The City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027 is now officially open for qualifying young people who permanently reside in Johannesburg and want to pursue full-time undergraduate studies at an accredited South African tertiary institution. The City of Johannesburg is offering 200 bursaries for the 2027 academic year, with applications closing on Friday, 30 October 2026.
Important: This listing is based on the official City of Johannesburg Bursary Circular 001/2026 published on 1 October 2026.
City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027 – Quick Details
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Bursary provider | City of Johannesburg |
| Academic year | 2027 |
| Number of bursaries | 200 |
| Target applicants | South African youth permanently residing in Johannesburg |
| Study level | Full-time undergraduate |
| Institution | Accredited South African tertiary institution |
| Postgraduate study | Not funded |
| Funding | Up to R40,000 per academic year |
| Covers | Tuition, registration fees, prescribed books and/or study material |
| Application opening | 1 October 2026 |
| Closing date | 30 October 2026 |
| Selection | Academic merit |
| Application method | Online |
The official City of Johannesburg circular confirms that 200 bursaries are available and that the bursary is limited to R40,000 per academic year.
What Does the City of Johannesburg Bursary Cover?
The bursary covers:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Prescribed books
- Study material
Funding is limited to R40,000 per academic year.
Students should therefore not assume that the bursary automatically covers accommodation, meals, transport or other living expenses, as these are not listed among the covered expenses in the 2027 official circular.
Who Can Apply for the City of Johannesburg Bursary?
The 2027 bursary is aimed at South African youth who permanently reside in Johannesburg.
Applicants must also:
- Study full-time.
- Be pursuing an undergraduate qualification.
- Study at an accredited South African tertiary institution.
- Study in one of the fields listed by the City.
- Meet the academic requirements.
- Provide the required supporting documentation.
The official circular states that selection will be strictly on academic merit.
Which Qualifications Does the City of Johannesburg Fund?
The 2027 bursary covers full-time undergraduate studies in the following fields:
Actuarial Science
Students studying Actuarial Science may apply.
Built Environment
This includes:
- Architecture
- Construction
- Urban and Regional Planning
- Quantity Surveying
Commerce
Commerce-related undergraduate qualifications are included.
Community Services
Qualifying Community Services programmes are included.
Emergency Management Services
Students pursuing Emergency Management Services may qualify.
Engineering
All Engineering fields are listed.
Health
All Health fields are listed.
Finance
The listed Finance areas include:
- Accounting
- Auditing
- Small Business Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Treasury
- Economics
- Risk and Compliance Management
Information Technology and Management
All fields within Information Technology and Management are listed.
Humanities and Social Sciences
All fields are listed.
International Relations and Protocol
International Relations and Protocol is included.
Legal Studies
Legal studies are included.
Logistics
Logistics is included.
Marketing
Marketing is included.
Municipal Governance
The programme specifically lists Monitoring and Evaluation.
Real Estate
This includes:
- Property Management
- Property Valuation
Business Management
Business Management is also included.
These fields come directly from the City’s 2027 bursary circular.
City of Johannesburg Bursary Requirements 2027
Applicants should prepare the following certified documents:
1. Most Recent Academic Record
You must provide your most recent academic results/record.
2. South African ID
A certified copy of your South African identity document is required.
3. Proof of Johannesburg Residency
Applicants must provide proof that they permanently reside in Johannesburg.
The City’s circular specifically refers to documents such as:
- Water & Lights statement
- Rates & Taxes statement
as proof of residency.
4. Parents’ Proof of Income
Applicants must provide their parents’ proof of income.
Where applicable, a death certificate must be provided.
If the student does not have one or both parents, an affidavit may be required.
Does the City of Johannesburg Bursary Fund Postgraduate Studies?
No.
The 2027 bursary is for full-time undergraduate studies and the official circular specifically states that the bursary does not apply to postgraduate qualifications.
Can the City of Johannesburg Bursary Be Renewed?
Yes.
The official circular states that the bursary is renewable annually, subject to academic performance/results.
This means students should maintain satisfactory academic performance if they want to continue receiving the bursary in subsequent years.
How Much Is the City of Johannesburg Bursary?
The City of Johannesburg bursary is worth up to:
R40,000 per academic year
The amount covers tuition and registration fees, prescribed books and/or study material.
This is the maximum stated amount, so students should not interpret R40,000 as a guaranteed cash payment to every successful applicant.
City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027 Closing Date
Friday, 30 October 2026
The official bursary circular gives 30 October 2026 as the closing date.
Don’t wait until the deadline.
Applicants should prepare their certified documents and submit their applications as early as possible.
The City states that only online applications will be considered.
How to Apply for the City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027
Applications must be submitted online.
The City directs applicants to apply through its official website and provides an online application link in the 2027 bursary circular.
Official application information:
City of Johannesburg – Job Opportunities
Online application:
City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027 Application Form
Before submitting, make sure all required documents are attached and properly certified.
City of Johannesburg Bursary Application Checklist
Before you submit your application, check:
☐ South African ID
☐ Most recent academic record
☐ Proof of permanent Johannesburg residence
☐ Water & Lights statement or Rates & Taxes statement
☐ Parents’ proof of income
☐ Death certificate where applicable
☐ Affidavit where applicable
☐ Accepted/registered for an eligible undergraduate qualification
☐ Studying full-time
☐ Qualification is at an accredited South African tertiary institution
☐ All documents certified
☐ Online application completed
☐ Application submitted before 30 October 2026
Important Things Applicants Should Know
The bursary is for Johannesburg residents
Simply studying in Johannesburg does not appear to be enough. The City states that the opportunity is for South African youth who permanently reside in Johannesburg.
You are responsible for university admission
The City specifically states that it is the student’s responsibility to seek admission to a tertiary institution.
Your qualification must be at least one year
The bursary is available for qualifications of no less than one year.
Only undergraduate studies qualify
Postgraduate qualifications are exclude.
Selection is based on academic merit
Meeting the basic requirements does not mean that an applicant is automatically awarded a bursary. The City states that selection is strictly on academic merit.
What Happens After You Apply?
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted, according to the official circular.
The City also states that if an applicant does not receive notification within six weeks after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the City of Johannesburg Bursary 2027 open?
Yes. The official 2027 bursary circular was published on 1 October 2026, with applications closing on 30 October 2026.
How much does the City of Johannesburg Bursary pay?
The bursary is limited to R40,000 per academic year.
What does the bursary cover?
It covers tuition and registration fees, prescribed books and/or study material.
Does the bursary cover accommodation?
The official 2027 circular does not list accommodation as a covered expense, so applicants should not assume that accommodation is funded.
Can postgraduate students apply?
No. The bursary is specifically for full-time undergraduate studies and excludes postgraduate qualifications.
How many bursaries are available?
The City is offering 200 bursaries for the 2027 academic year.
What is the closing date?
30 October 2026.
Can the bursary be renewed?
Yes. Renewal is subject to academic performance/results.
Do I need to live in Johannesburg?
Yes. The 2027 opportunity is for South African youth who permanently reside in Johannesburg.
NextStepZA Tip
If you live in Johannesburg and are planning to study an eligible undergraduate qualification in 2027, don’t wait until the closing date to prepare your application.
Get your academic record, certified ID, proof of Johannesburg residence and parents’ proof of income ready now, then submit your online application before 30 October 2026.
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