Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary 2027: Fully Funded, Closes 30 September

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year, giving young South Africans a chance to study water-related, engineering and science qualifications with full government funding. This is a fully funded bursary that covers registration, tuition, residence, meals, books and a personal allowance for students with financial need who want to build a career in the water sector. If you are a matriculant or student in a qualifying field, this bursary could pay for your entire degree. Applications close on 30 September 2026, so you have time to prepare a strong application.

The Department of Water and Sanitation is the national government department responsible for ensuring that all South Africans have access to clean water and safe sanitation. Water is one of the country’s most critical and scarce resources, and the department needs a steady pipeline of engineers, scientists and technical specialists to manage dams, treatment plants, rivers and supply systems for a growing population.

The DWS Bursary Programme was created to grow these scarce skills by funding talented students who might otherwise never afford university. By investing in young people early, the department secures its own future workforce while opening the door to stable, well-paid careers in the public sector. For a young South African from a low-income household, a DWS bursary is a route into a respected profession that the country will always need.

The DWS Bursary pays the full cost of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at selected South African public universities. Cover includes:

Residence and accommodation fees

You must be a South African citizen

You must be enrolled in, or applying to study, a water-related, engineering or science qualification that matches the department’s skills needs

First-time or new students must have proof of application, provisional acceptance or a firm offer from a public university on the institution’s letterhead

Honours students in their first year must provide their undergraduate academic record and proof of acceptance

You must demonstrate financial need, with parents or guardians providing proof of income

Check the official 2027 application form for the exact list of qualifying courses

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A certified copy of your South African ID

Certified copies of your latest academic results or Grade 12 results

Proof of application, provisional acceptance or firm offer from a university (on the institution’s letterhead)

Proof of parents’ or guardians’ income (latest payslips if employed, an affidavit if unemployed, or a SASSA grant letter)

Download the official DWS bursary application form from the Department of Water and Sanitation website

Complete every section of the form accurately

Gather all required supporting documents, including certified academic results and ID

Save the completed form and all documents together as a single PDF

Email your PDF application to bursaries@dws.gov.za using a professional email address, before the closing date

Apply at the Department of Water and Sanitation

The closing date for the Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary 2027 is 30 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

South Africa faces a double challenge: a youth unemployment crisis and a shortage of skilled professionals in critical areas like water and sanitation. A government bursary tackles both at once. It removes the financial barrier that keeps talented young people out of university, and it channels them into a field where the country desperately needs qualified people.

Water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and climate pressures mean that engineers and scientists in this sector will be in demand for decades. For a young person, that translates into job security, a professional identity and the chance to serve their community while earning a stable income. Applying is free, and the payoff is a fully funded qualification with a clear career path in the public service.

No. This is a study bursary, so no work experience is needed. You are assessed on your academic results, chosen field and financial need.

Water-related, engineering and science qualifications that match the department’s skills needs. The official 2027 application form lists the exact approved courses.

Yes. The DWS Bursary supports study at selected public universities nationally, and the department operates in all nine provinces.

The bursary is designed to build the department’s future workforce, so bursars are strong candidates for employment and experiential training within the water and sanitation sector.

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As a bursary recipient, your responsibilities will include maintaining the minimum academic performance standards and attending all lectures and tutorials as required. Submitting academic progress reports to the bursary provider at specified intervals and participating in any vacation work placements or mentorship programmes is required.

South African citizenship and acceptance or current enrolment at a recognised South African tertiary institution. A strong academic record meeting the minimum requirements and demonstrated financial need where applicable.

This opportunity was sourced from Nasi-Ispani. Always verify final requirements and deadlines on the official source before applying.

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Download the official DWS bursary application form from the Department of Water and Sanitation website Complete every section of the form accurately Gather all required supporting documents, including certified academic results and ID Save the completed form and all documents together as a single PDF Email your PDF application to bursaries@dws.gov.za using a professional email address, before the closing date Apply at the Department of Water and Sanitation

Email application: bursaries@dws.gov.za

This bursary is offered by Department of Water and Sanitation.