South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) Bursary

Fields of study

The following qualifications will be covered: Undergraduate Qualifications

• Animal Production with a focus on Aquaculture (BSc)
• Applied Geology (BSc)
• Aquaculture (Certificate course)
• Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc)
• Geology Sciences (BSc)
• Logistics (Diploma)
• Marine Electronics Communication Engineering (National Diploma)
• Marine Engineering (BEng)
• Marine Engineering (BEng Tech)
• Marine Engineering (BEng Tech Honours)
• Marine Engineering (Diploma)
• Marine Science (Diploma)
• Maritime Studies (Diploma)
• Maritime Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
• Maritime Transportation and Logistics (BSc / BCom)
• Meteorology (Diploma)
• Microbiology (BSc)
• Nautical Studies (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
• Oceanography (BSc)
• Port & Harbour Engineering (National Diploma)
• Shipping and Logistics (Diploma / Advanced Diploma)
• Transport Management (Diploma)
• Zoology and Entomology (BSc)

Postgraduate Qualifications: Honours Qualifications

• Aquaculture (Postgraduate Diploma)
• Aquatic Health (BSc Hons)
• Environmental Sciences / Environmental Management / Environmental Studies (BSc Hons)
• Geological Sciences / Applied Geology (BSc Hons)
• Marine Ecology (BSc Hons)
• Marine and Environmental Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
• Maritime Economics (BCom Hons)
• Maritime Law (Postgraduate Diploma)
• Maritime Studies (Postgraduate Diploma)
• Maritime Transport (Postgraduate Diploma)
• Maritime Transport Economics (BCom Hons)
• Oceanography (BSc Hons)
• Zoology and Entomology (BSc Hons)

Masters Qualifications

• Applied Geology (MSc)
• MBA with a focus on a maritime related research topic
• Marine and Environmental Law: LLM Professional Master’s / LLM degree by coursework and minor dissertation / MPhil degree by coursework and minor dissertation
• Marine and Ship Surveying (Master of Laws)
• Maritime Management (Masters)
• Maritime Studies (Master of Laws)
• Maritime Studies (MPhil / MCom)
• Ocean Governance (Master of Laws)
• Oceanography (MSc)
• Philosophy in Ports and Shipping (Masters)
• Shipping Law (Master of Laws)
• Zoology and Entomology (MSc)

PhD Qualifications

• Applied Geology (PhD)
• Botany (PhD)
• DBA with a focus on a maritime related research topic
• Development Studies with a focus on a maritime related research topic (PhD)
• Marine and Ship Surveying (PhD)
• Maritime Law (PhD)
• Microbiology (PhD)
• Oceanography (PhD)
• Shipping Law (PhD)
• Zoology and Entomology (PhD)

Who can apply

• Be a South African citizen
• Be a female student
• Be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
• Be currently in Matric or have completed Matric
• Be studying or provisionally accepted to study towards a full-time Maritime-related undergraduate qualification
• Be studying or provisionally accepted to study at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• Have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%, if currently studying (academic progress will be considered)
• Achieved A and B symbols in Matric
• Fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

Honours and Masters students

• Be a South African citizen
• Be a female student
• Be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
• Be studying towards a Maritime-related qualification
• Be studying at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• Have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress will be considered)
• Have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% at Undergraduate level and a minimum overall average of 65% at Honours level
• Fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

PhD students

• Be a South African citizen
• Be a female student
• Be from a previously disadvantaged, designated group (this includes Black Africans, Coloureds and Indians, according to the definition of the Black Economic Empowerment Act of 2003)
• Be studying towards a Maritime-related qualification
• Be studying at an accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
• Have completed at least 1 year of study (academic progress will be considered)
• Have achieved a minimum overall average of 70% at Master’s level
• Fall within the “missing middle” financial category (your parents must earn between R350 000 and R600 000 per year)

What the bursary covers

• Tuition fees
• Textbooks
• As well as a subsidized accommodation
• Meal allowance

Documents you will need

• ID document (certified copy)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Most recent results, if currently in Matric (certified copy)
• Academic transcript, if currently studying (certified copy)
• Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead) (if you have not registered, you must submit this after registration)
• Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or SASSA grant if applicable)
• Motivational letter (maximum 500 words) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
• ID document (certified copy)
• All relevant qualifications and academic transcripts (certified copies)
• Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or grant if applicable)
• Motivational paper one of the research topics and the research proposal – problem statement and the importance of your study (research) to society (maximum 800 words)
• ID document (certified copy)
• All relevant qualifications and academic transcripts (certified copies)
• Provisional letter of acceptance from tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• Official quotation for tuition fees and textbooks, if already registered (on institutions letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents or death certificate if deceased (certified copies)
• Parents or guardians proof of household income (payslips if employed, affidavit if unemployed, proof of pension or grant if applicable)
• Motivational paper one of the research topics and the research proposal – problem statement and the importance of your study (research) to society (maximum 800 words)

Full bursary documents checklist

How to apply

1. Check the requirements

   Make sure you meet every requirement listed above. Applications that miss one are usually rejected automatically.

2. Prepare your documents

   Scan clear copies of everything the provider asks for, certified where required.

3. Apply through the official channel
   Email [email protected]Email [email protected]

   Undergraduate students: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf) Honours or Masters student: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf) PhD students: SAIMI Bursary Application Form 2026 (.pdf)

   Note: please ensure that you read and agree to all the terms and conditions on the bursary application form before applying.

   Note: applicants must be submitted in PDF format, and must be clear and complete.

4. Submit before the closing date

   Usually closes around December. Late applications are almost never accepted.

Applications for the current cycle have closed. This bursary usually opens again each year, so prepare your documents now and check back.

Genuine bursaries never charge an application fee. How to spot bursary scams

Contact the bursary provider

• Email [email protected]
• Email [email protected]
• Phone 041 504 4038

Contact the provider only with questions about this bursary. StudentBursaries.co.za does not process applications.

About South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI)

The South Africa International Maritime Institute (SAIMI) was set up by SAMSA and Nelson Mandela University to build skills for the oceans economy.