About Eskom Bursaries
Eskom, Africa’s largest producer of electricity, is offering different types of bursary schemes to South African candidates who intend to further their skills and education at recognized higher education institutions. With steadily expanding industrial, commercial and mining activities, and an ever-present need for competent, skilled workers within the industry, Eskom’s bursary schemes assist in educating/training hopeful applicants.
Apart from merely growing its own workforce and meeting its business objectives, Eskom’s goal is to educate the people of South Africa, resulting in national benefits such as empowerment, productivity, and an overall improved lifestyle. Those who have the drive to further educate themselves and work toward a better future but lack the finances or means to do so should jump at this type of opportunity.
What sets Eskom’s bursary scheme apart from others is the fact that bursaries are applicable not only to universities but also technikons and FETs (Further Education and Training). Below is a comprehensive list of which fields of study candidates can enter into.
Universities (successful completion of studies result in a degree):
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Accounting
- Supply Chain
- IT
Technikons / Universities of Technology (successful completion of studies result in P1 and P2 National Diplomas):
- Electrical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgy
- Environmental Science
- Safety and Risk
FETs (successful completion of studies result in qualification as an artisan):
- Boiler Makers
- Electricians
- Fitters and Turners
- Millwrights
- Welders
- Plumbers
- Bricklayers
- Carpenters
- Power Plant Operators
- Mechanics
- Control and Instrumentation
Bursaries are only granted for undergraduate studies, not postgraduate studies.
Requirements for Application
Individuals who wish to apply will have to meet a certain set of requirements in order to be considered for the any of the three Eskom bursaries available:
- Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID number
- Must hold a National Senior Certificate or its equivalent
- Must have written proof of acceptance for admission by an accredited South African higher education institution (for full-time studies)
In order to study at a university, applicants must have taken English, Physical Science, and Mathematics at school; the minimum grades obtained for all three subjects must be either C (HG) in the old symbol system or a 5 in the new symbol system.
To study at a technikon, applicants must have obtained a minimum grade of D (HG) / C (SG) in the old symbol system or a 4 in the new symbol system for the same three subjects.
To study at a FET, applicants must have obtained a minimum grade of>E (HG) / D (SG) in the old symbol system or a 4 in the new symbol system for the same three subjects.
Those who are already enrolled at a higher institution must have passed all registered subjects in the current year of study.
1. Full Eskom Bursary
This bursary is mainly geared towards the needs of Eskom as a business; it is awarded to deserving academic students. After completing their studies, the successful candidates will enter into a work-back obligation, which means that they will work at Eskom for the same duration of time as what they have benefited from the bursary.
The full package covers the following:
- Tuition fees
- Residence or other accommodation fees
- Meals
- Book allowance
- PC allowance
- Vacation allowance and accommodation
2. Eskom Merit Bursary
Of the three Eskom bursaries available, this is the one that applies to those academic deserving students who are disadvantaged, either financially or because of a disability, or those who are part of other Eskom initiatives. There is no work back obligation after completing studies with this bursary.
This bursary package covers the following:
- Registration fees>
- Tuition fees
- Residence or other accommodation fees
- Meals
- Book allowance
3. Eskom Scholarship
The scholarship is strictly offered for the children/dependents of current Eskom employees. If the applicant is a deserving student and his/her parent or guardian has been working for Eskom for a minimum of five years, then he/she could be eligible.
The scholarship covers the following:
- Tuition fees
- Residence or other accommodation fees
- Meals
- Book allowance
Selection Process
Applications that are short-listed will be notified both via telephone and written correspondence by mid-August. They will then be invited to attend an interview which will be conducted during August to October; a medical declaration or examination may also take place. Of those candidates, the final selection will be awarded based on a successful interview and satisfactory academic and medical fitness results.
Successful applicants will be notified from October to December and will receive comprehensive documentation and a written contract which is to be completed and returned to Eskom.
Important Information
Applicants may not receive any other grant for the same qualification without receiving prior written approval from Eskom.
Bursary Length
A bursary for a university or FET is valid for a maximum of five years where bridging is applicable. Bursaries for technikons are granted for a maximum of three years.
In Cases of Failure
If a student is to fail in the first academic year/bridging, the bursary will be canceled with no obligation to the individual. If they pass the first year but fail from the second academic year onwards, the bursary will be suspended; the suspension will last for one year (university) or one trimester (technikon) and there will only be one chance for it to be reinstated.
If they fail again after a suspension, the bursary will be canceled. In the case of cancellation, the bursary will have to be paid back: full value plus compound interest at prime rate.
How to Apply
All Eskom bursaries’ application forms must be submitted to Eskom by July for the following academic year.
The preferred submission method is via the Eskom bursaries’ online application form which can be found here:
Candidates can also find their postal and hand-delivering address on that page.