South African learners and university students who want to build careers in mining, engineering, geology, metallurgy and related technical fields can now apply for the Harmony Gold Mining Company Bursary Programme for 2027.
Harmony has officially opened its 2027 bursary intake, offering full-time bursaries to qualifying South African students entering tertiary education as well as students who are already studying at accredited tertiary institutions.
The opportunity is particularly relevant to young people interested in careers such as mining engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, geology, mine surveying and metallurgy.
Harmony states that its bursary scheme is intended to recruit and select bursars, preferably from communities surrounding its mining operations, for full-time study at accredited tertiary institutions.
Applications for the 2027 Harmony Gold Bursary Programme close on 9 October 2026.
Before applying, students can use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to research the careers and SAQA qualifications associated with mining, engineering, geology and metallurgy. Students deciding where to study can also explore programmes and admission requirements through the Edupstairs University Explorer.
Quick Overview: Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027
| Detail | Information |
| Bursary Provider | Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited |
| Programme | Harmony Bursary Scheme |
| Academic Year | 2027 |
| Opportunity Type | Full-time bursary |
| Target Applicants | Grade 12 learners and current tertiary students |
| Age Requirement | 18–35 years |
| Citizenship | South African citizens |
| Study Mode | Full-time |
| Main Fields | Mining, Engineering, Geology, Survey and Planning, Metallurgy and other approved disciplines |
| General Academic Requirement | 60% and above |
| Engineering Mathematics & Physical Science | Minimum 70% |
| Application Method | Complete Harmony’s prescribed application form and submit it with supporting documents |
| Closing Date | 9 October 2026 |
About the Harmony Gold Bursary Scheme
Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited operates a bursary programme as part of its education and skills-development initiatives.
According to Harmony, the company offers full-time bursaries to communities in and around its mining operations.
Harmony explains that its annual bursary allocation is structured approximately as follows:
- 60% – core and critical disciplines;
- 30% – non-core but mining-related disciplines; and
- 10% – other disciplines.
The actual fields supported can vary from year to year according to Harmony’s business requirements.
This is important for applicants to understand. The Harmony bursary is not simply a general university funding programme. It forms part of the company’s longer-term skills and talent-development pipeline.
Harmony also operates graduate development, internship and work-experience programmes, creating potential pathways from education into workplace development.
Fields of Study for the Harmony Bursary 2027
Harmony’s official 2027 bursary application form asks applicants to indicate the discipline in which they want to study and specifically lists the following fields:
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Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current Only
Students interested in electrical systems associated with mining operations can consider Electrical Engineering, specifically Heavy Current.
Electrical engineering plays an important role in mines, processing plants and other industrial environments where electrical power systems, machinery, motors, distribution infrastructure and control systems must operate safely and reliably.
Applicants considering this route can search for electrical engineering careers and qualifications through the Career & Qualification Explorer.
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Mechanical Engineering
Harmony also lists Mechanical Engineering.
Mining operations depend heavily on mechanical infrastructure, including machinery, pumps, conveyors, ventilation systems, processing equipment and other industrial assets.
Mechanical engineers can therefore work across mine operations, maintenance, engineering projects and mineral-processing environments.
Use the Career & Qualification Explorer to investigate Mechanical Engineering qualifications and related occupations.
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Mining Engineering
Mining Engineering is one of the core disciplines specifically identified on the Harmony 2027 bursary application form.
Mining engineers can become involved in areas such as:
- mine design;
- mine planning;
- production;
- mineral extraction;
- underground or surface mining operations;
- safety and productivity;
- rock-related mining systems; and
- operational management.
Students interested in entering the mining sector should research the full pathway from university qualification to professional and workplace requirements rather than selecting a degree based only on its title.
Start with the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer and then use the University Explorer to investigate institutions and programmes.
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Geology
Harmony also identifies Geology as a bursary discipline.
Geologists are particularly important in the mining industry because understanding geological formations, mineral deposits and ore bodies forms part of mineral exploration and mining.
A student considering geology should investigate both the qualification and the occupations that may follow from it.
The Career & Qualification Explorer can help applicants investigate current SAQA qualification records, NQF levels and possible career connections.
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Survey and Planning
The application form includes Survey and Planning.
Mine surveying is a specialised field involving measurements, spatial information, mapping and other technical information required to plan and manage mining activities.
