Magalies Water Bursary Programme 2027: Applications Open for Engineering, Water Care, Science and ICT Students

South African students planning to study towards qualifications in engineering, water care, science, biotechnology, microbiology and information and communication technology (ICT) in 2027 have a new funding opportunity to consider.

Check if you Qualify for this Bursary Before you Apply

Magalies Water has opened its External Bursary Opportunity for the 2027 academic year, targeting young South Africans between the ages of 18 and 35 who are eligible to study at an accredited and registered South African institution of higher learning.

The bursary supports qualifications closely connected to South Africa’s water, engineering, scientific and technical skills needs.

Applications close on 23 October 2026.

The 2027 opportunity follows Magalies Water’s previous bursary intake. Edupstairs also published the Magalies Water Bursary Programme for 2026, making this a useful opportunity for students who may have missed the previous funding round.

Magalies Water Bursary 2027 Quick Overview

Applicants should submit well before the deadline rather than waiting until 23 October.

Fields of Study Funded by the Magalies Water Bursary

According to the 2027 bursary advertisement, Magalies Water is looking for students in the following fields:

1. Mechanical Engineering – 2 bursaries

Applicants may be studying towards:

• N4–N6 Mechanical Engineering
• Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (NQF Level 6)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Students considering this field can also use the Edupstairs Career & Qualification Explorer to understand where their studies could lead. For example, the Mechanical Engineering Technologist career guide explains the occupation and links it with approved South African qualification pathways. Edupstairs also has information on the Mechanical Engineering Technician career pathway.

2. Electrical Engineering – 2 bursaries

Funding is available for:

• N4–N6 Electrical Engineering
• Diploma in Electrical Engineering (NQF Level 6)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

This is particularly relevant to students considering careers in electricity infrastructure, plant operations, maintenance, energy systems and related technical environments.

3. Civil Engineering – 2 bursaries

The bursary advertisement includes:

• N4–N6 Civil Engineering
• Diploma in Civil Engineering (NQF Level 6)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering

Civil engineering skills are important across water infrastructure, pipelines, reservoirs, treatment facilities, construction and other major infrastructure projects.

4. Water Care – 2 bursaries

Students can apply if pursuing:

• Diploma in Water Care (NQF Level 6)
• Advanced Diploma in Water Care

Water Care is particularly relevant to the core business of a water-sector organisation such as Magalies Water.

Students interested in this sector should also explore the Edupstairs EWSETA Qualification Catalogue. EWSETA covers energy and water services, including water treatment, water-resource management, sanitation and process control. Edupstairs currently lists 32 occupational qualification records in its EWSETA qualification catalogue.

One example is the Occupational Certificate: Industrial Water Process Controller at NQF Level 5, which is associated with industrial water process control and is listed in the Edupstairs EWSETA catalogue.

5. Chemistry / Analytical Chemistry – 2 bursaries

Applicants studying towards the following can be considered:

• Diploma in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry (NQF Level 6)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry

Chemistry is particularly important within the water sector because laboratories and water-treatment operations depend on chemical analysis, monitoring and quality-control processes.

6. Biotechnology / Microbiology – 2 bursaries

Funding is available towards:

• Diploma in Biotechnology/Microbiology (NQF Level 6)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology/Microbiology

Microbiological and biotechnology expertise can play an important role in water-quality testing, environmental monitoring, treatment processes and public-health protection.

7. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) – 2 bursaries

The 2027 advertisement also includes:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

ICT is increasingly important to water utilities through data management, cybersecurity, digital infrastructure, monitoring systems, business systems and the digitalisation of water operations.

Who Can Apply for the Magalies Water Bursary 2027?

The opportunity is aimed at young South Africans aged 18–35 who are eligible to study at an accredited and registered South African institution of higher learning.

Importantly, the advertisement states that bursaries are available to South African citizens who achieved an average of at least 65% in Grade 12.

Final selection will also consider transformation and equity priorities.

Preference will be given to:

• Previously disadvantaged individuals
• People with disabilities
• Female applicants
• South African citizens

Meeting these conditions does not automatically mean an applicant will receive funding. Applications will still be subject to Magalies Water’s selection process and the number of bursaries available.

What Documents Do You Need?

Applicants should start preparing their documents now.

