South Africans planning to study engineering qualifications, water care, science or information and communication technology in 2027 now have an additional funding option available as Magalies Water opens applications for 14 bursaries.
Bursaries will be available for South African residents in the target age group of 18 to 35.
Applications must close by 23 October 2026.
The areas of work considered are specifically related to the organisation’s needs and include study in the fields of engineering, water care, laboratory-related sciences and ICT.
What is on offer via the Magalies Water 2027 bursary scheme?
Within the fields outlined below, the organisation allocates two bursaries in each, totalling 14 bursaries for the current financial year.
The fields include:
Mechanical engineering – N4-N6, Diploma/NQF 6 or B Degree – 2 bursaries
Electrical engineering – N4-N6, Diploma/NQF 6 or B Degree – 2 bursaries
Civil engineering – N4-N6, Diploma/NQF 6 or B Degree – 2 bursaries
Water care – Diploma/NQF 6 or Advanced Diploma – 2 bursaries
Chemistry/analytical chemistry – Diploma/NQF 6 or B Degree – 2 bursaries
Biotechnology/microbiology – diploma/NQF 6 or B degree – 2 bursaries
Information and communication technology (ICT) – B Degree – 2 bursaries.
This is a targeted programme that fits within the educational needs of students who focus on the areas of water, engineering and allied disciplines relevant to the water utility.
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Who can apply?
The organisation identifies in its statement that the bursaries will be offered to:
South African citizens between the ages of 18 and 35
for eligible institutions of further education and training
and who have the academic requirements.
That means there are additional criteria.
They must have gained a minimum average of 65% in Grade 12.
The application form makes provision for candidates currently at tertiary level to apply with their most recent academic transcripts or records.
In other words, the Magalies Water external bursaries are not only restricted to matriculants seeking to enter a water engineering course.
Matriculants can also fill out the application
The application form specifies that it makes provisions for students who are currently in Grade 12 in the same document and who have already received their matric certificate.
Matriculants still studying need to provide either their results for Grade 11 and the matric results they have obtained thus far while those applicants who have completed matric must provide the certificate itself.
In a crucial point, learners need to make sure they make all of the application requirements in full and according to each instruction for the type of candidate they are.
There is a benefit to certain groups
Magalies Water states that preference will in its final selection go to:
- previously disadvantaged individuals;
people with disabilities; and
female applicants.
Also of note is that the selection benefits South African citizens.
These are factors in the organisation’s decision-making process, not a criterion for guaranteed selection.
What documents need to accompany the application?
Applicants must take into account the documents to provide when using the application form so that a complete set can be submitted.
Applicants need to have:
a copy of applicant’s identity document
for Grade 11 and matric results for those in matric and those who have already completed matric (with a certified copy being made of the first four documents);
the latest academic transcript/record for those already on tertiary education and a provisional acceptance letter from a university.
Candidates are reminded that the first four documents require certified copies.
Applicants can find this to be an additional challenge, but there are many reasons why they should not leave this preparation to the closing date.
Incomplete applications can be rejected in the organisation’s decision-making process.
What does the application form ask?
The form makes the applicant give more than just an identity or contact profile.
The form includes fields asking for the person’s schooling and the post-matric course/s they intend to study.
Notably, there is an additional request of stating if the applicant receives, or will receive, any other bursary, including its identification if so.
Students must understand here that the application requires full disclosure rather than relying on the assumption that they will not identify any other source of financial aid.
How to apply
Applicants must complete the application form and submit it along with the required documents.
Applicants should remember to electronically scan the completed document and send the information via email to:
Application form on Magalies official portal here
SETA APPLICATIONS GUIDELINES 2027
The document specifically states that incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants should bear such information in mind before submitting the completed documents by email and need to ensure the application form was completely filled in and signed.
Deadline for applications
The closing date for the programme is on 23 October 2026, after which point applications will not be accepted, as noted on the application form.
This gives learners and tertiary applicants a limited time frame in which to make their request for bursaries and to compile the necessary documents.
What happens next?
Applicants might not expect to receive a response for some time.
The organisation reminds candidates that, should they not make any contact within 60 days after the closing date, they should consider their application unsuccessful.
Applicants should make sure that the information they sent reaches the organisation.
A closer look at why these fields matter
A closer look at the fields included in Magalies Water’s bursary provides context regarding the organisation’s requirements.
Engineering, water care, chemistry, microbiology, biotechnology and ICT are all represented in this year’s funding list.
The fields are consistent with the overall history of Magalies Water, where external bursaries have historically focused on developing capabilities in fields related to its work.
Its previous annual reports indicated that the organisation used external bursaries to develop a skills pipeline relevant to the water sector.
In this light, it is easy to understand that the fields specified in the application represent its core focus.
This is not a general bursary
Students considering applying should pay close attention to the list of fields the article provides.
Those studying a qualification not included in the seven fields should not assume that Magalies Water’s 2027 external bursary will fund their study.
The organisation applies restrictions in this regard, so students must make note of the seven fields of study.
They should also pay attention to the level of qualification, with ICT included at the B Degree level, for example.
Four things applicants should check
Prospective students should perform a final set of actions before pressing send on their application email:
They should check the field.
Does the field of study they wish to make align with one of those specified in the official bursary ad?
Second, they should check their academic record because the organisation requires a 65% average.
They should check their documents.
Do the application require certified copies and did the applicants complete the form in full?
Finally, they should check the deadline of 23 October 2026.
Should applicants forget to make their request in time, the application will not be considered.
2027 Magalies Water bursary at a glance
Here is a summary of the details in a handy table to provide a glance at the information:
Detail Information
Academic year 2027
Number of bursaries 14
Fields engineering, water care, chemistry, biotechnology/microbiology and ICT
Age 18-35
Citizenship South African citizens
Academic requirement 65% grade 12 average
Institution registered and accredited South African higher-education institution
Closing date 23 October 2026
Application method email completed application and supporting documents
Application email [email protected]
Queries 014 597 4636
The information above was collected from Magalies Water’s official 2027 advertisement and application for external bursaries.
Editorial policy
We provide information with regard to education and funding and concentrate on its practical value to South Africans. We interpret the importance of an opportunity to its applicants, and not just reproduce advertising material. Whenever possible, key aspects are checked with the organisation behind the information given.
Sources and verification
The main source for this article is the Magalies Water External Bursary Opportunity for the 2027 Academic Year and its application form.
Please consult the official Magalies Water communication for updated or current programme information and application terms and conditions before submitting an application.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes and does not guarantee an applicant will receive a bursary, but is subject to the assessment and criteria of the Magalies Water organisation.
Applicants are obliged to have the accuracy of the information they submit and its supporting documents and to do so before the due date.
Corrections policy
In the case of subsequent inaccurate information being discovered in this article, the editorial team will verify the details provided in the primary source material and, if this information is incorrect or out-of-date, correct this in the published article.
