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.

Who is eligible?

The bursary is available to deserving South African Citizens as follows:

1. Unemployed Bursaries:

The unemployed bursary is available to learners who are presently in grade 12 or already studying at a public university, university of technology, or TVET college (Nated courses: N4 to N6 and NCV qualifications) who are hereby invited to apply for an MQA bursary  for the 2025 academic year of study.

1.1. Selection criteria for unemployed bursary applicants:

• Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (White males under the age of 35 years will be considered).
• 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 living in rural communities.
• Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
• Candidates with a strong academic record.
• People with disabilities.

NB: Special consideration will also be given to applicants from the following provinces: Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, North-West Province, and Kwa Zulu Natal

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

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

2. Employed individuals:

The bursary for employed persons is available to applicants who are re PRESENTLY employed within the mining and minerals sector, who would like to pursue studies for a qualification relevant to the mining related sector,

The employed persons’ bursary will cover tuition fees and allowances for books. Funding for international study tours, conferences and seminars will not be considered.

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”.

2.1 Selection Criteria for employed bursary applicants:

• Historically Disadvantage Individuals (White males under the age of 35 years will also be considered).
• Applicants should be from MQA levy-paying or levy-exempted employers.
• People with disabilities.

3. Qualifications

For both the unemployed and employed persons’ bursaries will support the qualifications at universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges as indicated hereunder. However, the MQA may allocate 20% of the total bursary allocations for the 2025 academic year for qualifications which are not listed hereunder, which the MQA may deem as qualifications necessary for the mining and minerals sector.

3.1. 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

3.2. 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

4. Application Process:

Applications for the 2025 academic year has been re-opened from Wednesday, 25 September 2024 until Tuesday, 08 October 2024.

Successful candidates will be advised of the outcome of their application by 30 November 2024.

Applicants who have not received official communication from the MQA regarding their bursary application by the afore-mentioned date must consider their application as not being successful.

• Bursary Application Guidelines
• Click here to be directed to the 2025 online bursary application.

5. 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, [email protected]

Ms Felicitus Lebetha:

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

Tel: 011 547 2672, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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