Want to study without the financial worry that often stops many South African students? The Department of Tourism External Bursaries Programme is opening its doors to students who want to join a growing sector that powers the nation’s economy, and the deadline to apply is 20 March 2026.
What is this bursary?
The Department of Tourism is offering a government‑funded bursary for the 2026 academic year. It is open to students registered at recognised South African institutions and covers Diploma, Degree, Honours, MSc or MTech programmes. The bursary supports fields that help the country’s tourism industry thrive and fit within national development priorities.
Who should consider applying?
Applicants must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be studying one of the listed disciplines.
- Show financial need.
- Maintain a strong academic record and commitment.
- Intend to contribute to the public sector or national development.
Fields that qualify include:
- Construction Management
- Digital Transformation
- Business Analytics
- Graphic Design / Communications Science / Strategic Communication
- Computer Science / IT / Software Development
- Law
- Data Sciences / Data Analytics
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Facility / Property Management and Development
- Auditing (Forensic, Internal, Information Systems)
- Humanities (Social Sciences)
- Information and Knowledge Management
- Organisational Psychology
- Management / Operations / Organisational Development
- Risk Management
- Statistics
These areas help build infrastructure, governance and digital capabilities within the public sector.
What do you get?
Successful applicants will receive:
- Full financial support for the remainder of the approved study period.
- Annual renewal if you pass your modules and keep a good academic standing.
- A contract with the Department of Tourism, giving you a real‑world link to the tourism and public‑sector ecosystem.
- Reduced financial stress so you can focus on your studies.
- An opportunity to join a pipeline of professionals who shape national development.
How to apply – step by step
Download the official application form here. Once you have the form, complete it and gather the following documents:
- Certified copies of your academic certificates.
- Academic transcripts.
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Proof of registration at a recognised institution.
- Proof of your parent’s or guardian’s income.
- A motivational letter explaining why you deserve the bursary.
- A fully completed bursary application form.
After you have all documents, choose one of these submission methods:
Hand delivery
Tourism House
17 Trevenna Street
Sunnyside
0002
Post
Tourism House
Private Bag X 424
Pretoria
0001
📧 Bursary2026@tourism.gov.za
When sending by email, make sure every file is clear, properly certified and organised in the correct order.
Important notes to keep in mind
- Only successful candidates will receive further communication.
- If you do not get a response, you can safely assume your application was not successful.
For questions, contact:
Mr Gregory Moroke – (012) 444 6166
Ms Marjorie Sibiya – (012) 444 6174
Practical tips to boost your chances
- From experience, most successful candidates submit all documents in one tidy package and double‑check that every page is certified.
- Use a clear, concise motivational letter that ties your chosen field to national tourism and digital transformation priorities.
- Many applicants struggle with the deadline, so print the application early and set a personal reminder a week before 20 March.
- If this is your first time applying, don’t worry – the Department provides a detailed guide on the PDF, and you can also seek help from your university’s bursaries office.
- Keep a copy of your completed application and all supporting documents; you’ll need them if you’re asked for additional information.
Why you should act now
Receiving this bursary means you can focus on your studies while the Department of Tourism backs you financially and gives you a real link to a sector that’s booming. If you are in a strategic field that supports tourism, governance, infrastructure or digital transformation, this is a chance you should not miss.
Ready to take the next step? Gather your documents, fill out the PDF, and submit by 20 March 2026. Good luck!
