Who is eligible for the Glencore Coal Bursary?

You must be a South African citizen who has completed Matric / Grade 12 (or are an undergraduate in your 1st-3rd year) and are entering or in the early years of study at an accredited South African institution. Most engineering disciplines require strong marks in Mathematics, Physical Science and English, and university students must have an overall average of 60% or higher. Applicants must not be receiving other bursary funding, and preference is given to those from communities near Glencore Coal operations.

What does the bursary cover?

It is a comprehensive, full-cost bursary covering registration, tuition, prescribed textbooks, meals and accommodation, financial assistance to buy a personal computer if prescribed by the university, and a personal allowance for additional expenses. It also includes a practical, on-the-job training component. The specific rand value is not publicly disclosed.

When and how do I apply?

The programme runs annually with an early-year application window (roughly February-March). For the 2026 academic year, applications closed on 7 March 2026. Apply online via the Glencore early-careers South Africa portal at glencore.com/careers/early-careers/south-africa. For queries, contact bursars.groupservices@glencore.co.za.

Engineering

Glencore Coal Bursary

Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team)

Glencore Coal South Africa offers a comprehensive, full-cost bursary to South African students pursuing mining, engineering and related technical qualifications at accredited South African universities. The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, textbooks and a personal allowance, and includes a practical, on-the-job training component, with preference given to applicants from communities near Glencore Coal operations. This entry covers the Coal division specifically; Glencore's Alloys/Ferroalloys division runs separate bursary and scholarship schemes.

Amount: Full-cost (comprehensive) bursary; specific rand value not publicly disclosed.
Deadline: To be announced
Renewable: Yes

2027 applications not yet open

Visit official site

Eligible Fields of Study

Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team) supports students in the following disciplines

Mining Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Metallurgical Engineering

Geology

Rock Engineering

Occupational Hygiene

Industrial Psychology

Financial/Management studies

Eligibility Requirements

✓ South African citizen
✓ Completed Matric / Grade 12, or currently enrolled as an undergraduate in 1st-3rd year of study
✓ Entering or already in the early years of study at an accredited South African tertiary institution
✓ Minimum Level 6 (70%) in Mathematics and Physical Science and Level 5 (60%) in English for most engineering disciplines (sources vary; some list a minimum Level 6 in English and Mathematics, and Level 5/60% for Mining Engineering specifically)
✓ University students must have passed all subjects with an overall average of 60% or higher
✓ Demonstrated financial need (must not be receiving any other bursary funding)
✓ Preference given to applicants residing in local communities near Glencore Coal operations
✓ Available to register and study full-time at a recognised South African institution; shortlisted candidates undergo assessments and interviews

What's Included

✓ Registration fees
✓ Tuition fees
✓ Prescribed textbooks
✓ Meals and accommodation
✓ Financial assistance to purchase a personal computer if prescribed by the University
✓ Personal allowance for additional expenses
✓ Practical, on-the-job (vacation / in-service) training component

Work Commitment

The bursary includes a practical, on-the-job (vacation / in-service) training component during studies. Bursars may be expected to be available for vacation work at Glencore Coal operations and, as is typical of full-cost mining bursaries, a potential work-back commitment after graduation; confirm exact obligations in your bursary agreement.

How to Apply

Steps to complete your Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team) bursary application

1
Visit the Glencore early-careers South Africa page at glencore.com/careers/early-careers/south-africa
2
Open the current Glencore Coal Bursary listing during the application window (typically February-March each year)
3
Register or log in to the Glencore careers application portal
4
Complete the online application form with your personal and academic details
5
Upload all required supporting documents
6
Submit your application before the closing date (7 March 2026 for the 2026 academic year)
7
Shortlisted candidates are contacted to undergo assessments and interviews; queries can be directed to bursars.groupservices@glencore.co.za

Required Documents

📄 Certified copy of South African ID
📄 Certified copy of latest Matric / Grade 12 results or final certificate
📄 Certified academic record / latest results for current university students
📄 Proof of registration or acceptance at an accredited South African tertiary institution
📄 Curriculum vitae (CV)
📄 Proof of residential address (to assess proximity to Glencore Coal operations)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for the Glencore Coal Bursary?: You must be a South African citizen who has completed Matric / Grade 12 (or are an undergraduate in your 1st-3rd year) and are entering or in the early years of study at an accredited South African institution. Most engineering disciplines require strong marks in Mathematics, Physical Science and English, and university students must have an overall average of 60% or higher. Applicants must not be receiving other bursary funding, and preference is given to those from communities near Glencore Coal operations.
What does the bursary cover?: It is a comprehensive, full-cost bursary covering registration, tuition, prescribed textbooks, meals and accommodation, financial assistance to buy a personal computer if prescribed by the university, and a personal allowance for additional expenses. It also includes a practical, on-the-job training component. The specific rand value is not publicly disclosed.
When and how do I apply?: The programme runs annually with an early-year application window (roughly February-March). For the 2026 academic year, applications closed on 7 March 2026. Apply online via the Glencore early-careers South Africa portal at glencore.com/careers/early-careers/south-africa. For queries, contact bursars.groupservices@glencore.co.za.
Which fields of study are supported?: The bursary focuses on mining-related and technical disciplines including Mining, Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering, Geology, Rock Engineering, Occupational Hygiene, Industrial Psychology and Financial/Management studies. Field and mark requirements vary slightly across third-party sources, so always confirm the current criteria on the official Glencore page.

When do 2027 applications open?

Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team) has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.

The last recorded window closed on 7 March 2026. Treat that as a guide to timing only — confirm the 2027 dates with Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team) before you rely on them.

Check Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team)'s official site

Need help? Contact Glencore (Glencore Coal South Africa; administered in-house by the Glencore Coal early-careers / Group Services bursary team):

Email: bursars.groupservices@glencore.co.za

Information verified 2026-03-07. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.

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