Who qualifies for the AgriSETA Bursary?

South African citizens accepted into or enrolled at a recognised institution for a qualification at NQF Level 6 or above (or a NATED programme at a public TVET or agricultural college). Unemployed learners can only be funded for agriculture-related qualifications; levy-paying employers may also apply for employees studying other qualifications on AgriSETA's sector priority occupations list.

How much does the AgriSETA Bursary cover?

AgriSETA's 2027/28 advert sets the bursary value at R70,800 per learner for both undergraduate and postgraduate study, with all expenses combined paid up to that maximum.

When is the AgriSETA Bursary deadline?

Applications for 2027 academic-year bursaries ran from 1 August to 15 September 2026 at 24h00 and have closed; late applications are not considered. AgriSETA says its window normally opens on 1 August and closes on 15 September each year, although it also ran a short extra window from 9 to 31 March 2026. As of 12 October 2026 no further window had been announced.

Can I apply to AgriSETA directly?

No. AgriSETA does not accept applications from individuals. Your university or college, an accredited training provider, or your employer in the agricultural sector must apply on your behalf, so speak to your institution's bursary office or your employer before the window opens.

Can I hold an AgriSETA bursary alongside NSFAS or another SETA?

No. AgriSETA will not fund students who receive funding from other sources such as NSFAS, the NSF, other SETAs, Funza Lushaka or other funders.

Agriculture

AgriSETA Bursary Programme

AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority)

The AgriSETA Bursary funds South African students in agriculture-related qualifications at NQF Level 6 and above (and NATED programmes at public TVET and agricultural colleges) through AgriSETA's annual discretionary grant window. AgriSETA does not accept applications from individuals: universities, colleges, accredited training providers and employers in the agricultural sector apply on behalf of their students and employees. Bursaries are worth up to R70,800 per learner per year for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Amount: Up to R70,800 per learner per year (undergraduate and postgraduate), with all expenses combined paid at actual cost up to that cap
Deadline: Closed 15 September 2026
Duration: Funded one academic year at a time; continuing learners must re-apply each year
Renewable: Yes

2027 applications closed

Visit official site

Eligible Fields of Study

AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority) supports students in the following disciplines

Primary agriculture

Horticulture

Aquaculture

Poultry production

Red meat

Grain handling

Milling

Fruit processing

Sugar

Seeds

Coffee, tea and fibre

Pest control

Tobacco

Rural development

Green industries / other agriculture-related disciplines

Eligibility Requirements

✓ Must be a South African citizen
✓ Must be accepted into or enrolled at a recognised South African university, university of technology or college before funding is applied for
✓ Qualification must be at NQF Level 6 or above (NATED courses at public TVET and agricultural colleges are the exception); short courses and certificates are not funded
✓ Unemployed learners: agriculture-related qualifications only. Employed learners: levy-paying employers may also apply for other qualifications on AgriSETA's sector priority occupations list
✓ The application must be submitted by an employer, institution or accredited training provider - AgriSETA does not consider individual applications
✓ Continuing learners must re-apply each year and have passed at least 50% of their registered modules; repeat modules are not funded
✓ May not receive funding from other sources such as NSFAS, the NSF, other SETAs or Funza Lushaka (no double-dipping)

What's Included

✓ Bursary of up to R70,800 per learner per year for undergraduate or postgraduate study
✓ Fees and other study expenses paid at actual cost, up to the combined R70,800 maximum
✓ Continuing funding in later years for learners who re-apply and meet the progress requirement

How to Apply

Steps to complete your AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority) bursary application

1
Get accepted at a recognised university, university of technology or agricultural/TVET college for an agriculture-related qualification
2
Ask your institution's bursary or financial aid office, an AgriSETA-accredited training provider, or your agricultural employer whether it applies to AgriSETA for bursaries - AgriSETA only accepts applications from organisations
3
The organisation completes AgriSETA's bursary application form during the discretionary grant window (1 August to 15 September 2026 for the 2027 academic year) and emails it, with its compulsory documents, to AgriSETA's designated bursary address
4
Continuing bursary holders are re-applied for each year with their mid-year results and latest statement of account
5
Watch the Discretionary Grants Funding page on agriseta.co.za and AgriSETA's social media for the next window

