Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) Bursary

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) was established under the Mine Health and Safety Act No.29 of 1996. It is a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) which is responsible for driving transformation in the South African mining and minerals sector, by way of skills development programmes. The MQA aim to ensure that the countries mining and minerals sector is equipped with sufficient skills to improve the employment equity, health and safety and productivity standards.

The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programmes, for the 2026 academic year.

MQA is offering 2 types of bursaries for studies within the Mining and Minerals sector – Unemployed Bursaries (430 bursaries will be awarded) and Employed Bursaries (70 bursaries will be awarded).

University and University of Technology studies:

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

The MQA reserves the right to allocate up to 20% of the total bursary funds for the 2026 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.

You must represent the bursary programme positively in your professional conduct and fulfill any work-back obligations specified in your bursary contract after graduating. As a bursary recipient, your responsibilities will include maintaining the minimum academic performance standards and attending all lectures and tutorials as required.

• 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 in financial need, with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per annum (this will be verified by MQA)
• Preference will be given to the following applicants/ students: Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI), females, those with disabilities, living in rural communities, applied to study at their local tertiary institutions, strong academic record, studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list
• 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
• Preference will be given to the following applicants/ students: Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (HDI), females, those with disabilities, living in rural communities, applied to study at their local tertiary institutions, strong academic record, studying occupations in line with MQA Sectoral Priority Occupations Interventions (SPOI) list

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

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Applications must be submitted online at: MQA Bursary Application 2026 Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the MQA bursary. 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): 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 2026, if available Full tertiary academic record, if currently studying (on institutions letterhead) Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copy) 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)

This bursary is offered by Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA).