Key Facts
- Status
- Applications Open
- Provider
- Field of Study
- Study Level
- Application Closes
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Eligibility Requirements
- BSc in meteorology or atmospheric sciences, including agrometeorology or oceanography, for the honours bursary
- Mathematics and physics in the programme for the full-time bursary
- South African citizenship, according to third-party sites
- Acceptance at, or registration in, a recognised university programme
Documents Needed
- Certified copy of your ID
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of acceptance or registration
- Curriculum vitae
- Any other documents that the advert lists
About South African Weather Service Bursary
The South African Weather Service Bursary pays for study in meteorology and atmospheric science. The South African Weather Service, or SAWS, advertises its bursaries on its own recruitment portal, and the latest adverts close in November 2026.
Two adverts were open on 8 November 2026. One was for honours study and closes on 10 November, and the other was a full-time bursary for forecasting that closes on 13 November. Check the portal at once if you want to apply, because the dates are close.
Funding Details
The portal text that we could read did not list the rand value of the awards or the costs that they cover. Bursaries from public bodies usually pay for tuition and may add books or a stipend, but SAWS must confirm what yours includes.
Ask for these details in writing. Also ask whether you must work for SAWS after you graduate, and for how long. Full-time bursaries in a scarce skill often carry a work-back period, so read the agreement closely.
SAWS is a small employer in a technical field, so a bursary can lead to a real job. Many forecasters begin as bursars.
Where You Can Study
The adverts we saw did not name universities in the text that we could read. Meteorology and atmospheric science are taught at only a few South African universities, so check which of them offers your programme.
Ask SAWS whether the institution that you choose is accepted for the bursary before you pay any registration fee. An approved programme is the safest route.
About South African Weather Service
About the South African Weather Service The South African Weather Service, or SAWS, is the country's official source of weather forecasts, climate information and severe weather warnings. Parliament created it through th…
View full provider profile →- Address
- 1263 Heuwel Road, Centurion, 0157
- Phone
- 012 367 6000
- generalenquiries@weathersa.co.za
Fields of Study & Who Can Apply
SAWS invites graduates with a BSc in meteorology or atmospheric sciences, including agrometeorology or oceanography, to apply for a one-year full-time bursary. This is the honours route, and it suits a student who has finished a science degree and wants to specialise.
A second full-time bursary is open to students from the first year of study. It requires a BSc in the same fields, with mathematics and physics in the programme. Earlier adverts for the forecasting stream also asked for second-year mathematics and first-year physical sciences, so read the advert for the exact subjects.
Third-party sites say that applicants must be South African citizens. We could not confirm this on the portal, but public bodies usually require it. A student who plans a career as a forecaster should explain in the motivation why weather work interests them.
Application Procedure
Apply through the SAWS recruitment portal. The portal says that if you do not hear from SAWS within one month after the closing date, you should consider your application unsuccessful. Many unofficial websites still show a closing date of 7 November 2025, which is out of date.
- Closes
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Questions about this application?
Contact South African Weather Service directly:
Last verified:
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the SAWS bursaries close?
The honours advert closes on 10 November 2026 and the full-time forecasting advert closes on 13 November 2026, according to the portal.
Which degrees qualify?
A BSc in meteorology or atmospheric sciences, including agrometeorology or oceanography, qualifies.
What if I hear nothing?
The portal says that you should treat silence after one month as an unsuccessful application.
