Eskom recruited its 2027 bursars through the Eskom careers portal, and the Grade 12 round closed on 22 September 2026. The adverts targeted learners writing matric in 2026 and young people who finished matric in 2025, all aiming to start a first year of study in 2027. If you missed that date, this page explains how the last round worked so you are ready when Eskom advertises again.
Eskom funds more than engineers
Eskom’s bursary scheme has run since the 1970s and, by Eskom’s own count, has supported more than 10,000 students. Engineering remains the core: in February 2025 Eskom announced 138 new engineering bursaries, and graduates typically start as Engineers in Training in Generation, Distribution or the National Transmission Company South Africa. In February 2026 Eskom said it had awarded 200 bursaries for the year across engineering, the sciences and other fields tied to the energy transition.
For the 2027 intake Eskom also ran a separate Non-Technical Degree Bursary Programme for Grade 12 applicants. That advert listed these degree fields:
- Land surveying, geomatics and geographic information systems
- Physics, chemistry, mathematics, applied mathematics and statistics
- Actuarial science, data science, computer science, information technology and information systems
- Accounting science, economics and econometrics, and financial management
- Environmental and water science
- Industrial relations, industrial psychology, psychology, social science and human resources
- Law, logistics, supply chain management, quantity surveying, project management and safety management
- Nursing and radiology
The non-technical programme covers degrees at public universities only. Eskom stated plainly that diploma qualifications would not be considered in that stream.
What Eskom asked of Grade 12 applicants
- South African citizenship
- Final Grade 11 results (for current matrics) or a Grade 12 certificate (for the class of 2025)
- Conditional acceptance at a public university for one of the listed degrees
- No other bursary held at the same time
- Willingness to sit a psychometric assessment if Eskom asks
Eskom did not publish a minimum percentage in the non-technical advert, so a strong Grade 11 report and an early university application carry real weight.
Applying on the Eskom portal, step by step
- Register on the Eskom careers portal bursary page with an email address, password and cellphone number.
- Open the bursary advert that matches your field and click Apply.
- Enter your ID number and upload a CV (PDF, DOC, DOCX or TXT, up to 10 MB).
- Attach your Grade 11 or Grade 12 results and your conditional acceptance letter.
The 2027 adverts took applications through this portal. On 1 October 2026 the portal’s bursary list was empty because the 2027 adverts had expired.
After 22 September: Eskom’s 28-day rule
Eskom’s advert told applicants to treat their application as unsuccessful if nobody from Eskom made contact within 28 days of the closing date. For the 2027 round, that window runs to about 20 October 2026. Shortlisted matrics should keep their phones on and check the email address used to register.
If Eskom does not call, apply to other utilities and infrastructure funders while there is still time. The Transnet bursary funds a similar mix of engineering and non-technical degrees, and our engineering bursaries hub lists other companies that take matric applicants.
Can I keep another bursary if Eskom selects me?
No. Eskom’s 2027 non-technical advert excluded applicants who already hold another bursary.
Does Eskom fund diploma students at TVET colleges?
Not through the non-technical degree programme, which ruled diplomas out. Eskom’s engineering adverts are separate; check the portal when the next intake opens to see which qualifications each advert accepts.