The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invites South African undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for the DSAC Heritage Studies Bursaries Programme for the 2026 academic year
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursaries 2026
Heritage-Related and International Studies Funding in South Africa
The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) invites South African undergraduate and postgraduate students to apply for the DSAC Heritage Studies Bursary Programme for the 2026 academic year. This bursary supports students studying heritage-related programmes, including selected international studies, at institutions accredited by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).
About the DSAC Bursary Programme 2026
The DSAC bursary aims to develop skills and capacity in heritage, culture, conservation, and knowledge preservation disciplines. Funding is available to full-time students who demonstrate strong academic performance and financial need.
DSAC Bursary Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must be 40 years old or younger
- Must be registered as a full-time undergraduate or postgraduate student
- Must study in a heritage-related field
- Must have a minimum academic average of 65%
- Must be registered at a DHET-accredited institution
- Must not be receiving funding from another bursary or donor
- Must not be employed full-time
- If employed part-time, annual gross income must not exceed R130,000 per annum
- Certified proof of income is required if employed
Value of the DSAC Bursary
The maximum bursary value is R110,000 per student, paid directly to the institution of higher learning.
Bursary Coverage Includes:
- Full tuition fees
- Prescribed textbooks
- Electronic device (up to R10,000)
- Accommodation: up to R50,000 (where applicable)
- Meals: up to R18,500 (where applicable)
- Transport: up to R10,000 (where applicable)
Note: All funds are paid directly to the institution.
Approved Fields of Study (Local)
The DSAC bursary supports the following heritage-related qualifications:
- Physical and Biological Anthropology
- Archaeology (including Maritime and Underwater Cultural Heritage Archaeology)
- Geography and Geomatic Sciences
- Preference for postgraduates specialising in Cartography and GIS
- Archives and Records Management
- Library and Information Sciences
- Conservation of the Built Environment
- Preference for postgraduate studies in Conservation
- Heritage and Museum Studies (Management, Curatorship, Preservation)
- Palaeontology
- Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS)
- History
- Digitisation of Heritage Resources
International Studies Supported by DSAC
The bursary also supports selected international heritage programmes, including:
- Maritime Archaeology and Underwater Cultural Heritage
- Digital Archaeology
- Heritage Conservation and Preservation
SEE ALSO: Master Builders Association Bursaries 2026
Required Documents for DSAC Bursary Application
All applicants must submit the following certified documents.
Certified copies must not be older than three (3) months.
- Certified copy of a valid South African ID
- Letter of provisional acceptance or proof of registration
- Must be on the institution’s official letterhead and signed
- Screenshots will not be accepted
- Certified copy of Matric certificate
- Certified copy of latest academic results or progress report
- Certified proof of parent or guardian household income
- Certified latest payslip (if applicable)
- Proof of disability (if applicable)
- Affidavit confirming the authenticity of parents’ or guardians’ payslips