and mineral sector.

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.

APPLICATION LINK

More information about the MQA Bursary Programme, selection criteria and rules, as well as the online application form can be obtained from the following link:

Bursary Application Link for Employed Individuals

MQA Bursary Officials and institutions for which they are responsible: