CUT Academic Merit Bursary (First-Year)

• Merit bursary amount is calculated from the six highest symbols in the final Grade 12 examination.
• Category A: R1 000 per A symbol on higher grade and R600 per A symbol on standard grade.
• Category B: R1 000.
• Category C (Top-Ten): awarded to the ten best first-year entrants; amount is set by CUT.
• Criteria and amounts are reviewed annually.

The 2027 undergraduate application cycle (which first-year bursary candidates apply through) opens in April 2026 and closes on 30 September 2026; there are no late or walk-in applications. Research Master's and Doctoral applications for 2027 close on 30 March 2027.

1. Apply for admission to a CUT diploma or degree programme through the online enrolment portal (new, re-applying or continuing student).
2. Upload the required documents with your application.
3. Qualifying first-year students are considered for the Academic Merit Bursary and the related recruitment bursaries automatically, based on their final Grade 12 results, once registered; there is no separate bursary application form.
4. For bursary and loan queries, contact the CUT Financial Aid Officers via [email protected] or +27 (0)51 507 3334.

See the Fees, Bursaries & Loans page.

• Current matriculants: final Grade 11 results or June Grade 12 results, if available.
• Already-matriculated applicants: certified ID and National Senior Certificate (certification dated within the last 3 months).

The Academic Merit Bursary is calculated directly from the six highest symbols in the candidate's final Grade 12 examination. The Top-Ten and Leadership awards instead use a points threshold on the CUT scoring scale (42 points for Top-Ten, 27 points for Leadership) combined, for Leadership, with a recognised school leadership role.