Harmony Gold Bursary 2027 Opens for Engineering, Geology and Mining Students

Documents you will need

• Harmony requires applicants to submit the prescribed bursary form together with supporting documents.
• Certified copy of your South African identity document
• Certified proof of academic results
• Grade 11 December and Grade 12 mid-year or preliminary results for relevant school applicants
• Certified tertiary academic record if already studying
• Brief curriculum vitae of no more than three pages
• Proof of address
• Registration or acceptance letter from the institution
• Applicants should make sure every document remains clear and readable after scanning.
• In addition, use current documents wherever Harmony requests recent academic or registration information.
• Engineering applicants should check their Mathematics and Physical Science marks before spending time completing the full form. Harmony requires at least 70% in both subjects for Engineering studies, which is higher than the general 60% academic benchmark.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to Harmony Gold - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

Harmony Gold has opened its 2027 Bursary Programme for South African students who want to pursue full-time studies in mining, engineering and other relevant fields. Grade 12 learners and current tertiary students may qualify, while Engineering applicants need at least 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science. Applications close on 9 October 2026.

For students who see themselves building careers in South Africa’s mining industry, this programme offers more than a route into tertiary study. Harmony specifically uses its bursary programme to develop future talent for core and critical skills, while giving preference to suitable applicants from communities surrounding its operations.

Who can qualify for the Harmony Gold Bursary 2027?

Harmony accepts applications from candidates who plan to enter tertiary education as well as students who already study at an accredited institution.

Applicants must:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old
• Be South African citizens
• Have a valid South African identity document
• Hold a National Senior Certificate
• Have achieved at least 60% in all required school subjects
• Study or plan to study full-time
• Meet the academic requirements for their chosen field
• Provide a brief curriculum vitae of no more than three pages

Current tertiary students must also maintain an average of at least 60% in their major subjects.

Therefore, candidates should check both their school results and current tertiary performance before completing the application.

Which fields of study does Harmony Gold support?

Harmony’s 2027 application form lists several fields that connect directly with mining and mineral-resource operations.

Students can indicate an interest in:

• Electrical Engineering - Heavy Current only
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Geology
• Survey and Planning
• Extractive Metallurgy
• Other relevant fields

Harmony allocates bursaries according to its annual business requirements.

Generally, the company directs much of its bursary support towards core and critical disciplines, while it also considers non-core mining-related and other fields.

As a result, the availability of funding for fields outside the main list can depend on Harmony’s skills requirements for that year.

What marks do Engineering students need?

Engineering applicants face a higher academic requirement.

Candidates who plan to study Engineering need at least:

• Mathematics: 70%
• Physical Science: 70%

Meanwhile, Harmony lists a general benchmark of at least 60% for Mathematics, Science and English.

This difference matters.

Engineering candidates should not rely on the general 60% requirement if their intended programme falls within Engineering.

Instead, check that both Mathematics and Physical Science meet the 70% Engineering threshold.

Can Grade 12 learners submit an application?

Yes.

Harmony’s bursary programme accommodates students who plan to enter tertiary education.

Grade 12 applicants should prepare certified proof of their academic performance.

In particular, Harmony asks school applicants to provide:

• Grade 11 December results
• Grade 12 mid-year results or preliminary results

Therefore, current Matric learners do not need to wait until they receive their final National Senior Certificate results before completing the 2027 bursary application.

However, applicants must still meet the relevant academic requirements.

Can current university students qualify?

Yes.

Harmony also accepts students who already study at accredited tertiary institutions.

Current students need an average of at least 60% in their major subjects.

In addition, they must provide information such as:

• Name of institution
• Current year of study
• Expected year of study in 2027
• Field and course of study
• Student number
• Certified academic record

This makes the bursary relevant not only to first-year students but also to eligible students progressing through their qualifications.

Must applicants study full-time?

Yes.

Harmony provides these bursaries for full-time study at accredited tertiary institutions.

Therefore, candidates planning to study part-time should not assume that they meet the programme requirements.

Applicants should also confirm that their chosen institution and programme meet the relevant accreditation requirements.

Does Harmony give preference to local communities?

Harmony’s bursary scheme aims to recruit bursars preferably from communities surrounding its mining operations.

As a result, applicants should provide their residential information accurately and include the required proof of address.

However, living near a Harmony operation does not replace the programme’s academic requirements.

Candidates still need to meet the qualification, citizenship, age and academic criteria.

Never change or misrepresent your residential information simply to appear eligible for preference.

Which documents must applicants prepare?

Harmony requires applicants to submit the prescribed bursary form together with supporting documents.

Prepare:

Applicants should make sure every document remains clear and readable after scanning.

In addition, use current documents wherever Harmony requests recent academic or registration information.

Engineering applicants should check their Mathematics and Physical Science marks before spending time completing the full form. Harmony requires at least 70% in both subjects for Engineering studies, which is higher than the general 60% academic benchmark.

What should your curriculum vitae include?

Harmony asks for a brief curriculum vitae with a maximum of three pages.

Therefore, avoid filling it with information that does not help the bursary assessment.

Focus on areas such as:

• Personal and contact information
• Education
• Academic achievements
• Leadership experience
• Extracurricular activities
• Relevant employment or practical exposure
• Skills
• Achievements connected to your chosen field

If you have visited a mine, smelter, refinery or another mining operation, you can also provide accurate details where the application asks for them.