Applicants interested in this field should carefully investigate the specific qualification they intend studying and its relationship to the occupation they eventually want to enter.
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Extractive Metallurgy
Harmony also identifies Extractive Metallurgy.
Extractive metallurgy focuses on processes used to recover valuable metals and minerals from ores and other materials.
Within the mining industry, metallurgical professionals can work in mineral processing, extraction, production, process optimisation and related technical environments.
Applicants can investigate metallurgy and mineral-processing pathways through the Career & Qualification Explorer.
Other Fields
The Harmony application form also provides an “Other” option.
Harmony’s broader bursary policy indicates that bursaries may be awarded in core, non-core mining-related and other disciplines according to annual business requirements.
Applicants studying another discipline should therefore not assume that they are automatically eligible or ineligible. Check the official 2027 information and provide the exact field of study on the application form.
Who Can Apply for the Harmony Gold Bursary 2027?
According to Harmony’s official information, applicants must meet several requirements.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
South African Citizenship
Applicants must have a valid South African identity document and be South African citizens.
Matric Academic Requirements
Applicants must have a National Senior Certificate and should have passed their subjects with 60% or above.
The official 2027 application form indicates a general minimum of Rating Level 5 / 60% for Mathematics, Science and English.
Engineering Applicants
Students intending to study engineering face a higher Mathematics and Physical Science requirement.
Harmony requires at least:
- 70% Mathematics; and
- 70% Physical Science
for engineering studies.
This corresponds to Rating Level 6.
Applicants considering Engineering should also check the admission requirements of the university concerned. Meeting Harmony’s bursary requirements does not automatically mean that you meet a university’s programme-specific admission requirements.
Use the University Explorer to research South African university programmes, APS requirements, required school subjects and application information.
Requirements for Current University Students
Harmony’s bursary programme is not restricted to learners entering university for the first time.
Students who are already studying at a tertiary institution may also apply.
Harmony states that existing tertiary students must have obtained an average of at least 60% in their major subjects.
The application form asks university students to provide information including:
- institution;
- current year of study;
- expected year of study in 2027;
- field and course of study; and
- student number.
Students must also attach their academic record.
Full-Time Study Requirement
Applicants must be studying, or intending to study, on a full-time basis.
Harmony describes the objective of the scheme as recruiting bursars for full-time study at accredited tertiary institutions.
Applicants should therefore verify that their institution and qualification satisfy the conditions of the bursary before submitting an application.
Preference for Communities Around Harmony Operations
There is an important geographical consideration.
Harmony states that the objective of its bursary scheme is to recruit and select bursars preferably from communities surrounding its operations.
Harmony’s South African mining activities include operations in mining regions in the Free State, Gauteng and North West.
This does not mean applicants should invent a connection to a Harmony community. Your residential information must be truthful and supported by the required proof of address.
Applicants With Disabilities
Harmony’s 2027 application form specifically states that applications from people with disabilities are welcome.
The company also notes that selection may be subject to the physical demands of the occupation associated with the qualification.
Applicants should disclose information accurately where the application form requires it.
Documents Required for the Harmony Bursary Application
Do not submit only the application form.
Harmony’s official 2027 bursary documentation requires supporting information that may include:
- certified copy of your South African identity document;
- certified proof of academic results;
- Grade 11 December results for relevant Grade 12 applicants;
- Grade 12 mid-term or preliminary results;
- complete academic transcript if already studying at an accredited tertiary institution;
- brief CV/resume of no more than three pages;
- proof of residential address; and
- registration or acceptance letter from the tertiary institution.
Applicants should prepare these documents before completing the final submission.
Incomplete or unclear supporting documents can unnecessarily complicate an otherwise strong application.
How to Apply for the Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027
Applications are not simply completed through a generic online job application.
Harmony has provided an official six-page Harmony Bursary 2027 application form.
Step 1: Visit the Official Harmony Student Opportunities Page
Go to the official Harmony Opportunities for Students page.
Look for:
Our 2027 bursary intake is open
and download the official application form.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Harmony instructs applicants to complete the application form thoroughly.
The company specifically instructs applicants to complete it in block letters using black ink.
Take your time with sections dealing with:
- personal details;
- parent or guardian information;
- education;
- intended discipline;
- university information;
- existing funding or sponsorship;
- employment history;
- motivation for your chosen course;
- leadership activities;
- extracurricular activities; and
- declaration.
