Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary

Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary is a teaching bursary and offers support to students who want to become a teacher. The provider of the bursary is the Department of Basic Education in South Africa. It is a multi-year bursary and its goal is to support teaching in public schools.

The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a very popular bursary in South Africa. If you want to make a difference and become a teacher, the Funza bursary could be an option to fund your study. They offer support to undergraduate students who want to become a teacher, and they also offer a 1-year post-graduate bursary (PGCE)

What Is the Funza Lushaka Bursary?

It is a teaching bursary and offers support to students who want to become a teacher. The provider of the bursary is the Department of Basic Education in South Africa. It is a multi-year bursary and its goal is to support teaching in public schools. Funza Lushaka offers 2 different bursaries

  1. Bursary for Undergraduate Studies: this is a bachelor of education specialising in the different phases of education (Foundation phase, Intermediate phase, Senior phase and FET phase)
  2. Post Graduate Bursary : a 1 Year bursary for a PGCE certificate (Postgraduate Certificate in Education)

You will be required to teach at a public school. You will be assigned to a public school by the Department of Basic Education (you can not choose the school yourself)

What does the Funza Lushaka Bursary Cover?

Successful applicants will have the following covered through the Funza Lushaka bursary:

  • Tuition fees
  • Accommodation costs (for either residence or approved accommodation)
  • Meals
  • Small monthly allowance for living expenses
  • In exceptional circumstances, traveling costs may be included in the cost of traveling hiders the student from accepting the bursary

Who Can Apply For the Funza Lushaka Bursary?

First lets start by who can NOT apply for Funza Lushaka bursaries.

  • If you have a criminal record, if you are charged of misconduct, or if you are dismissed from work, applying for this bursary will be a waste of time.
  • Employees from Higher Education Institutions are not allowed to apply for this bursary and neither is their family.
  • if you already have some teaching qualifications, you are not allowed to receive this bursary

Besides stating who can not apply, they are also very clear about these guidelines:

  • The only to apply is by online application. They will not accept hard copies of printed forms
  • If you completed the Funza Lushaka online application, they require you to print it and keep it with you.

If you are still in the green after reading this, these are the mayors they will prefer you to study

Priority Area Subjects

Foundation Phase (Gr R-3, ages 5-9):

  • Foundation phase specialization

Intermediate Phase (Gr 4-6; ages 10-12): (2 of the following)

  • African Language
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Technology

Senior Phase (Gr 7-9; ages 13-15): (2 of the following)

  • African Languages
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Natural Sciences
  • Technology

FET Phase (Gr 10-12; ages 16-18): (2 of the following)

  • Accounting (our other accounting bursaries)
  • African Languages
  • Agricultural Sciences (our other Agriculture bursaries)
  • Agricultural Technology
  • Civil Technology
  • Computer Applications Technology
  • Economics
  • Electrical Technology
  • Engineering Graphics and Design
  • English Language
  • Geography
  • Information Technology
  • Life Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Mathematical Literacy
  • Mechanical Technology
  • Physical Sciences (Our other Physical science bursaries)

What Are the Requirements for the Funza Lushaka Application?

Applicants for the Funza Lushaka Bursary must meet the following basic requirements in order to be considered:

Basic requirements

  • Must be a South African citizen with a valid ID
  • Must have already been accepted to an appropriate field of study at a recognized higher education institution
  • Must be committed to and enthusiastic about a professional teaching career with interests that include working with young people, readiness to face and overcome challenges
  • Must have personal integrity
  • All first-time applicants have to be younger than 30 years old

First Time Entrants To University

  • You need proof you can start with your bachelor degree at Matric Grade 12
  • At least a 4 rating for the subjects you want to specialize in to become a teacher
  • You need to have passed Mathematics or mathematics literacy at Grade 12 level and a minimum level of 4 for home language if your intention is to specialize for foundation phase
  • If you have completed your Matric before 2008, you will need an average of 50% (before mathematics was compulsory)
  • If you want to specialize in the teaching of Technology subjects, you will need a level 4 pass for Mathematics. This also counts for CAT and for those students without these levels for matric

If you are a new applicant but already studying at University

  • You must have passed all your subjects in your last year of study.
  • At least an average score of 55% for your last year of study.
  • At least an average score of 55% for the subjects you intend to become a teacher in.
  • Take into account that the above requirements are the bare minimum. The Funza Lushaka bursary is for ambitious students. High Academic results will be awarded firstly.

Requirements for the PGCE Post Graduate Bursary

If you want to apply for the Funza postgraduate bursary there are some different requirements namely the following:

  • You need to be Academically qualified to do the Post Graduate degree
  • Foundation Phase: You need to have a Major in Psychology and African Language
  • Intermediate, senior and further phase: You will need to have majored for the subjects you want to specialize in
  • You will need TWO identified priority subjects at a second-year level (they really emphasize this)
  • You need adequate modules for the topics you decided to specialize in

Requirements for students who already have the Funza Lushaka Bursary

  • From your last year of study, you will need to have passed at least 66.6% of all your modules
  • The same counts for the priority subject areas
  • If you are only doing 1 major, you need to pass this major.
  • You need to be progressing to your next year of study
  • You need to have passed at least 50% of all the modules in your study

What Happens When You Completed Your Study With Funza Bursaries?

Before we go to explain how to apply for Funza, we want to emphasize what Funza expects from you when you completed your study.

  1. You will be required to work as a teacher on a public school for the same number of years you received their bursary.
  2. If you decide you dont want to teach at a public school, you need to repay the bursary (please read the small letters in the bursary contract)
  3. You need an email address and a phone number so Funza may contact you

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.