Required Documents

📄 Student's most recent examination results (new applications)
📄 Continuing learners: current mid-year results and the latest statement of account from the institution
📄 Applying organisation's documents: company registration, proof of accreditation or programme approval, SARS tax compliance status PIN, and WSP/ATR and EMP201 where applicable
📄 Any further documents your institution or employer requests, such as a certified ID copy and proof of registration

Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies for the AgriSETA Bursary?: South African citizens accepted into or enrolled at a recognised institution for a qualification at NQF Level 6 or above (or a NATED programme at a public TVET or agricultural college). Unemployed learners can only be funded for agriculture-related qualifications; levy-paying employers may also apply for employees studying other qualifications on AgriSETA's sector priority occupations list.
How much does the AgriSETA Bursary cover?: AgriSETA's 2027/28 advert sets the bursary value at R70,800 per learner for both undergraduate and postgraduate study, with all expenses combined paid up to that maximum.
When is the AgriSETA Bursary deadline?: Applications for 2027 academic-year bursaries ran from 1 August to 15 September 2026 at 24h00 and have closed; late applications are not considered. AgriSETA says its window normally opens on 1 August and closes on 15 September each year, although it also ran a short extra window from 9 to 31 March 2026. As of 12 October 2026 no further window had been announced.
Can I apply to AgriSETA directly?: No. AgriSETA does not accept applications from individuals. Your university or college, an accredited training provider, or your employer in the agricultural sector must apply on your behalf, so speak to your institution's bursary office or your employer before the window opens.
Can I hold an AgriSETA bursary alongside NSFAS or another SETA?: No. AgriSETA will not fund students who receive funding from other sources such as NSFAS, the NSF, other SETAs, Funza Lushaka or other funders.

2027 applications have closed

The 2027 application window closed on 15 September 2026.

AgriSETA runs one discretionary grant window a year, from 1 August to 15 September; the window for 2027 academic-year bursaries (financial year 2027/28) ran from 1 August to 15 September 2026 at 24h00 and has closed. AgriSETA also ran a short extra window from 9 to 31 March 2026 for 2026/27; no further window had been announced as of 12 October 2026.

Still need funding for 2027? See bursaries that are still open.

Check AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority)'s official site

Need help? Contact AgriSETA (Agriculture Sector Education Training Authority):

Email: info@agriseta.co.za

Phone: +27 (0)12 301 5600

Information verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

Other Agriculture bursaries

More funding opportunities in this field

SAAFoST Bursary

South African Association for Food Science and Technology (SAAFoST)

The SAAFoST Foundation funds full-time students entering food science and technology, one of South Africa's persistent scarce-skill areas. It runs a Matriculant Bursary for Grade 12 learners and an Undergraduate Bursary for students already studying food science and technology, each paying actual tuition fees of up to R60,000 a year and awarded on academic merit, employment equity and demonstrated potential. For 2027, matriculant applications close on 30 October 2026 and undergraduate applications on 29 January 2027.

View details →

Cape Wools SA Bursary Fund

Cape Wools SA - Wool Industry Bursary Trust (established by Cape Wools SA with support from the Wool Trust; administered in Gqeberha)

The Cape Wools SA Bursary Fund (Wool Industry Bursary Trust) supports students preparing for a career in the South African wool industry - wool/sheep-focused agricultural studies, or textile and fashion design with a wool focus. Awarded annually on merit, it can cover registration and tuition fees, materials and books, and accommodation. Half of the allocation is aimed at agricultural college students (or wool-focused fashion and textile students), 60% of funding is earmarked for previously disadvantaged individuals, and recipients commit to seeking work in the wool industry for a year per year funded.

View details →

Land Bank External Bursary Programme

Land and Agricultural Development Bank of South Africa (Land Bank) (administered in-house by Land Bank Human Resources)

The Land Bank External Bursary Programme funds South African students studying undergraduate agriculture at Agricultural Colleges registered with the Council on Higher Education (CHE). It covers full tuition fees plus prescribed books, a monthly living allowance, and accommodation and meal allowances where applicable. Preference is given to academically strong students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and rural areas.

View details →

View all agriculture bursaries →