UCT Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Scholarship South Africa 2026

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – UCT & KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE

The University of Cape Town is one of the top academic tertiary institutions in South Africa. Their main mission is to produce individuals who portray excellent leadership qualities as well as strong social justice, and who will later play important roles in government, business, civil society, and industry in South Africa and Africa as a whole.

The Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Scholarships, awarded to UCT students each year, is named after the famous Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Klaus-Jürgen Bathe is an American Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, teaching and performing research in various areas of applied and computational mechanics of electromagnetics, structures, and fluids. Professor Bathe also leads the development of the world-famous ADINA system that is used for analysis in Mechanical Engineering; as well as being the Founder of the company ADINA R & D, Inc. Other achievements Professor Bathe has accomplished are becoming a publisher of many articles, textbooks and a book; co-editing an international journal; as well as editing the proceeds of 19 M.I.T Conferences.

Professor Bathe has been honoured by universities around the world, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, M.I.T, the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, and the American Society of Civil Engineers for his work, teaching, development of software, contributions to computational mechanics, and more. Professor Bathe graduated from UCT in 1967 and has established and maintained strong relations with the institution. During his time at the university, he became the Gold Medalist of the Faculty of Engineering and has since, for the past 20 years, become the sponsor of the Klaus-Jürgen Bathe undergraduate scholarships programmes.

ABOUT THE KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is inviting students to apply for the Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Leadership Scholarship, for the 2026 academic year.

Scholarships will be awarded for undergraduate studies at UCT, in ANY field, to students with strong academic records, who demonstrate leadership skills and experience in extracurricular activities, community service or other areas.

MORE ABOUT THE KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME – COVERAGE VALUE & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

The scholarship will provide partial cover for the following expenses, valued at R120 000 per year: tuition fees, books, stationery, accommodation and living expenses.

Scholars will be selected based on the following main criteria: academic merit, demonstrated leadership and a willingness to serve the public and the community. Financial need will also be considered, but will not be a major factor.

Funding is awarded for 1 academic year, and renewable for the second year subject to maintaining good academic standing.

The Funding Office will submit the applications of the eligible students to Professor Bathe, who will assist in the selection of the students to be awarded the scholarship.

Successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not receive any feedback, please consider your application unsuccessful.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE SCHOLARSHIP

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

You must be a South African citizen
You must be studying towards an Undergraduate qualification in ANY field, at the University of Cape Town (in any of the 6 faculties)
You must be entering your final 2 years of study (the bursary does NOT fund postgraduate studies)
You must have a strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 60% and NO failed modules
You must have demonstrated leadership skills
You must have participated in extracurricular activities, community service or other areas
You must have a total household family income of NOT more than R1,2 million per annum
You must NOT be receiving any other funding that exceeds this scholarship value

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE SCHOLARSHIP

Download and complete the UCT KJB Leadership Scholarship Application Form 2026 (.pdf)

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the Klaus-Jürgen Bathe Scholarship.

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

ID document (certified copy)
Matric certificate
Full academic record (on UCT letterhead)
Proof of any leadership positions (at school, university and in your community)
Motivational letter highlighting your life goals and reasons for applying (2 pages – see application form for more details) (read our tips on how to write a motivational letter for your bursary application)
Parents or guardians proof of family income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit if unemployed)
Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copy)

Applications must be submitted via email to: fastudents@uct.ac.za
(Insert the words “KJB Scholarship 2026” in the email subject line).

CLOSING DATE FOR THE KLAUS-JÜRGEN BATHE SCHOLARSHIP

28 July 2025.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

CONTACT THE SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER

For any queries related to this scholarship programme, please contact UCT directly:
Contact person: Mary Hilton (Programme Manager)
Tel: 073 236 5783
Email: mary.hilton@uct.ac.za

Please do NOT contact UCT if this bursary has already closed. View our other bursaries open for application here: https://www.zabursaries.co.za/bursary-news/

This bursary listing was last updated in June 2025.

SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.