Department of Water & Sanitation Bursary South Africa 2025-2026

ABOUT THE COMPANY – DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION

We are pleased to inform you about Department of Water & Sanitation Bursary South Africa 2025-2026 /read full details.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) was formed in 1912, when it was initially known as the Department of Irrigation. As one of the South African government’s departments, the DWS is responsible for the water resources of the country, particularly for formulating and implementing policies within the sector.

The DWS aim to ensure that South African have access to clean water and sanitation services, as well as water resources management for ensuring sustainable economic and social development in the country.

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) have established a Learning Academy, whose aim it is to help students complete their tertiary students within the water and sanitation field, which is a scarce skills sector in the country.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER AND SANITATION BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) are inviting undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for the DWS bursary award. Students who are studying within one of these fields in the 2022 academic year, should apply for funding:
Undergraduate studies:

• Civil Engineering (BSc/ BEng/ BEng Tech/ National Diploma)
• Electrical Engineering (BSc/ BEng)
• Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current) (BEng Tech/ National Diploma)
• Mechanical Engineering (BSc/ BEng/ BEng Tech/ National Diploma)
• Hydrology (BSc)
• Geohydrology (BSc)
• Environmental Management (BSc/ National Diploma)
• Environmental Sciences (BSc)
• Environmental and Water Sciences (BSc)
• Project Management (BSc)
• Water Care (National Diploma)
• Biochemistry (National Diploma)

Postgraduate studies:

• Civil Engineering (BSc/ BEng (Hons))
• Electrical Engineering (BSc/ BEng (Hons))
• Mechanical Engineering (BSc/ BEng (Hons))
• Hydrology (BSc (Hons))
• Geohydrology (BSc (Hons))
• Environmental Management (BSc (Hons))
• Project Management (BSc (Hons))
• Environmental Sciences (BSc (Hons))
• Environmental and Water Sciences (BSc (Hons))

MORE ABOUT THE DWS BURSARY PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & SERVICE CONTRACT

Bursaries are awarded each year and renewed based on satisfactory academic performance. The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: registration fees, tuition fees, allowance for prescribed textbooks, accommodation in residence, meals and an annual personal allowance.

On completion of their studies, bursary recipients will be required to join the Water Learning Academy for up to 3 years.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted via written correspondence. Should you not receive feedback within 3 months of the application deadline, regard your application as unsuccessful.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DWS BURSARY

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying full time within one of the fields of study listed above (no other fields of study will be funded)
• You must be entering your 1st or 2nd year of study in 2022
• You must studying or intend on studying at one of the tertiary institutes listed below
• You must have a strong academic performance
• You must prove financial need
• You must NOT be in receipt of any other funding (including NSFAS, bursary, scholarship or other award)
• Students with disability should also apply
• *Preference will be given to previously disadvantaged students from poor and rural communities

Students must pursue their studies at one of the following universities:

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology
• Central University of Technology
• Durban University of Technology
• Nelson Mandela University
• North West University
• Rhodes University
• Sol Plaatje University
• Tshwane University of Technology
• University of Cape Town
• University of Fort Hare
• University of Johannesburg
• University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
• University of Limpopo
• University of Mpumalanga
• University of Pretoria
• University of Stellenbosch
• University of the Free State
• University of the Western Cape
• University of Venda
• University of Witwatersrand
• University of Zululand
• Vaal University of Technology
• Walter Sisulu University

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE DWS BURSARY

Download and complete the Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary Application Form (.pdf)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application be may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 11 final results AND Matric latest results, if currently in Matric (certified copies)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Full tertiary academic record to date, if currently at University (certified copy)
• Proof of University application/ firm offer/ provisional acceptance letter, if a new student (on institutes letterhead)
• Parents/ guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed/ SASSA grant letter)

Applications must be submitted via email to: [email protected]
(Insert the words “DWS Bursary Application – Your Full Name” in the email subject line).

CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Department of Water and Sanitation directly:
Contact Person: Ms Nobulali Mtikitiki (Bursary Coordinator)
Tel: 012 336 7149
Email: [email protected]
Please do NOT contact the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/