MQA Bursary South Africa 2025
ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – MINING QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY (MQA)
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.
ABOUT THE MQA BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED
The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programmes, for the 2025 academic year.
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.
MORE ABOUT THE MQA BURSARY PROGRAMME – EXPENSES COVERED & SELECTION
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.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MQA BURSARY
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 FOR THE MQA BURSARY
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):
- 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)
- 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)
CLOSING DATE FOR THE MQA BURSARY
21 September 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact your relevant MQA Bursary Officials and institutions directly:
1) Contact person: Mr Diiteleni Tshisevhe
Tel: 011 547 5705
Email: DiiteleniT@mqa.org.za
Specific institutions: Capricorn TVET College, Central Johannesburg TVET College, Ekurhuleni East TVET College, Ekurhuleni West TVET College, Lephalale TVET College, Letaba TVET College, Mopani TVET College, Northern Cape Rural TVET College, Northern Cape Urban TVET College, Orbit TVET College, Sefako Makgatho Health Science University, Sekhukhune TVET College, Sol Plaatjie University, South West Gauteng TVET College, Taletso TVET College, Tshwane North TVET College, Tshwane South TVET College, University of Limpopo, University of Venda, Vhembe TVET College, Vuselela TVET College, Waterberg TVET College, Western TVET College.
2) Contact person: Ms Felicitus Lebetha
Tel: 011 547 2672
Email: FelicitusL@mqa.org.za
Specific institutions: Ehlanzeni TVET College, Nkangala TVET College, University of Johannesburg, University of Mpumalanga, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
3) Contact person: Mr Tebogo Thankge
Tel: 011 547 2755
Email: TebogoT@mqa.org.za
Specific institutions: Buffalo City TVET College, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, King Dalindyebo TVET College, Nelson Mandela University, North West University, Rhodes University, Stellenbosch University, University of Cape Town, University of Fort Hare, University of Pretoria, University of the Western Cape, Walter Sisulu University.
4) Contact person: Mr Vutomi Chauke
Tel: 011 547 2625
Email: VutomiC@mqa.org.za
Specific institutions: Central University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, Flavius Mareka TVET College, Gert Sibande TVET College, Goldfields TVET College, Majuba TVET College, Mangosuthu University of Technology, Motheo TVET College, Sedibeng TVET College, Tshwane University of Technology, University of KwaZulu-Natal, University of South Africa (UNISA), University of the Free State, University of Zululand, Vaal University of Technology.
Please do NOT contact MQA if this bursary has already closed.