Department of Tourism Bursaries 2026: Applications Now Open

If you’re planning to study tourism, hospitality, events management, or related fields, the Department of Tourism Bursaries 2026 could help fund your studies. These bursaries are offered by the South African Department of Tourism to support students who want to enter the tourism and hospitality sector — an important part of South Africa’s economy.

Tourism bursaries are available for students studying towards diplomas, undergraduate degrees, and (in some cases) postgraduate qualifications.

Eligible Fields of Study

Funding is typically open to students studying at public universities or accredited TVET colleges in South Africa. The exact qualifications can vary each year depending on bursary allocations and budget availability.

The bursaries cover a broad range of study areas, including:

• Tourism Management

• Accounting / Financial Accounting / Management Accounting

• Bachelor of Law

• Business Analytics

• Communications / Communication Science / Graphic Design / Strategic Communication

• Computer Science / IT / Software Development

• Construction Management

• Data Sciences / Analytics

• Development Studies

• Digital Transformation

• Economics

• Facility / Property Management

• Auditing / Forensic Auditing / Information Systems Auditing

• Humanities (Social Sciences)

• Industrial / Organisational Psychology

• Management / Operations Management / Organisational Development

• Monitoring and Evaluation

• Public Administration / Business Administration

• Risk Management

• Statistics

• Supply Chain Management

What the Department of Tourism Bursary Covers

The bursary will be awarded for the remainder of the approved study period and is renewable annually, subject to satisfactory academic performance. Successful applicants will need to sign a formal contractual agreement with the Department

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be South African citizens

• Be registered or accepted for study in one of the approved fields

• Meet the academic standards for their chosen programme

Applications can be submitted via:

• Hand delivery at Tourism House, 17 Trevenna Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria

• Posted to Tourism House, Private Bag X 424, Pretoria, 0001

• Email to Bursary2026@tourism.gov.za

Application forms are available on the official Department of Tourism bursary page or at the reception of the department.