The Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) is a Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) for the Mining and Minerals Sector in terms of the Skills Development Act No. 97 of 1998.
The MQA would like to invite persons who are PRESENTLY EMPLOYED within the mining and minerals sector and who would like to pursue studies for a qualification relevant to the mining related sector to apply for an MQA bursary for the 2027 academic year of study.
A total of 200 bursary opportunities for employed bursars will be available for the 2027 academic year. The bursary will cover tuition and allowances for books ONLY.
The bursary is not available to applicants presently on an MQA funded Internship Programme or a Work Experience (P1/P2) Programme as this may be considered as “double dipping”.
Please note: The bursary is ONLY available to South African Citizens who are ALREADY employed within the mining and minerals sector.
The MQA bursary scheme focuses on funding the following qualifications at universities, universities of technology and TVET Colleges as indicated hereunder.
However, the MQA may allocate 20% of the total bursary allocations for qualifications which are not listed hereunder, which the MQA may deem as qualifications necessary for the mining and minerals sector.
1. Qualifications funded at TVET Colleges:
- Boilermaker
- Motor Mechanic (Diesel)
- Electrician
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitting (including Machining)
- Instrumentation Mechanic
- Millwright
- Rigger Ropes man
2. Qualifications funded at universities and universities of technology:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electromechanical Engineering
- Environmental Geology
- Environmental Health and Management
- Environmental Management
- Environmental Science
- Geology
- Geo-metallurgy
- Industrial Engineering
- Jewellery Design Manufacturing
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Mine Surveying
- Mining Engineering
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Occupational Hygiene
- Occupational Medicine
- Operations Management
- Physics and Hydrogeology
- Quality Management (Analytical Chemistry)
3. Other full qualifications that are key economic drivers:
- Exploration and 4
- IR related qualifications pertaining to Artificial Intelligence
- 3D Printing
- AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality)
- Automation Technology
- Cloud Computing
- CNC Machining
- Coding
- Cyber Security
- Drones Technology
- Internet of Things
- IT Linguistics
- Networking and Programming
- Renewable Energy Technologies
- Robotics and Programming
- Software Simulation
- Solar and Photovoltaics Technology
- Welding Robotics (Raspberry and Pi and Arduino)
Application window
The application period will open from 19 October 2026 and closes on 19 November 2026.
Application link: https://sims.mqa.org.za/bursaryApplicationSocioEcoSelect
Please note that communication will be limited to successful applicants only.
If you have not received any communication from MQA by 15 December 2026, then please consider your application as being unsuccessful.
To apply sims.mqa.org.za.