MQA: Mining Qualifications Authority 2025 Bursary

Bursary Details

ATTENTION CURRENTLY FUNDED (CONTINUING) STUDENTS!

The Mining Qualifications Authority is inviting currently funded students to apply for continued funding for the 2025 academic year.

PLEASE NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICANTS ARE CLOSED.

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.

Candidate Requirements

The bursary is available to deserving South African Citizens as follows:

1. Unemployed Bursaries:

The unemployed bursary is available to learners who are presently in grade 12 or already studying at a public university, university of technology, or TVET college (Nated courses: N4 to N6 and NCV qualifications) who are hereby invited to apply for an MQA bursary  for the 2025 academic year of study.

1.1. Selection criteria for unemployed bursary applicants:

• Historically Disadvantaged Individuals (White males under the age of 35 years will be considered).
• 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 living in rural communities.
• Applicants who have applied to study at their local tertiary institutions.
• Candidates with a strong academic record.
• People with disabilities.

NB: Special consideration will also be given to applicants from the following provinces: Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, North-West Province, and Kwa Zulu Natal

To qualify for the bursary, the applicant must be unemployed at the time of the application and must remain unemployed for the duration of his/her studies.

The bursary for unemployed persons will cover tuition fees and allowances for accommodation, books, and meals.

2. Employed individuals:

The bursary for employed persons is available to applicants who are re PRESENTLY employed within the mining and minerals sector, who would like to pursue studies for a qualification relevant to the mining related sector,

The employed persons’ bursary will cover tuition fees and allowances for books. Funding for international study tours, conferences and seminars will not be considered.

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”.

2.1 Selection Criteria for employed bursary applicants:

• Historically Disadvantage Individuals (White males under the age of 35 years will also be considered).
• Applicants should be from MQA levy-paying or levy-exempted employers.
• People with disabilities.

3. Qualifications

For both the unemployed and employed persons’ bursaries will support the qualifications at universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges as indicated hereunder. However, the MQA may allocate 20% of the total bursary allocations for the 2025 academic year for qualifications which are not listed hereunder, which the MQA may deem as qualifications necessary for the mining and minerals sector.

3.1. Qualifications funded at universities and universities of technology:

1. Metallurgical Engineering
2. Analytical Chemistry
3. Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
4. Electro-Mechanical Engineering
5. Geology
6. Industrial Engineering
7. Mining Engineering
8. Occupational Health and Safety
9. Mechanical Engineering
10. Occupational Hygiene
11. Mine Surveying
12. Occupational Medicine
13. Electrical Engineering
14. Operations Management
15. Chemical Engineering
16. Quality Management
17. Environmental Health and Management
18. Environmental Science

3.2. Qualifications funded at TVET colleges:

1. Boilermaker
2. Fitting (including Machinery)
3. Motor Mechanic (Diesel)
4. Instrumentation Mechanic
5. Electrician
6. Millwright
7. Fitter and Turner
8. Rigger Ropesman
9. Plumber
10. Carpenter and Joiner
11. Welder
12. Pipe Fitter
13. Mechatronics
14. Mechanic including automotive mechanic
15. Mechanical Fitter
16. Bricklayer

Bursary Inclusion

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.