Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA): Bursaries 2025

Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) invites student to apply for Bursary Programme 2025 academic year.

Bursary Application Closing Date: 21 September 2024

MQA is offering 2 types of bursaries – Unemployed Bursaries (700 bursaries to be awarded) and Employed Bursaries (70 bursaries to be awarded).

Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following fields, related to the mining and minerals sector:
University and University of Technology studies:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electro-Mechanical Engineering
• Environmental Health and Management
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Industrial Engineering
• Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
• Mechanical Engineering
• Metallurgical Engineering
• Mine Surveying
• Mining Engineering
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Occupational Hygiene
• Occupational Medicine
• Operations Management
• Quality Management

Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College studies (Nated courses: N4 to N6 and NCV qualifications):

• Boilermaker
• Bricklayer
• Carpenter and Joiner
• Electrician
• Fitter and Turner
• Fitting (including Machinery)
• Instrumentation Mechanic
• Mechanical Fitter
• Mechanic including automotive mechanic
• Mechatronics
• Millwright
• Motor Mechanic (Diesel)
• Pipe Fitter
• Plumber
• Rigger Ropesman
• Welder

The MQA reserves the right to allocate up to 20% of the total bursary funds for the 2025 academic year to qualifications not specified below, but which the MQA considers essential for the mining and minerals industry.

The MQA Bursary Program was created to boost the number of students pursuing careers in the mining and minerals industry.

Currently, the bursary program continues to support students by providing them with the chance to pursue these careers at Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:

• Unemployed bursary: tuition fees and allowances for accommodation, books, and meals.
• Employed bursary: tuition fees and allowances for books. Funding for international study tours, conferences and seminars will not be considered.

Successful candidates will receive feedback by no later than 30 November 2024 – if you do not receive any communication by this date, please regard your application as unsuccessful.

Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
Unemployed bursary:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying towards an Undergraduate qualification, in one of the aforementioned fields of study (postgraduate studies will NOT be funded)
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a public University, University of Technology or TVET College in South Africa
• You must be unemployed and must remain unemployed throughout your studies
• You must be a historically disadvantaged individual (White males under the age of 35 years will be considered)
• You must be in financial need, with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per annum (this will be verified by MQA)
• You must have a strong academic record
• Preference will also be given to students from the following provinces: Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, North-West and KwaZulu-Natal
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply

Employed bursary:

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be currently employed within the mining and minerals sector
• You must intend on pursuing studies for a qualification relevant to the mining related sector
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a public University, University of Technology or TVET College in South Africa
• You must NOT be currently on an MQA funded Internship Programme or a Work Experience (P1/P2) Programme
• You must be a historically disadvantaged individual (White males under the age of 35 years will be considered)
• You must be an MQA levy-paying or levy-exempted employers
• People with disabilities are encouraged to apply

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online at: MQA Bursary Application 2025

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

Parents or guardians proof of household income (latest payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, affidavit if not in contact with 1 or more parent, proof of SASSA payment if applicable, death certificate if deceased)

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 11 final report or Matric mid-year report, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Proof of acceptance at a University, University of Technology or TVET College for 2025, if available
• Full tertiary academic record, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copy)