TVET and Tertiaty Bursaries x500 at MQA for interested candidates
- Career Exibs SA
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Bursaries
ABOUT MQA
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a statutory body established in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act No. 29 of 1996 and is a registered Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for the mining and minerals sector in terms of the Skills Development Act No 97 of 1998 as amended.
The MQA must supports the objectives of the National Skills Development Plan (NSDP) 2020-2030 as guided by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), and also supports the objectives of the Mining Charter in terms of the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act No. 29 of 1996.
The Quality Assurance Unit has a legal mandate to ensure quality assurance and that the learning programmes within the mining and minerals sector are aligned in terms of the National Qualifications Framework Act of 2008, as amended, and the QCTO-delegated functions, including those on regulated occupations in terms of the Mine Health and Safety Act.
The MQA is responsible for administering a number of skills development initiatives. Skills programmes and learnerships aim to develop a skilled and educated workforce whose skills are recognised and valued in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). This is to ensure that the mining and minerals sector has sufficient competent people who will improve health and safety, employment equity and increase productivity.
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.
BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 FUNDING OPEN ON 22 JUNE 2025 FOR:
UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS
PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE MINING AND MINERALS SECTOR
1. BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR UNEMPLOYED LEARNERS
The MQA would like to invite learners who are presently in grade 12 or are already studying at a public university, university of technology or a TVET college to apply for a MQA bursary for the 2026 academic year of study.
A total of 430 bursary opportunities will be available for the 2026 academic year.
The bursary will cover tuition fees, allowances for accommodation, books and meals.
NB: The bursary is ONLY available to South African citizens.
The MQA bursary scheme focuses on funding the following qualifications at universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges as indicated hereunder.
Qualifications funded at TVET colleges:
Boilermaker
Fitting (including Machinery)
Motor Mechanic (Diesel)
Instrumentation Mechanic
Electrician
Millwright
Fitter and Turner
Rigger Ropesman
Plumber
Carpenter and Joiner
Welder
Pipe Fitter
Mechatronics
Mechanic including automotive mechanic
Mechanical Fitter
Bricklayer
Qualifications funded at universities and universities of technology:
Metallurgical Engineering
Analytical Chemistry
Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
Electro-Mechanical Engineering
Geology
Industrial Engineering
Mining Engineering
Occupational Health and Safety
Mechanical Engineering
Occupational Hygiene
Mine Surveying
Occupational Medicine
Electrical Engineering
Operations Management
Chemical Engineering
Quality Management
Environmental Health and Management
Environmental Science
However, the MQA may allocate 20% of the total bursary allocations for qualifications which are not listed above, which the MQA may deem as qualifications necessary for the mining and minerals sector.
Preference will be given to the following aspects in the selection of candidates:
Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI).
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 with a disability;
Applicants living in rural communities.
Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
Candidates with a strong academic record.
Candidate who are studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list.
APPLICATION WINDOW
The application window will open from 22 June 2025 and close on 31 July 2025.
To qualify for the bursary, the applicant must be unemployed at the time of the application and remain unemployed for the duration of his/her studies.
Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.
If you have not received any communication from MQA by 1 October 2025, then consider your application as being unsuccessful.
APPLICATION LINK
More information about the MQA Bursary Programme, selection criteria and rules, as well as the online application form can be obtained from the following link:
2. BURSARY APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2026 ACADEMIC YEAR FOR PERSONS EMPLOYED IN THE MINING AND MINERALS SECTOR
The MQA would like to invite persons who are CURRENTLY employed within the mining and minerals sector and who would like to pursue studies for a qualification relevant to the mining sector to apply for a MQA bursary for the 2026 academic year of study.
A total of 70 bursary opportunities for employed bursars will be available for the 2026 academic year and for those that commenced with their studies in the second semester of 2025 academic year. The bursary will cover tuition and allowances for books ONLY.
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”.
NB: The bursary is ONLY available to South African citizens only.
Preference will be given to the following aspects in the selection of candidates:
Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI).
Female applicants.
Applicants with a disability.
Applicants living in rural communities.
Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
Candidates with a strong academic record.
Candidate who are studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list.
APPLICATION WINDOW
The application window will open from 22 June 2025 and close on 31 July 2025.
Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.
If you have not received any communication from MQA by 1 October 2025, then please consider your application as being unsuccessful.
APPLICATION LINK
More information about the MQA Bursary Programme, selection criteria and rules, as well as the online application form can be obtained from the following link: