The Institute of Municipal Engineering of Southern Africa (IMESA) is the professional body for engineers who build and run municipal roads, water, sewerage and stormwater systems. IMESA funds a small number of civil engineering students each year from its own bursary scheme. The round for the 2027 study year closed at IMESA’s head office in Westville on 15 September 2026, so students who missed it will need to apply for 2028 instead.
Tuition and books, capped at R50 000
IMESA pays tuition fees and books only, up to a maximum of R50 000 per student for the 2027 study year. The Executive Committee reviews that cap and the total bursary budget every year. IMESA pays the money to the university or university of technology, normally within 60 days of receiving the institution’s statement. The scheme does not pay for accommodation, a living allowance, practical training or fees for years already completed.
Second year and up, at an ECSA-accredited institution
IMESA does not fund matriculants or first-year students. According to the 2027 application forms, the Executive Committee considers students who:
- study full time towards a civil engineering qualification, or another infrastructure engineering qualification that IMESA’s Executive Council approves
- attend a tertiary institution in South Africa whose programme is accredited by the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA)
- have passed their first year of study and their mid-year exams
- could not otherwise afford to study, which the applicant proves with an affidavit of the parents’ monthly income and the student’s own finances
Any bursary the student already holds from another organisation must be declared, and IMESA takes it into account before deciding on an award.
Form A or Form B: which one is yours
IMESA runs two versions of the scheme. Form B is for children of IMESA members who have belonged to the institute for five years or longer, and it exists partly to recognise those students’ achievements. Form A is for everyone else. Both forms are Word documents on the IMESA bursaries page, and IMESA disqualifies applications that use any other form or arrive incomplete or late.
The 2027 form asks for a certified copy of your mid-year results, a signed statement from your institution on your academic progress, details of any previous bursaries, your parent’s or guardian’s particulars, and notes on community, cultural and sporting activities. IMESA wants affidavits supporting the information on the form. Once IMESA awards a bursary, the first payment waits until the student hands in an acceptable medical certificate and proof of enrolment for the course.
Getting the form to Westville
IMESA’s head office accepts applications by email at bursaries@imesa.org.za or by post to The Admin Officer, IMESA, PO Box 2190, Westville, 3630. The office phone number on the forms is 031 266 3263. Because the deadline is the date IMESA must receive the form, posting it in the last week is a risk.
After the award: a mentor and a nudge towards local government
IMESA assigns each bursar a mentor and encourages bursars to take part in the institute’s activities. There is no work-back contract and IMESA does not promise a job, but it asks bursars to consider a career in local government after graduating. Students aiming for municipal infrastructure work can also look at the MISA Technical Bursary, which trains engineers for municipalities, and the SANRAL bursary for roads engineering. More options sit in our engineering bursaries list.
When to apply for 2028
IMESA’s forms set a standing rule: applications must reach the institute before 15 September of the year before the year of study. In 2026 the new forms went up in June. IMESA has not yet published forms for 2028 study, so check the bursaries page from mid-2027 and apply as soon as your mid-year results are out.
Can a first-year student apply to IMESA?
Yes, if you are in first year now and apply for the following year. IMESA funds the years after first year, so a first-year student who passes the mid-year exams can apply by 15 September for second-year funding.
Do I have to work for IMESA after I graduate?
No. IMESA does not employ its bursars or require service in return. It only asks them to consider working in local government.