The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) has opened its bursary programme for the 2027 academic year. The bursary is aimed at South African students from disadvantaged and rural communities who want to study geomatics, land surveying, GIS or town and regional planning. It covers tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a living allowance. Applications close on 30 September 2026.
About the Department of Land Reform Bursary Programme
The DLRRD is the national government department responsible for land reform, land administration, rural development and the country’s cadastral survey system. Its work depends on professionals who can survey land, manage geographic information and plan towns and rural settlements.
These are scarce skills in South Africa, and the department funds students in these fields to build its own future workforce and the country’s land administration capacity. The bursary deliberately targets students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and rural communities, the same communities land reform is meant to serve. For a learner from a rural school with good marks in Mathematics and Physical Science or Geography, this is one of the most direct routes into a professional career.
What The Bursary Covers
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books and study materials
- Meals
- A living allowance
Who Can Apply
- South African citizens from a previously disadvantaged background or rural community
- Currently in Matric or have completed Matric
- Studying or intending to study full-time in one of these fields: Geo-informatics or Geographic Information Science (BSc), Geomatics, Surveying or GIS (Diploma), Land Surveying or Geomatics (BSc), Town, Urban and Regional Planning (degree or Diploma), or approved postgraduate studies in geomatics and planning
- Study must be at a recognised and accredited South African university
- BSc applicants: minimum level 5 (60 to 69 percent) for Mathematics and Physical Science or Geography in Matric
- Bachelors degree and Diploma applicants: minimum level 4 (50 to 59 percent) for Mathematics and Physical Science
- You must not be a staff member of the department
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Required Documents
- Certified copy of your ID (not older than 3 months)
- Certified copies of your parents’ or guardians’ IDs
- Grade 11 final results and latest Matric results, if currently in Matric (certified)
- Matric certificate, if you have completed Matric (certified)
- Recent academic transcripts, if currently studying (certified)
- Proof of university registration or acceptance
- Proof of address
If you do not have your university acceptance letter or final results yet, you may apply without them and submit them later.
How to Apply
- Choose one application method only: online or email.
- For online applications, complete the official DLRRD Microsoft Forms application.
- For email applications, download the official application form from the DLRRD website, complete it, and email it with your documents to Externalbursaries@dlrrd.gov.za with the subject line “DLRRD Bursary Application 2027”.
- Attach certified copies of every required document.
- Submit before 30 September 2026.
Apply at DLRRD online or download the application form (PDF).
Closing Date
The closing date for the DLRRD Bursary 2027 is 30 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
Why This Bursary Matters
Geomatics, land surveying and town planning are on South Africa’s scarce-skills list, yet few young people know these careers exist. Every property transfer, new settlement, mine and municipal boundary depends on surveyors and planners, and government departments, municipalities and private firms all compete for a small pool of graduates. That means real employment prospects after graduation.
The bursary’s full cover, including a living allowance, removes the financial pressure that forces many rural students to drop out. Successful candidates are contacted within 14 days of the Matric results release, so applicants know early whether their 2027 studies are funded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply if I am still in Matric?
Yes. Current Matric learners apply with Grade 11 finals and their latest Matric results, and can send outstanding documents later.
Does the bursary include a work-back obligation?
Any service conditions are confirmed during the application process. Government bursaries in scarce skills commonly include a period of service to the department.
Which provinces can apply?
The bursary is national and open to students from all nine provinces, with preference for applicants from rural communities and previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Can postgraduate students apply?
Yes. Advanced Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma, Honours, Masters and PhD studies in geomatics and planning fields are also funded.
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