Step 3: Attach the Required Documents
Check your application against Harmony’s supporting-document requirements before submitting it.
Do not assume that sending your CV and results without the prescribed application form constitutes an application.
Step 4: Submit the Application
Completed applications and the required supporting documents must be submitted to: Bursaryscheme@harmony.co.za
Applicants can also obtain official information and the current application form through the Harmony Gold Opportunities for Students page.
Harmony Bursary Closing Date
The closing date for the 2027 intake is: 9 October 2026
Harmony states that late applications will not be considered.
Applicants should therefore avoid waiting until 9 October to begin gathering certified documents, academic records, proof of address and university documentation.
What Happens After You Apply?
Harmony’s application form states that correspondence will be limited to shortlisted applicants.
It further advises applicants that if they have not received correspondence within 21 days, they should regard their application as unsuccessful.
Keep the application and supporting documents you submitted for your own records.
Explore Mining Qualifications and Careers Before Applying
A bursary application should form part of a broader career plan.
Someone applying for Mining Engineering, for example, should understand what a mining engineer actually does, which qualifications lead towards the occupation and what further professional or workplace requirements may eventually apply.
The Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer brings together South African OFO careers and thousands of SAQA qualification records.
You can use it to investigate:
career → qualification → NQF level → possible study pathway
before committing to a particular course.
This is particularly useful for applicants considering:
- Mining Engineering;
- Electrical Engineering;
- Mechanical Engineering;
- Geology;
- Metallurgy;
- Mine Surveying;
- Mineral Processing; and
- related technical occupations.
Find a University for Your 2027 Studies
Students still deciding where to study can use the Edupstairs University Explorer.
The Explorer brings together South African universities and information that can help prospective students investigate:
- university programmes;
- APS requirements;
- required subjects;
- programme information;
- 2027 applications;
- funding information; and
- official university resources.
Remember: University application and bursary application are two different processes.
Applying for the Harmony bursary does not constitute an application for admission to a university.
What About TVET College Students?
Harmony’s principal bursary disciplines listed in the 2027 form are strongly aligned with higher-education mining and engineering pathways.
Students interested in vocational and artisan routes into mining should not, however, ignore the broader training ecosystem.
The Edupstairs TVET College Explorer covers all 50 public TVET Colleges in South Africa, including programmes, campuses, admission guidance, application resources and NSFAS information.
This is especially useful for students exploring technical pathways such as electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and related trades.
However, inclusion of the TVET College Explorer here is career guidance and should not be interpreted as confirmation that every TVET programme qualifies for the Harmony 2027 bursary.
Applicants must follow Harmony’s official eligibility rules.
Explore Mining Programmes Through the SETA System
Students interested in mining should also understand the role of the Mining Qualifications Authority.
The Edupstairs SETA Platform brings together all 21 South African SETAs, including the Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).
The MQA sector covers mining, minerals, mineral processing, metallurgy, engineering trades, mine health and safety, geology and related areas.
Through the SETA system, young people may encounter pathways including:
- learnerships;
- apprenticeships;
- artisan development;
- skills programmes;
- occupational qualifications;
- workplace training;
- Work Integrated Learning; and
- bursary or funding programmes.
Read the Edupstairs guide to the 21 SETAs in South Africa and their learnerships, bursaries, apprenticeships and skills programmes if you are not yet familiar with the SETA system.
Latest Bursaries to Consider on Edupstairs
Do not depend on one bursary application.
Students interested in mining and engineering should also investigate the recently published Samancor Chrome Bursary Programme 2027, which covers fields including Mining Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Geology, Mine Surveying, Rock Engineering, Safety Management and Environmental Management.
Students from qualifying beneficiary communities can investigate the SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme 2027, which provides support towards post-matric studies for eligible applicants from specified communities.
Another newly published opportunity is the Free State Provincial Government Bursary Programme 2027.
Students interested in agriculture, veterinary science and related careers can investigate the Limpopo Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Bursary Programme 2027.
Applicants considering environmental science, engineering, geology-related environmental work, GIS, conservation and sustainability can also read about the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Bursary Programme 2027.
For broader public higher-education funding, read the NSFAS Applications for 2027 University and TVET College Funding Guide.
