Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary 2027: Fully Funded, Closes 30 September

The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has opened its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year, giving young South Africans a chance to study water-related, engineering and science qualifications with full government funding. This is a fully funded bursary that covers registration, tuition, residence, meals, books and a personal allowance for students with financial need who want to build a career in the water sector. If you are a matriculant or student in a qualifying field, this bursary could pay for your entire degree. Applications close on 30 September 2026, so you have time to prepare a strong application.

About the Programme

The Department of Water and Sanitation is the national government department responsible for ensuring that all South Africans have access to clean water and safe sanitation. Water is one of the country’s most critical and scarce resources, and the department needs a steady pipeline of engineers, scientists and technical specialists to manage dams, treatment plants, rivers and supply systems for a growing population.

The DWS Bursary Programme was created to grow these scarce skills by funding talented students who might otherwise never afford university. By investing in young people early, the department secures its own future workforce while opening the door to stable, well-paid careers in the public sector. For a young South African from a low-income household, a DWS bursary is a route into a respected profession that the country will always need.

What Is Covered

The DWS Bursary pays the full cost of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate qualification at selected South African public universities. Cover includes:

• Registration fees
• Full tuition fees
• Residence and accommodation fees
• Meals
• Prescribed books
• An annual personal allowance

Who Can Apply

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be enrolled in, or applying to study, a water-related, engineering or science qualification that matches the department’s skills needs
• First-time or new students must have proof of application, provisional acceptance or a firm offer from a public university on the institution’s letterhead
• Honours students in their first year must provide their undergraduate academic record and proof of acceptance
• You must demonstrate financial need, with parents or guardians providing proof of income
• Check the official 2027 application form for the exact list of qualifying courses

RELATED: Industrial Development Corporation Bursaries 2027

Required Documents

• A certified copy of your South African ID
• Certified copies of your latest academic results or Grade 12 results
• Proof of application, provisional acceptance or firm offer from a university (on the institution’s letterhead)
• Proof of residence
• Your banking details
• Proof of parents’ or guardians’ income (latest payslips if employed, an affidavit if unemployed, or a SASSA grant letter)

How to Apply

1. Download the official DWS bursary application form from the Department of Water and Sanitation website
2. Complete every section of the form accurately
3. Gather all required supporting documents, including certified academic results and ID
4. Save the completed form and all documents together as a single PDF
5. Email your PDF application to bursaries@dws.gov.za using a professional email address, before the closing date

Apply at the Department of Water and Sanitation

Closing Date

The closing date for the Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary 2027 is 30 September 2026. No late applications will be accepted.

Why It Matters

South Africa faces a double challenge: a youth unemployment crisis and a shortage of skilled professionals in critical areas like water and sanitation. A government bursary tackles both at once. It removes the financial barrier that keeps talented young people out of university, and it channels them into a field where the country desperately needs qualified people.

Water scarcity, ageing infrastructure and climate pressures mean that engineers and scientists in this sector will be in demand for decades. For a young person, that translates into job security, a professional identity and the chance to serve their community while earning a stable income. Applying is free, and the payoff is a fully funded qualification with a clear career path in the public service.

Frequently Asked Questions