According to the advertisement, you will need:

1. ID document
2. Grade 11 and Matric results if you are currently in Matric
3. Matric certificate if you have already completed Grade 12
4. Latest academic transcript or academic record on official institutional letterhead/logo if you are already studying at a tertiary institution
5. Provisional acceptance letter from the university or institution

The advert specifically states that the first four documents should be certified copies.

Applicants should pay close attention to this requirement. Magalies Water warns that incomplete applications will be rejected.

Current Matric Learners Can Apply

One particularly important aspect of the advertisement is that it makes provision for learners who are currently completing Matric.

These applicants can submit their Grade 11 and available Matric results.

This means Grade 12 learners planning to enter university or another qualifying institution in 2027 should not assume they need to wait until final Matric results are released before considering the bursary.

However, they will still need to comply with the other requirements stated in the official application documentation, including the provisional acceptance requirement.

TVET College Students Should Take Note

The inclusion of N4–N6 Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering makes this bursary particularly noteworthy for eligible TVET students.

Edupstairs has built a dedicated TVET College Explorer that allows prospective students to investigate public TVET colleges, courses, admission requirements, applications, NSFAS information and available past examination resources.

Explore South African TVET Colleges on Edupstairs

For example, the Edupstairs database shows that Central Johannesburg TVET College offers NATED/Report 191 engineering pathways including Building & Civil Engineering and Electrical Engineering. Its college page also provides access to programme information, admissions guidance and past exam papers.

Students should, however, choose their institution and programme based on the Magalies Water bursary’s requirements and confirm that their institution and qualification satisfy the official funding criteria.

Magalies Water Bursary and EWSETA

Students applying for Water Care, Electrical Engineering and other energy/water-sector qualifications should also become familiar with EWSETA – the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority.

Edupstairs’ SETA Platform identifies EWSETA as the SETA associated with energy and water services, including electricity generation and distribution, renewable energy, water treatment, water-resource management, sanitation and process control.

Explore all 21 SETAs on the Edupstairs SETA Platform

This is useful beyond the bursary itself. Students can investigate qualifications, learnerships, skills programmes and workplace-learning pathways that could become relevant during or after their studies.

For example, Edupstairs also provides a dedicated EWSETA Work-Integrated Learning guide for TVET, university and university-of-technology students requiring workplace experience.

This matters because obtaining a qualification is only one part of career development. Students in technical disciplines may later need workplace experience, candidacy, professional development or occupational training.

How to Apply for the Magalies Water Bursary 2027

The application process is relatively straightforward, but applicants must follow the instructions carefully.

Step 1: Obtain the application form

The official advertisement directs applicants to the Magalies Water bursaries section to obtain the application form:

Magalies Water Bursaries Page

Step 2: Complete the application form

Complete every section that applies to you.

Do not leave compulsory sections unanswered.

Step 3: Prepare your supporting documents

Make sure you have the required ID, school results, Matric certificate or tertiary academic record and provisional acceptance letter, depending on your circumstances.

Remember that the advert requires the first four supporting documents to be certified copies.

Step 4: Scan the entire application

Scan the completed application form together with all supporting documentation.

Check that every page is:

• Complete
• Clearly readable
• Correctly orientated
• Included in the submission

Step 5: Email your application

Applications must be emailed to: bursaries@magalieswater.co.za

Also Check: What to Write in an Email When Sending Your CV

The advertisement states clearly that incomplete applications will be rejected.

Magalies Water Bursary Closing Date

The closing date is: 23 October 2026

Applicants should treat this as a firm deadline.

Submitting early also gives you time to identify problems such as missing certifications, an unreadable scan or an outstanding acceptance letter.

What Happens After You Apply?

According to the official advertisement, applicants who do not receive correspondence from Magalies Water within 60 days from the closing date should accept that their application was unsuccessful.

Applicants therefore need to monitor the email address and telephone number they provided on their application.

For bursary-related queries, the advertisement provides the following contact:

Magalies Water HR Department: 014 597 4636

Why This Bursary Is Worth Considering

The Magalies Water bursary stands out because it covers several different post-school pathways rather than restricting applicants exclusively to university bachelor’s degrees.

Depending on the field, the programme accommodates N4–N6 studies, NQF Level 6 Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees.

It is also closely aligned with skills that South Africa requires for water and infrastructure development: engineering, water treatment, chemistry, microbiology and increasingly ICT.

