Tshwane University of Technology External Bursaries 2026: Funding Opportunities for Students

Students studying at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) who need financial assistance can explore a range of external bursary opportunities listed through the university’s Directorate of Financial Aid.

External bursaries can help eligible students cover some or all of their study-related expenses, depending on the requirements and funding conditions of the organisation offering the bursary. TUT explains that external funding can come from public and private organisations, corporations and industry, government entities, parastatals and international sources.

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What Are TUT External Bursaries?

External bursaries are funding opportunities provided by organisations outside TUT. They are separate from TUT's internal bursaries and from funding provided through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

The university's Financial Aid Directorate currently lists a number of external opportunities for students to consider. These opportunities can have different eligibility requirements, fields of study, supporting documents and closing dates.

Students should therefore carefully read the requirements of each bursary before applying.

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External Bursaries Listed by TUT

According to TUT's Financial Aid information, the following external bursary opportunities are currently listed:

1. THEBE Foundation Bursary

The THEBE Foundation Bursary is listed as an external funding opportunity for TUT students.

Closing date: 22 September 2026

Applicants should consult the official bursary information and ensure that they meet all eligibility and documentation requirements before submitting an application.

2. National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) Bursary

The National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) bursary is another external funding opportunity listed by TUT.

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Students interested in this opportunity should check the official requirements to determine whether their qualification and academic circumstances meet the selection criteria.

3. Clicks Foundation Pharmacy Bursary

TUT's Financial Aid page also lists a Clicks Foundation Pharmacy bursary opportunity.

Closing date: 30 September 2026

This opportunity may be particularly relevant to students pursuing pharmacy-related studies, subject to the official eligibility requirements contained in the bursary information.

4. Clicks Foundation IT Bursary

The university also lists a Clicks Foundation IT bursary opportunity.

Closing date: 30 September 2026

Students studying information technology-related qualifications should review the official bursary document carefully to determine whether they qualify.

5. KN Inzuzo Trust Bursary

The KN Inzuzo Trust Bursary is listed among TUT's external bursary opportunities.

Closing date: 18 October 2026

Applicants should submit their applications before the closing date and ensure that all required supporting documentation is included.

6. Eskom Bursary Programme 2027

TUT is also listing the 2027 Eskom Bursary Programme as an external funding opportunity.

Students interested in the programme should consult the official bursary information for the applicable fields of study, eligibility requirements, application process and closing date.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility differs from one external bursary to another. Depending on the funding provider, applicants may be assessed according to factors such as:

• Academic performance

• Financial need

• Field of study

• Year of study

• South African citizenship or residency requirements

• Academic progression

• Specific demographic or socioeconomic criteria

• Career or industry requirements

TUT advises students to comply with the applicable requirements for each funding category. The university also states that late or incomplete applications will generally not be accepted, making it important for students to apply before the relevant deadline.

External Bursaries vs NSFAS

External bursaries should not be confused with NSFAS funding.

NSFAS is a separate financial-aid mechanism for eligible students, while external bursaries are offered by individual organisations and funding providers. TUT's 2026 student information identifies external funding, internal university funding and NSFAS as separate funding categories.

Students who do not qualify for one funding option may therefore still investigate other opportunities for which they meet the requirements.

Postgraduate Students Can Also Explore External Funding

External funding is not limited to undergraduate students.

TUT states that external funding opportunities can include undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries.

For postgraduate students, TUT also identifies organisations such as the National Research Foundation (NRF), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) as potential sources of external funding.

In addition, from 2026 TUT introduced automatic scholarships for top-performing Master's and Doctoral students, subject to eligibility and funding availability. The university lists scholarship values of R80,000 for Master's studies and R100,000 for Doctoral studies.

How to Apply for TUT External Bursaries

Students interested in external bursaries should follow these steps:

Step 1: Visit the TUT Financial Aid page

Start by checking the official TUT Financial Aid page for currently advertised opportunities and bursary documents.

Step 2: Choose a bursary that matches your circumstances

Check the qualification, academic, financial and other eligibility requirements carefully.

Step 3: Prepare your documents

Depending on the bursary, applicants may be asked for documents such as identification, proof of registration, academic records, proof of household income and other supporting documentation.

Step 4: Complete the application correctly

Follow the application instructions provided by the bursary organisation. Some external bursaries may have their own application portals rather than using the TUT student system.

Step 5: Submit before the closing date

Do not wait until the deadline. TUT warns that late or incomplete applications may not be considered.

Important Advice for TUT Students

Students should regularly check the TUT Financial Aid page because bursary opportunities and deadlines can change.

It is also important to use official sources when applying. TUT has warned students about scams and fraudulent individuals pretending to represent the university. The university advises students and stakeholders to rely on official TUT communication channels and information published through official platforms.

For Financial Aid enquiries, TUT provides the following contact details:

Telephone: 086 110 2421
Email: general@tut.ac.za

TUT also provides an online Financial Aid Student Query System where current Financial Aid students, registered students and admitted students can submit and track Financial Aid-related queries.

Check TUT External Bursaries

TUT students looking for financial assistance should make use of the university's official Financial Aid resources and investigate every suitable funding opportunity for which they qualify.

With external bursaries currently including opportunities from organisations such as the THEBE Foundation, NDMC, Clicks Foundation, KN Inzuzo Trust and Eskom, students should check the requirements and deadlines and submit complete applications as early as possible.

Official TUT Financial Aid: Visit the TUT Financial Aid page

Note: Bursary availability, requirements and closing dates can change. Applicants should always verify the latest information with TUT and the relevant bursary provider before applying.

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