Choosing a career path can be a difficult decision. To choose the right career, you need to first find out what you like and enjoy doing. Take some time to do research and consider your options. Read up on career websites and newspapers and consider job shadowing, learnerships, or volunteering in your field of choice before making your final decision.

Perhaps you want to apply for a bursary or an internship but don’t know where to begin. We’ve put some information together on the various options available to help you make the best decision for your future. 

1. Bursaries 

A bursary is a financial award made by an institution to individuals who can't afford to pay tuition fees. Bursaries are usually renewed each year, provided that the student is making satisfactory progress. In terms of the national and provincial government, bursaries are allocated based on the needs of a specific province such as engineering, nursing, or teaching etc. The following bursary opportunities are either a full, partial, or work-back bursary. 

To apply for one of the bursaries listed below, you should contact the relevant government department, university, or public entity directly.

Western Cape Government bursaries

We offer various bursaries, internships and learnerships across all departments that’ll allow graduates to receive mentoring, on-the-job training and exposure to skills training and development that’ll make you more employable. You can visit our website to see what opportunities are available throughout the year.

Universities in the Western Cape

• The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) offers bursaries to first-year and returning students. For more information visit the CPUT undergraduate funding page. 
• The University of Cape Town (UCT) offers many undergraduate and postgraduate funding options depending on the qualification you want to pursue.
• The University of the Western Cape (UWC) offers various partial and full-time bursaries and loans to students. 
• Depending on the qualification you're studying towards, Stellenbosch University offers several funding and bursary opportunities for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. 

Bursaries offered by national departments

• The National Student Financial Aid Service (NSFAS) provides financial aid to eligible students at public Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and public universities. For example, the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) offers Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)  bursaries for education and training courses at TVET Colleges across South Africa. Other bursaries are also available, which will vary from college to college.
• The Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme offers full-cost bursaries to eligible students who want to complete a full teaching qualification in an area of national priority. If you receive this bursary, you'll be required to teach at a public school once you’ve completed your studies. 
• The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has a comprehensive database of bursary opportunities in higher education available on the NYDA youth portal. The database is searchable by career category and includes information on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, contact details and conditions.
• The Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) offers bursaries for students intending to study towards a qualification as a chartered accountant at universities accredited by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). Have a look at AGSA's bursary guide for more information.
• The Thuthuka Bursary,  was established in 2005 by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and supports disadvantaged African and coloured students who want to study to become CAs(SA).  Find out how you can apply.
   
• The National Arts Council (NAC) offer bursaries to those who'd like to pursue the arts, such as craft, dance, literature, multidiscipline, music, theatre, and visual arts. Read more about the opportunities on offer.
• The National Skills Fund (NSF) offers annual bursaries to increase the number of skilled workers and to stabilise South Africa's economy. These bursaries are for candidates to gain their first degree and candidates doing practical training and is not available for postgraduate studies. For more information, call the Department of Labour at 021 466 7160 or 012 309 4000.

Bursaries offered by public entities

• The Transnet Bursary Scheme offers full-time bursaries every year according to the employment needs of the company.
   
• The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) offers undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries for studies in science, engineering, research, technology development and innovation.

Other bursaries

• The Chevening Scholarships in South Africa offer opportunities and financial support to study for a Masters degree at one of the United Kingdom's leading universities and to become part of an influential and highly regarded global network. 
• The Anglo-American mining company offers bursary and graduate opportunities to top-performing learners interested in disciplines or fields of study relevant to the mining industry, such as Mining, Engineering, Process, Geosciences and Finance, through its Blast Programme.
• The Nedbank Bursary Fund awards bursaries to students who need help to meet the costs of studying at higher education institutions full-time.

2. Learnerships on offer in the Western Cape

Learnerships are learning programmes that lead to an occupational qualification. This includes classroom-based learning at the institute and on-the-job training at our research farms. The learnerships available are:

• The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) is a government body that organises  education and training programmes within a specific sector. There are 21 sectors, and each sector has its own SETA.
  

3. Internships, apprenticeships and artisanships  

Internships provide real-world experience to those looking to explore or gain the relevant knowledge and skills required to enter into a particular career field.  

• The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) offers various exciting and hands-on internship programmes.
   
• The 21 Services Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) offer various internship and training programmes within the different sectors.
• DST-NRF Internship Programme aims to provide university graduates and postgraduates with work experience in science, engineering and technology to improve their chances of finding a job.
  

Apprenticeships provide on-the-job training and are often accompanied by coursework.

• College of Cape Town's Mechanical Engineering: Practical Skills Course offers courses to those who wish to further their knowledge in their field of work.
   
• Matriculants interested in becoming an artisan (e.g. a motor mechanic, plumber, electrician, etc) can register with the National Artisan Development Support Centre (NADSC). 
   
• The Artisan Training Institute (ATI) offers training services, including pre-evaluation of students' trainability, entrance levels and trade test readiness.