For thousands of young people across Gauteng, the cost of studying remains the single biggest barrier between talent and opportunity. With tuition fees, accommodation, transport, books, and data costs continuing to rise, bursaries are no longer a “nice-to-have”, they are a lifeline. As the 2026 academic year approaches, dozens of bursaries across multiple fields of study remain open or are opening soon. These opportunities cut across government departments, private companies, foundations, and sector education bodies, offering funding to students from diverse backgrounds and career paths.
Whether you want to study education, engineering, media, tourism, social sciences, public administration, or health, there is funding available, but timing, preparation, and awareness are critical.
As one education funding advisor recently noted, “Many students miss out on bursaries not because they don’t qualify, but because they don’t apply on time or don’t know where to look.”
This guide breaks down key bursary categories for 2026, explains who they are for, and shows how Gauteng students can position themselves to succeed.
ALSO READ: Why NSFAS Applications Get Rejected — And How Gauteng Students Can Still Appeal in 2026
General Bursaries Open Across Multiple Fields
If you are unsure about your exact career path or studying in a field that doesn’t neatly fit into a single category, general bursaries are a strong starting point.
These bursaries typically support multiple qualifications, including diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, and are offered by foundations, corporates,and public entities.
Some of the most notable general bursaries for 2026 include:
- Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary
- National Treasury Bursary
- NYDA African Scholars Fund
- Nedbank Bursary
- Tomorrow Trust Bursary
- Hollywood Foundation Bursary
Many of these prioritise Gauteng residents, students from low-income households, and those studying in scarce-skills areas.
Hospitality, Tourism and Cheffing
Gauteng’s tourism, hospitality, and events economy continues to grow from hotels and conference centres to culinary institutions and destination marketing.
Bursaries in this sector support careers such as:
- Chefs and culinary professionals
- Hospitality managers
- Event coordinators
- Tourism officers
Popular funding options include:
- SA Chefs Bill Gallagher Study Assistance Fund
- Tourvest Bursary
- Department of Tourism Bursary
- FEDHASA Cape Bursary
These bursaries often favour students studying Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, Tourism or Consumer Science, and may include work-back agreements after graduation.
Education and Teaching
With teacher shortages affecting schools across Gauteng and South Africa, education bursaries remain among the most accessible and impactful.
The Funza Lushaka Bursary continues to be one of the most significant funding programmes, covering:
- Tuition
- Accommodation
- Learning materials
It prioritises teaching subjects such as Mathematics, Science and African Languages.
Other education-focused bursaries include:
As one education official explained, “Every funded teaching student is an investment in the future of our schooling system.”
Media, Journalism, and Communications Funding
From newsrooms and radio stations to digital content and PR agencies, Gauteng remains the country’s media hub — and bursaries in this sector reflect that demand.
Students pursuing journalism, communications, film, public relations or media studies can apply for:
- Canon Collins Mail & Guardian Scholarship
- Boston Media House & YFM Scholarship
- eMedia Bursary
- Instinctif Partners Bursary
These bursaries often look beyond marks, valuing storytelling ability, creativity and social awareness.
Engineering, IT and Scarce Skills
Engineering, IT and construction remain priority sectors for national development — and they receive substantial bursary funding.
Key options include:
- Eskom Bursary
- Transnet Bursary
- Anglo American Bursary
- Sasol and CSIR Bursaries
- WeThinkCode and Google-linked Scholarships
Students in Gauteng studying civil engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, data science and built environment qualifications are especially well-placed.
Government Bursaries by Province — Gauteng in Focus
Provincial governments play a major role in funding higher education, especially for students willing to work in public service after graduating.
For Gauteng students, notable options include:
- City of Johannesburg Bursary
- Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport Bursary
- Gauteng Department of Health Bursary
- Gauteng Film Commission Bursary
These bursaries often prioritise:
- Gauteng residency
- Scarce-skills degrees
- Commitment to public service
What Students Should Do Next
With so many bursaries available, the biggest mistake is waiting too long.
Here’s how to act now:
- Identify your field of study and shortlist bursaries linked to it
- Check closing dates carefully — some close earlier than expected
- Prepare documents in advance, including academic records and proof of residence
- Apply to multiple bursaries, not just one
- Follow up and track applications
As funding advisors often remind students, “A bursary application is not a once-off event — it’s a strategy.”
Funding Is Still Available, But You Must Act
For students across Gauteng, 2026 is not too late. Funding is still on the table, across industries that shape the province’s economy, culture, and future workforce.
Whether your dream is to teach, code, report, manage events, serve communities or build infrastructure, there is a bursary aligned to that path.
Your next step:
Explore verified bursary listings, confirm eligibility and apply early. Education funding doesn’t reward hesitation — it rewards preparation.
Because the future of Gauteng doesn’t just need graduates, it needs supported ones.
