Knight Piésold

About Knight Piésold

Knight Piésold is an engineering and environmental consulting firm that began as a small practice in South Africa. Today it runs 29 offices in 16 countries. Its South African head office is in Sandton, and regional offices serve Cape Town, Durban, Phalaborwa and Pretoria.

The firm works across mining, power, water resources, the environment and infrastructure. It is best known for tailings dam design, mine water management and mine closure. It also takes on hydropower, renewable energy and environmental impact assessments. As a result, young engineers join teams that design real dams, water systems and storage facilities. The firm describes its people as a diverse group working as one team, and its South African staff regularly present technical papers and receive industry recognition. For a student, that culture means a chance to learn from senior specialists.

How Knight Piésold supports students

Knight Piésold funds students through its Civil Engineering Bursary Programme. The programme targets academically strong students who need financial help, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In South Africa, it is open to students studying towards a BEng or BSc in Civil Engineering. Recent calls asked for students entering their second, third or fourth year. The same programme also runs in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with different year-of-study rules in each country.

Support may cover tuition and registration fees, prescribed books, accommodation, a monthly allowance and a stationery allowance. In addition, successful students may get vacation work during university breaks. After graduation, they may be considered for the firm's Graduate Development Programme. This gives the bursary real value beyond the money, because it can lead straight into a first engineering job. Because the programme spans several countries, it reaches both undergraduate and postgraduate students, depending on the country.

What to know before applying

Applications have normally been sent by email to the firm's bursary address. Applicants usually attach a copy of their ID or passport, matric certificate, academic transcripts, a CV and a motivational letter. The latest call closed on 15 August 2026, so the next round is likely to open in the first half of the year. However, dates can change, so confirm them on the official Knight Piésold website.

Strong marks matter, so keep your transcripts up to date. Write your motivational letter with care as well. Explain why civil engineering interests you, and show that you understand the firm's focus on water, tailings and infrastructure. Whether a work-back period applies is not clearly stated in public information. Therefore, read the bursary agreement carefully before you sign. Finally, send everything in one email with the exact subject line the firm requests, because late applications are not considered.