Most importantly, keep the document focused and easy to scan.

Why does Harmony ask about leadership and activities?

The application form asks candidates about leadership roles, sport, hobbies and other interests.

These questions give Harmony a broader view of the applicant beyond examination marks.

For example, leadership experience can show responsibility, while extracurricular involvement may demonstrate commitment, teamwork or discipline.

However, applicants should not invent positions simply to make the application stronger.

Instead, use genuine examples from:

• School
• University
• Community organisations
• Sports teams
• Clubs
• Volunteer activities
• Student leadership

Specific examples usually communicate more than generic statements about being a leader.

How should applicants explain their chosen field?

Harmony asks applicants to explain why they chose their course.

This section gives candidates an opportunity to connect their academic interests with their longer-term career goals.

For instance, a Mining Engineering applicant could explain what interests them about mine design, production or safe mineral extraction.

Likewise, an Extractive Metallurgy student could discuss an interest in mineral processing and recovering valuable metals from ore.

Keep the motivation personal and specific to your actual career goals.

Avoid generic statements that could apply to every bursary applicant.

Can students with existing funding still complete the form?

The Harmony application asks applicants whether they already receive educational support such as:

• A bursary
• Scholarship
• Student loan
• Sponsorship
• Other educational funding

It also asks whether the funding carries a service obligation.

Therefore, students who already receive support should disclose it accurately.

Existing funding does not justify leaving the section blank or providing incomplete information.

Harmony will assess the information as part of the application.

Can applicants with disabilities submit an application?

Yes.

Harmony welcomes applications from people with disabilities.

However, the company notes that selection may also consider the physical demands associated with the occupation linked to the qualification.

Applicants should provide accurate information where the form asks about disability.

What does the Harmony Gold bursary cover?

Harmony’s current 2027 application information does not provide a detailed public breakdown of individual expenses such as tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks or allowances.

Therefore, applicants should avoid assuming that every possible study expense automatically forms part of the award.

Harmony can communicate the final bursary conditions and funding arrangements to successful candidates.

Until then, treat detailed funding figures published elsewhere cautiously unless Harmony confirms them.

Is there a work opportunity after completing your studies?

Harmony uses its bursary programme as part of its broader talent-development strategy.

The company also operates a Graduate Development Programme for Harmony bursars who successfully complete their qualifications.

That connection can provide bursars with further development opportunities after graduation.

However, students should not interpret the bursary itself as an automatic guarantee of permanent employment.

Selection for later programmes can depend on requirements and available opportunities.

How can candidates submit the Harmony Gold bursary application?

Harmony uses a downloadable application form rather than a standard online application form.

Applicants should download the prescribed form through the official Harmony Gold student opportunities page.

Complete the form fully in block letters using black ink and attach all required supporting documents.

Then email the completed application to:

[email protected]

Closing date: 9 October 2026

Harmony states that it will not consider late applications.

Therefore, candidates should avoid waiting until the final day to obtain certified results, academic transcripts, proof of address or university documentation.

What happens after submitting the application?

Harmony limits correspondence to shortlisted candidates.

The bursary documentation states that applicants who receive no correspondence within 21 days should regard their applications as unsuccessful.

Therefore, candidates should make sure the email address and telephone number on the application remain active and correct.

Check your email regularly after submitting, including your spam or junk folder.

How can applicants avoid common mistakes?

Several small mistakes can weaken an otherwise eligible application.

Before sending your documents, make sure you have not:

• Left compulsory sections blank
• Used an outdated academic record
• Forgotten your proof of address
• Submitted an uncertified identity document
• Exceeded the three-page curriculum vitae limit
• Forgotten your registration or acceptance letter
• Entered incorrect marks
• Selected the wrong field of study
• Forgotten to sign the declaration
• Used an incorrect email address
• Submitted after the deadline

In addition, Engineering applicants should double-check the higher Mathematics and Physical Science requirement.

Meeting 60% generally does not mean you meet the 70% Engineering requirement.

What should you check before sending your application?

Use this final checklist:

• Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
• Are you a South African citizen?
• Do you have a valid South African identity document?
• Do you meet the required academic marks?
• If applying for Engineering, do you have at least 70% for Mathematics and Physical Science?
• If already at university, do you average at least 60% in your major subjects?
• Will you study full-time?
• Have you prepared your certified academic results?
• Do you have your proof of address?
• Is your curriculum vitae no longer than three pages?
• Do you have your registration or acceptance letter?
• Have you completed every section of the application form?
• Have you signed the declaration?
• Have you attached every required document?
• Will you submit before 9 October 2026?

Finally, review the email attachments before pressing send.

One missing document can create an unnecessary problem in an otherwise strong bursary application.

Final Thoughts

The Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027 gives South African Grade 12 learners and current tertiary students an opportunity to pursue full-time studies in fields linked to mining and mineral resources.

Students can pursue disciplines such as Mining Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Geology, Survey and Planning, and Extractive Metallurgy, while Harmony may also consider other fields according to business needs.

However, applicants should pay close attention to the academic thresholds. Engineering students need at least 70% in Mathematics and Physical Science, while current tertiary students need at least a 60% average in their major subjects.

With applications closing on 9 October 2026, eligible candidates should prepare the prescribed form and supporting documents early and send the completed application to [email protected] before the deadline.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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