The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) is a South African government department dedicated to building a better life for all citizens. DSAC’s mission is to transform the delivery of sports, arts, and culture by ensuring equitable access, fostering development, and achieving excellence in participation. Through these efforts, DSAC aims to harness socio-economic contributions to improve the lives of everyone in the country via sports, arts, and culture.
About the DSAC Bursary Programme – Fields Covered
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture invites students to apply for their bursary programme for the 2025 academic year. Bursaries are available for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies in heritage-related programmes, specifically in these fields:
- Anthropology, preferably for Postgraduates specialising in Forensics
- Archaeology, preferably for Postgraduates specialising in Bioarchaeology
- Geography and Geomatic sciences, preferably for Postgraduates specialising in Cartography and GIS
- Archives and Records Management
- Library and Information Sciences
- Conservation of the built environment, including preventive conservation (only as a field of study, not a specific course/subject)
- Heritage and Museum Studies
- Palaeontology
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) or courses contributing to the preservation and promotion of IKS and S.A. Living Heritage
- History
- Digitisation of heritage resources
More About the DSAC Bursary Programme – Expenses Covered
The bursary covers up to R110,000 per student and is paid directly to the higher education institution. It covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Full prescribed book costs
- Electronic devices up to R10,000 (students must provide 3 receipts/invoices)
- Accommodation up to R50,000 (where applicable)
- Meals up to R18,500 (where applicable)
- Transport up to R10,000 (where applicable)
Successful applicants will need to sign a contract with the Department. If you are selected, you will be contacted by 31 March 2025. If you don’t hear back by this date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Eligibility Requirements for the DSAC Bursary
To apply, you must meet these criteria:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be 40 years old or younger
- Be currently in Matric (in 2024) or have completed Matric
- Be studying or planning to study towards an Undergraduate or Postgraduate qualification in one of the heritage-related programmes listed above
- Be studying or have been accepted/provisionally accepted at an institution accredited and registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training
- Have a strong academic record
- NOT be currently employed full-time in the private sector, government, or state agencies with a salary of more than R130,000
- NOT be receiving any other bursary funding
How to Apply for the DSAC Bursary
Submit your application online at: https://dsacevents.dsac.gov.za/dsacHer_Burs_2025/front_page.php
Enter “busa.hlayiso.com” when asked how you heard about the DSAC bursary.
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documents with your application:
- ID document (certified copy)
- Latest Matric results/certificate (certified copy)
- Most recent academic record if currently studying (certified copy)
- Proof of provisional acceptance/admission at university
- Postgraduate students: progress report from your supervisor if writing a dissertation or thesis (on university letterhead)
Closing Date
31 January 2025 – be sure to apply before this date to be considered.
Contact Details
For any queries related to this bursary programme, contact the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture directly:
- Contact page: https://www.dsac.gov.za/contactus