There is also continuity in the programme. Edupstairs’ previous Magalies Water bursary article shows that the organisation offered funding for several of the same engineering, Water Care and science disciplines for the 2026 academic year.

One notable change in the new advert is that the 2027 list includes a Bachelor’s Degree in ICT, while the 2026 Edupstairs article listed Financial Accounting among the supported fields. Applicants should therefore always work from the current 2027 advertisement, rather than relying on requirements from previous years.

Tools you may find useful:

• 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

• Government Entry Level Jobs
• Company Entry Level Jobs
• South African Teaching Posts

Need Help?

• Ask Edupstairs anything here OR
• Ask the Edupstairs Community here
• Download the New Z83 form here

Edupstairs Advice to Applicants

Do not simply download the application form and leave it until October.

Start by confirming that your exact qualification falls within one of the advertised fields. Then secure your provisional acceptance documentation and prepare your certified supporting documents.

Students still deciding what to study can use Edupstairs’ education tools to research their options:

Edupstairs SETA Platform helps students explore all 21 SETAs and more than 1,000 programme records across different industries and NQF levels.

Students interested specifically in energy and water can use the EWSETA Qualification Catalogue to explore occupational qualifications connected to the sector.

Prospective TVET students can use the Edupstairs TVET College Explorer to compare colleges, programmes, application information, admission requirements and study resources.

Mechanical Engineering students can also investigate occupations and approved study pathways through the Edupstairs Mechanical Engineering Technologist Career Guide and the wider Career & Qualification Explorer.

These resources can help applicants understand not only how to fund a qualification, but also where that qualification may fit into a longer-term career pathway.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Magalies Water Bursary 2027 close?
Applications close on 23 October 2026.

Who can apply?
Young South African citizens aged 18–35 who meet the academic and study requirements may apply.

What Grade 12 average is required?
The advertisement states that applicants must have achieved an average of 65% in Grade 12.

Can current Matric learners apply?
Yes. The document requirements specifically provide for applicants currently in Matric to submit Grade 11 and Matric results.

Does the bursary support TVET students?
Yes. N4–N6 studies are explicitly listed for Mechanical, Electrical and Civil Engineering.

Does it fund university students?
Yes. Various Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor’s Degrees are included depending on the field of study.

How many bursaries are available?
The advertisement indicates two bursaries for each of the seven listed study areas, which implies up to 14 bursary opportunities across the advertised categories.

Can ICT students apply?
Yes. A Bachelor’s Degree in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is included in the 2027 advertisement.

Where do I send my application?
The completed application form and supporting documents must be emailed to bursaries@magalieswater.co.za

What happens if my application is incomplete?
The advertisement states that incomplete applications will be rejected.

How will I know if I was unsuccessful?
If you have not received correspondence from Magalies Water within 60 days after the closing date, the advertisement instructs applicants to regard their application as unsuccessful.

Our Conclusion

The Magalies Water External Bursary Opportunity for the 2027 academic year presents an important funding opportunity for young South Africans pursuing qualifications in:

Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Water Care, Chemistry/Analytical Chemistry, Biotechnology/Microbiology and ICT.

With applications closing on 23 October 2026, prospective applicants have time to prepare—but securing certified documents, academic records and provisional acceptance documentation can take time.

Start preparing your application early and make sure every requirement in the official Magalies Water application form and advertisement is satisfied before submitting.

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

Disclaimer

This article is an Edupstairs opportunity explainer based on the Magalies Water 2027 bursary advertisement supplied above and additional Edupstairs research. Edupstairs is not Magalies Water and does not administer or award the bursary. Requirements, selection decisions and funding remain the responsibility of Magalies Water. Applicants should verify information against the official application form before submitting.

EDUPSTAIRS IS A REGISTERED NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION NPO No: 232 – 182, PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANISATION (PBO): 930066984. EDUPSTAIRS DOES NOT, IN ANY WAY OR FORM, SOLICIT MONEY OR CV’S FROM PEOPLE FOR JOBS. PLEASE BE AWARE OF PHONY JOB POSTINGS AND RECRUITMENT FRAUD. USE THE EDUPSTAIRS SCAM DETECTOR TOOL TO SPOT A SCAM BEFORE YOU APPLY