Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Open
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Academic Year
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2027
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizen with a valid ID
- Grade 12 learner, current teaching student, or unemployed youth under 30
- Studying, or planning to study, a teaching qualification at a public university
- Willing to teach in public schools after graduating, in a priority subject
- Good academic results
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Matric results or academic transcript
- Proof of registration or acceptance for a teaching qualification
- Proof of unemployment, if applying as an out-of-school youth
About The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme South Africa
The Funza Lushaka Bursary, funded by the Department of Basic Education, is one of South Africa's most valuable teaching bursaries - it exists to solve a real national shortage of qualified teachers, especially in Mathematics, Science, Technology, and African languages.
Apply through the national online process, and expect to commit to teaching in a public school after you graduate, for the same number of years the bursary funded you. This isn't a soft expectation - it's a binding contractual condition of accepting the funding.
Funding Details
Expect comprehensive coverage: full tuition fees, registration fees, prescribed textbooks, accommodation where applicable, and meals or a living allowance.
Where You Can Study
Study at any recognised public South African university offering an accredited teaching qualification - the bursary isn't restricted to a single institution.
About Department of Basic Education
The Department of Basic Education (DBE) is the South African government department responsible for primary and secondary schooling nationwide, from curriculum policy to teacher training standards.The DBE funds the Funza …
View full provider profile →Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
You qualify if you're a South African citizen who is either a Grade 12 learner planning to study teaching, a student already studying a teaching qualification at a recognised public university, or unemployed and under 30. Bring good academic results and a genuine commitment to teaching, since selection favours applicants who can demonstrate both.
Application Procedure
Apply directly with the provider using the official application link below, before the closing date.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to teach after I graduate?
Yes - you commit to teaching in a public school for the same number of years the bursary funded you. This is a binding condition, not optional.
Which subjects does Funza Lushaka prioritise?
Mathematics, Science, Technology, Languages, and special needs education, since these face the most severe teacher shortages nationally.
Can unemployed adults apply, not just Matriculants?
Yes, unemployed South African youth under 30 can apply, alongside current Grade 12 learners and students already studying teaching.
When do applications open?
Applications are scheduled to open on 1 October each year through the official eServices portal.
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