Company: Department of Tourism
Location: South Africa
Closing Date: 13 March 2026
The Department of Tourism is inviting eligible South African students to apply for its 2026 Bursary Programme. This initiative aims to support academically deserving and financially needy students who wish to pursue studies in fields that contribute to the growth and development of South Africa’s tourism sector and the broader economy.
The bursary will cover the remainder of the approved study period and will be renewed annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Successful applicants will be required to sign a formal contractual agreement with the Department.
About the Bursary Programme
The Department of Tourism Bursary Programme is designed to invest in the country’s future professionals by providing financial assistance to students at both Undergraduate (Diploma/Degree) and Postgraduate (Honours, MSc, MTech, Masters, PhD) levels.
Through this programme, the Department aims to build capacity in critical and scarce skills areas that align with national development priorities and support innovation, governance, research, and management within the tourism and public sectors.
Fields of Study Covered
Bursaries will be awarded in the following fields:
- Construction Management
- Digital Transformation
- Business Analytics
- Graphic Design / Communications Science / Communication Design / Strategic Communication
- Computer Science / Information Technology / Software Development
- Law
- Data Sciences / Data Analytics
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Facility Management / Property Management and Development
- Forensic Auditing / Internal Auditing / Information Systems Auditing
- Humanities (Social Sciences)
- Information and Knowledge Management
- Industrial / Organisational Psychology
- Management Services / Operations Management / Work Study / Organisational Development
- Risk Management
- Statistics
Students pursuing qualifications in these disciplines are strongly encouraged to apply.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following minimum criteria before submitting an application:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must have completed Matric
- Must be studying full-time towards an Undergraduate or Postgraduate qualification in one of the listed fields
- Must be registered at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
- Must not be employed by the Department of Tourism
Failure to meet all the above requirements may result in disqualification.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit clear, certified copies of the following documents together with their completed application form:
- South African ID document
- Matric certificate
- Most recent academic records or transcripts
- Proof of registration at a tertiary institution
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income:
- Latest payslips (if employed)
- Affidavit (if unemployed)
- Proof of SASSA grant or pension (if applicable)
- A motivational letter supporting the application
- Research proposal (for Honours and Masters students only)
Incomplete applications or missing documents may not be considered.
How to Apply
Applicants can download the Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf) from the official Department of Tourism platforms. Alternatively, hard copy application forms can be collected from the reception of the Department of Tourism. Completed applications can be submitted through one of the following methods:
Hand Delivery:
Tourism House
17 Trevenna Street
Sunnyside
0002
Postal Address:
Tourism House
Private Bag X 424
Pretoria
0001
Email Submission:
Bursary2026@tourism.gov.za
Important Notes
- Ensure that your application is submitted before the closing date: 13 March 2026.
- Late applications will not be considered.
- Applicants are advised to keep copies of all submitted documents for their records.
- Only shortlisted candidates may be contacted for further processes.
The Department of Tourism Bursary 2026 presents an excellent opportunity for dedicated and hardworking students to receive financial support while contributing to the future development of South Africa’s tourism and public service sectors. If you meet the eligibility requirements and are passionate about your field of study, do not miss this opportunity to apply.
Read more: https://tinyurl.com/4vhcvz47
Application forms: https://tinyurl.com/2ut792jr