Tourism Bursaries Available. If you are interested in studying Tourism, Hospitality Management, Travel and Tourism, or related fields, there are several bursary opportunities available to South African students. Tourism is an important part of the country’s economy and creates career opportunities in hospitality, travel, events, conservation, aviation, tourism management, and other related industries.
Tourism connects people and cultures while contributing to employment, economic development, and business growth. Students who want to build a career in this sector can consider bursaries offered by government departments, private companies, trusts, and South Africa’s student financial aid system.
Below are some of the major Tourism bursaries in South Africa that students can explore.
Sun City Resort Bursary
Sun City Resort offers bursary opportunities aimed at supporting students from the North West Province. The programme may support students pursuing undergraduate studies in fields that are relevant to tourism, hospitality, business, technology, and other areas.
Fields that may be covered include:
- Tourism
- Hospitality Management
- Biodiversity and Nature Conservation
- Environmental Health or Science Management
- Finance
- Fire Technology
- Information Technology
- Safety Management
- Supply Chain Management
Previous eligibility requirements included South African citizenship, residence in the North West Province, completion of Matric, and full-time study at a recognised higher education institution in the province.
Students should check the latest Sun City bursary advertisement for the current age limit, academic requirements, eligible institutions, application dates, and other conditions because requirements can change from one year to another.
Access Trust Bursary
The Access Trust is a non-profit organisation that supports students pursuing qualifications in fields where there is a demand for skilled workers.
The bursary has supported students studying at TVET colleges in the Western Cape. Tourism and hospitality are among the fields that may be supported.
Other areas can include:
- Travel and Tourism
- Hospitality
- Farming Management
- Construction and Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Business and Management Studies
- Information and Communication Technology
- Early Childhood Development
- Sports, Fitness and Management
- Performing Arts
- Practical programmes
Previous requirements included being between 18 and 28 years old, having completed Matric, achieving a minimum pass requirement, and demonstrating financial need.
Applicants should confirm the current funding conditions and participating TVET colleges before applying.
Department of Tourism Bursary
The Department of Tourism is one of the most important organisations to consider when searching for tourism-related bursaries in South Africa. The department is responsible for supporting and developing the country’s tourism sector.
Its bursary programme has previously supported students studying tourism-related and other priority fields at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Possible fields include:
- Tourism Development
- Tourism Management
- Economics
- Development Studies
- Business Management
- Communication Science
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Computer Science
- Information Technology
- Internal Audit
- Risk Management
- Statistics
- Data Management
- Supply Chain Management
The programme may support qualifications such as diplomas, degrees, honours, master’s degrees, and PhD studies, depending on the specific year’s advertisement.
Applicants generally need to be South African citizens, have completed Matric, and be registered for full-time study at a recognised and accredited South African tertiary institution.
GrandWest Bursary
GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World has also offered bursaries to students from the Western Cape. The programme is designed to assist students with undergraduate studies in selected fields.
Possible fields include:
- Tourism and Hospitality
- Agriculture
- Human Resources
- Electrical Engineering
- Entrepreneurship
- Marketing
- Finance
- Information Technology
- Mechanical Engineering
Previous requirements included South African citizenship, residence in the Western Cape, completion of Matric in South Africa, and full-time undergraduate study.
The bursary has previously been linked to students studying at public institutions such as:
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Western Cape (UWC)
- Stellenbosch University
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
Students should confirm the latest participating institutions and eligibility requirements before submitting an application.
NSFAS Funding for Tourism Students
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is another important funding option for eligible South African students. Although NSFAS is not specifically a tourism bursary, it can provide financial assistance for eligible students studying approved undergraduate qualifications.
NSFAS funding can potentially cover several study-related expenses, depending on the applicable funding rules. These may include tuition and registration as well as allowances for approved expenses such as accommodation, learning materials, and transport.
The key eligibility considerations include South African citizenship, household income, academic requirements, and whether the student’s qualification and institution are covered under current NSFAS funding rules.
Students from households receiving certain SASSA grants may also qualify subject to the applicable rules.
Because NSFAS policies, income thresholds, funding arrangements, and application dates can change, applicants should check the latest official NSFAS information before applying.
Careers in Tourism and Hospitality
A qualification in tourism can lead to a wide range of career opportunities. Students can work in hotels, resorts, travel agencies, airlines, event companies, tourism organisations, government departments, and conservation-related organisations.
Possible careers include:
- Tourism Officer
- Travel Consultant
- Hotel Manager
- Event Manager
- Travel Agency Manager
- Cabin Crew
- Tourism Marketing Executive
- Hospitality Manager
- Sales Executive
- Tour Guide
- Destination Manager
Subjects such as Mathematics, Hospitality Studies, Tourism, Mathematical Literacy, and other relevant subjects can help students prepare for different careers in this sector.
How to Apply for Tourism Bursaries
Students should carefully read the latest bursary advertisement before applying. Check the closing date, eligibility criteria, required documents, eligible qualifications, participating institutions, and funding conditions.
Commonly requested documents may include:
- South African ID
- Matric certificate or latest results
- Academic transcript
- Proof of registration
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residence
- Admission or acceptance letter
- Other supporting documents requested by the bursary provider
Applicants should submit complete and accurate applications before the closing date.
Conclusion
There are several opportunities for students interested in Tourism and Hospitality studies in South Africa. Programmes from organisations such as Sun City Resort, Access Trust, the Department of Tourism, GrandWest, and NSFAS can help eligible students reduce the financial burden of tertiary education.
However, bursary requirements and closing dates can change each year. Students should therefore verify the latest 2026 application information directly with the relevant bursary provider before applying. Starting the application process early and preparing all required documents can improve the chances of submitting a complete application on time.
