Mechanical engineering is the study of physical machines that may involve force and movement.
It is an engineering branch that combines engineering physics and mathematics principles with materials science, to design, analyze, manufacture, and maintain mechanical systems.
Tertiary education is not cheap, but luckily there are a few scholarships and bursaries on offer that will take care of your tuition and other expenses while you are studying.
If you're planning on studying towards a Mechanical Engineering qualification, or are already studying, here are a few bursaries for you to consider:
UKZN College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science (CAES) Bursary
The University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) consists of 5 main schools:
- School of Agricultural, Earth, and Environmental Studies
- School of Chemistry and Physics
- School of Engineering
- School of Life Sciences
- School of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science.
The UKZN College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science (CAES) is inviting students to apply for the bursaries it has on offer.
The College will be awarding numerous bursaries (that are funded by various donors) to Postgraduate students, for studies towards the following qualification:
Mechanical Engineering (MScEng or PhD)
- Donated by Reino Stegan
- Number of bursaries available: 4 for Masters of Science in Engineering (MScEng) and for 4 Doctoral (PhD) studies
- Value of the bursary: MscEng: R50 000 each, and PhD: R55 000 each
Other qualifying studies for this bursary include:
- Engineering (but excludes Mechanical Engineering)
- Agricultural or Agricultural Management
- Horticulture
Eligibility criteria for this bursary (in Mechanical Engineering) is as follows:
- Must be registered for one of the following qualifications: MScEng or PhD in Mechanical Engineering
- Must have a credit weight average of at least 75% in your previous degree
- Preference will be given to graduates of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
Applications must be submitted electronically via email to Ms. Maju Radebe; (Insert the words “UKZN Bursary Application” in the email subject line).
TauSadi Mining and Engineering Bursary
TauSadi Mining and Engineering are inviting students pursuing studies within the Engineering (core mining disciplines) sector to apply for the bursary award.
Bursaries will be awarded specifically to students in the 2nd, 3rd or 4th year in one of these fields:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
Eligibility requirements for this bursary include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must reside in the Emalahleni area, in Mpumalanga province, or surrounding areas
- You must be between 19 and 25 years old
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying full-time one of the aforementioned qualifications
- You must be in your 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of study
- You must be studying at a recognised tertiary institute in South Africa
Applications must be submitted online via email.
Vergenoeg Mining Company Bursary
Vergenoeg Mining Company is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme.
Bursaries will be awarded for studies at Colleges, Universities and Universities of Technology, within the following fields:
- Mechanical Engineering (1 bursary to be awarded)
- Engineering (1 bursary to be awarded)
- Mining Engineering (National Diploma) (1 bursary to be awarded)
- Geology (BSc) (1 bursary to be awarded)
- Lab Chemistry/ Metallurgy (1 bursary to be awarded)
- Mining (2 bursaries to be awarded)
- Non-technical Bursary (any discipline) (1 bursary to be awarded)
Eligibility requirements of this bursary include:
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be between the ages of 18 and 22 years old
- You must have completed Matric with exemption
- You must have achieved a minimum of Level 5 for all subjects in Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards a Diploma or Degree within one of the fields of study listed above
- You must have been accepted to study at a College, University or University of Technology in South Africa
- You must NOT have failed any subject
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% for the current academic year
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary funding for the 2023 academic year
- Preference will be given to candidates who live in local communities around the mining area
Applications must be submitted online, via email.
Hitachi Bursary
Hitachi Construction Machinery is offering bursaries, which will be awarded to students for studies within the following fields:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Artisan Trades (Auto-electricians, Diesel Mechanics, and Millwrights)
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Science
- BCom Accounting
Students may also have the opportunity to work for Hitachi in the future.
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must be South African citizen
- You must be between 16 and 35 years old
- You must be currently in Matric in 2022 or have completed Matric
- You must have a strong academic record
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% in Matric, if completed Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards a qualification within one of the fields listed above, in 2023
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% in your current studies, if already studying
- You must be in financial need
Applications must be submitted online.
Career Wise Bursaries
Career Wise was established in 1999 and is an independent, owner managed organization.
Career Wise is inviting students to apply for their bursary programmes, which will be awarded for undergraduate studies within the following fields:
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Food Science
- Food Technology
- Geology/ Geotechnical Engineering
- Human Resource Management
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Technology
- Information Systems
- Investment Management
- LLB
- Logistics Management
- Marketing Management
- Mathematics Statistics
- Mineral Surveying
- Occupational Health/ Hygiene
- Supply Chain Management
- Transport Management
- Communications
- Computer Engineering
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Financial Management
- Accounting (CA and non-CA)
- Actuarial Science
- Agriculture
Eligibility requirements include:
- You must have completed Matric
- You must be studying or intend on studying towards an undergraduate qualification within one of the fields of study listed above
- You must be entering your 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of study
- You must be studying or intend on studying at a public Higher Education and Training (HET) institution in South Africa
Applications must be submitted online.