Applying for several legitimate funding opportunities for which you genuinely qualify can reduce the risk of depending entirely on one bursary outcome.
Tools you may find useful:
- Money Finder
- SETA Platform
- RDP / BNG Housing Eligibility Checker
- SASSA Grant Eligibility Checker
- SAPS / Metro / Traffic / DCS Eligibility Checker
- Youth Employment Eligibility Checker
- SA Bursary & NSFAS Eligibility Checker
- UIF Benefits Eligibility Checker and Payment Estimator
View Other Employment Opportunities here
Need Help?
Edupstairs Advice
Treat the Harmony application as more than a form-filling exercise.
First, make sure you genuinely understand the career connected to your chosen qualification. A learner choosing Mining Engineering simply because a mining company offers funding may later discover that the profession is very different from what they expected.
Use the Career & Qualification Explorer first.
Second, do not confuse the 60% general academic threshold with the requirements for Engineering. Harmony requires Engineering applicants to have at least 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science.
Third, apply to universities separately. A bursary cannot fund a university place that you have not secured.
Fourth, prepare your supporting documents early. Certified ID copies, academic results, transcripts, proof of address and acceptance or registration documentation can take time to obtain.
Finally, apply for more than one legitimate bursary. Funding applications are competitive, and submitting a Harmony application should not prevent you from investigating other funding opportunities for which you qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is the Harmony Gold Bursary Programme open for 2027?
Yes. Harmony’s official Opportunities for Students page confirms that its 2027 bursary intake is open.
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When do Harmony bursary applications close?
Applications close on 9 October 2026.
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What fields does Harmony fund?
Harmony’s official 2027 application form specifically lists:
- Electrical Engineering – Heavy Current only;
- Mechanical Engineering;
- Mining Engineering;
- Geology;
- Survey and Planning;
- Extractive Metallurgy; and
- Other.
Harmony states that the exact combination of core, mining-related and other funded disciplines can vary according to business requirements.
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What marks do I need?
Harmony generally requires applicants to have achieved 60% or above.
Engineering applicants need at least 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science.
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Can current university students apply?
Yes. The scheme accommodates students entering tertiary education and students already enrolled. Current tertiary students are expected to have an average of at least 60% in their major subjects.
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What age must I be?
Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
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Do I need to be a South African citizen?
Yes. Applicants must be South African citizens with a valid South African identity document.
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Can people with disabilities apply?
Yes. Harmony’s 2027 application documentation welcomes applications from people with disabilities, while noting that selection may take account of the physical demands associated with the relevant occupation.
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How do I apply?
Download and complete Harmony’s prescribed bursary application form from the official Harmony Opportunities for Students page, attach the required supporting documents and submit the application according to Harmony’s instructions.
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Where must I send the application?
Completed applications and supporting documents must be emailed to: Bursaryscheme@harmony.co.za
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Does applying for the bursary automatically apply me to university?
No. Your university admission application and Harmony bursary application are separate processes.
Use the University Explorer to investigate university options and admission requirements.
You can also:
- View latest Internships
- View latest Learnerships
- View Latest Bursaries
- View latest Government jobs
- View latest Company Vacancies
- View latest Municipality vacancies
- Visit the Edupstairs blog for daily updates
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No names collected. This helps future applicants understand real-world timelines.
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Disclaimer
Edupstairs is not Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and does not administer, shortlist applicants for, select beneficiaries for or award Harmony bursaries.
This article is an opportunity explainer based primarily on Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited’s official 2027 Bursary Application Form and current Opportunities for Students information, together with additional Edupstairs career, qualification, university, TVET College, SETA and bursary research.
Applicants should use Harmony’s official documentation as the final authority regarding eligibility, supported disciplines, required documents, application procedures, selection criteria and deadlines.
Never pay anyone who claims they can guarantee you a Harmony bursary, university admission, internship or job.
Editorial Integrity
Edupstairs reviewed Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited’s current Opportunities for Students page and the official six-page Harmony Bursary 2027 application form.
The age requirements, citizenship requirements, academic thresholds, Engineering requirements, listed study disciplines, supporting documents, application instructions, submission email and closing date in this article are based on Harmony’s official information.
Links to the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer, University Explorer, TVET College Explorer, SETA Platform, NSFAS guide and recently published bursaries are additional independently researched resources intended to help applicants understand their broader education, career and funding options.
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