GrandWest Casino

About GrandWest

GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World is a large leisure complex in Goodwood, Cape Town. Sun International, one of the biggest hospitality and gaming groups in Africa, owns and runs it. The complex opened in 2000 and combines a casino with a hotel, cinemas, an ice rink, restaurants and event venues. Gaming companies in South Africa must show that they invest in the communities around them. GrandWest set up its bursary fund in 2007 as part of that commitment. The aim is to help students from previously disadvantaged Western Cape communities reach tertiary education.

How the GrandWest bursary supports students

The bursary funds full-time undergraduate study. Recent calls list fields such as tourism and hospitality, information technology, agriculture, entrepreneurship, human resources, marketing, finance, and electrical and mechanical engineering. Students must be registered at the University of Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape, Stellenbosch University or the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

The fund does not bind students to GrandWest or Sun International after graduation. There is no work-back or repayment obligation. Instead, each bursar completes 40 hours of community service and must reapply every year. Continued support depends on a satisfactory academic record. This approach rewards both good results and a willingness to give back. All four universities are in or near Cape Town. As a result, many bursars can study close to home and save on travel and accommodation. Stellenbosch University has even published a GrandWest information flyer for its students, which shows how well known the fund is on these campuses.

What to know before applying

Recent calls ask for South African citizens who live in the Western Cape and finished matric in South Africa. Applicants should be under 27 and should be studying towards their first tertiary qualification. They should have a strong academic record and must not be carrying subjects from a previous year or working full time. The programme also encourages applications from students living with a disability.

Applications go directly to GrandWest by email. For the 2026 intake, the closing date was 15 January 2026, and the email subject line had to read "GrandWest Bursary 2026". Dates and rules can change, so check the GrandWest website or the bursary pages of the four universities for the current call.

Prepare your certified ID, matric results, proof of registration or acceptance and your academic record before you write. A short, honest motivation that explains your background and your goals can also help. Finally, keep your marks up, because the annual reapplication decides whether your funding continues. Choose your degree with care. The listed fields cover business, technology, hospitality and engineering, so pick the one that fits your strengths. Students who also volunteer or help in their own communities usually find the 40 hours of community service easier to plan and complete.