Jones & Wagener Bursary 2027

About the Provider

Jones & Wagener (J&W) is a professional consulting engineering and science firm founded in 1966, with a strong presence in South Africa's infrastructure and mining sectors. The company specialises in designing, developing, and implementing cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges that span the full project lifecycle from investigation through design to construction and monitoring.

The firm's service offerings span multiple disciplines including Engineering Hydrology, Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Mining Infrastructure, Environmental Sciences and Management, and Waste and Tailings management. This breadth of expertise means that bursary recipients gain exposure to diverse project types during their vacation work placements, developing a well-rounded understanding of consulting engineering practice.

With offices in Rivonia (Johannesburg) and Centurion (Pretoria), Jones & Wagener serves clients across the mining, infrastructure, water, and environmental sectors throughout Southern Africa. The company's projects range from tailings dam design and mine water management to flood analysis, environmental impact assessments, and structural engineering for major infrastructure developments. Many of these projects are nationally significant, contributing to South Africa's economic development and environmental protection.

Jones & Wagener's bursary programme reflects the company's long-standing commitment to developing the next generation of consulting engineers and scientists. By combining financial support with structured vacation work experience, the programme produces graduates who are not only academically qualified but also practically prepared for the demands of consulting engineering. The company has been running this programme for many years, with numerous alumni now holding senior positions in the firm and across the industry.

The company prides itself on its culture of technical excellence, innovation, and professional integrity, making it an attractive employer for graduates who want to work on challenging, meaningful projects that contribute to South Africa's development while maintaining the highest standards of environmental responsibility and engineering practice.

About the Program

The Jones & Wagener Bursary Programme funds students pursuing BEng or BSc degrees in Civil Engineering, Environmental studies, Geochemistry, or Geology at recognised South African universities. The programme provides comprehensive support that extends beyond financial assistance, including paid vacation work experience at the company's offices in Rivonia or Centurion.

The bursary covers tuition fees as a minimum, with potential additional support for accommodation and a limited prescribed textbooks allowance. The exact package is determined based on individual circumstances and company considerations.

A distinctive feature of this programme is the mandatory 6-week paid vacation work placement during July and/or December holidays. This requirement ensures that bursary recipients gain practical, hands-on experience in consulting engineering and science while still studying. Students work alongside experienced professionals on real projects, building skills that complement their academic learning and giving them a significant advantage when entering the job market.

Selection is based on three factors: academic merit, financial need, and company-specific considerations. The programme requires a minimum of 75% in Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric, reflecting the demanding nature of the engineering and science qualifications funded. Preference is given to students who reflect Black Economic Empowerment, contributing to transformation in the consulting engineering sector.

After graduation, bursary recipients are required to work at Jones & Wagener for a duration equal to that of their bursary award. This work-back arrangement provides graduates with guaranteed employment at a respected consulting firm while allowing the company to develop professionals who understand its operations, culture, and commitment to technical excellence. The structured post-graduation employment also provides a clear pathway to professional registration with bodies such as ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa) or SACNASP (South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions).

Bursary Benefits

• Tuition fees covered (minimum)
• Accommodation support may be provided depending on circumstances
• Limited prescribed textbooks allowance may be included
• 6 weeks paid vacation work at Jones & Wagener offices (Rivonia or Centurion) during July and/or December holidays
• Hands-on consulting engineering experience working on real projects alongside senior professionals
• Guaranteed employment at Jones & Wagener after graduation for the duration of your bursary
• Professional mentorship from experienced engineers and scientists throughout your studies
• Pathway to professional registration (Pr.Eng or Pr.Sci.Nat) through structured post-graduation employment
• Exposure to diverse project types across mining, infrastructure, water, and environmental sectors

Eligibility Criteria

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must have completed Matric or be currently in Matric
• You must be studying or intend to study towards a BEng or BSc in Civil Engineering, Environmental, Geochemistry, or Geology in 2027
• You must be studying or intend to study at a recognised and accredited university in South Africa
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must have achieved a minimum of 75% for Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric (or Grade 11 finals if currently in Matric)
• You must have proven financial need
• Preference is given to students who reflect Black Economic Empowerment

Required Documents

• Recent colour photograph (headshot)
• ID document (copy)
• Full Curriculum Vitae
• Matric latest results and Grade 11 final results if currently in Matric (copy)
• Matric certificate if completed Matric (copy)
• Full tertiary academic record if currently studying (copy)

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you meet all eligibility requirements, particularly the 75% minimum in Mathematics and Physical Science.
2. Set aside adequate time to complete the application — it includes personal questions about hobbies, interests, reasons for choosing your field, and future plans, as well as mathematical questions.
3. Visit the official Jones & Wagener Bursary Application portal online.
4. Complete the online application form thoughtfully and thoroughly. Take your time with the personal and mathematical questions.
5. Prepare all required supporting documents: recent colour headshot, ID copy, full CV, Matric results (and Grade 11 finals if currently in Matric), Matric certificate if completed, and full tertiary academic record if currently studying.
6. Upload your supporting documents on the Jones & Wagener website's dedicated document upload page.
7. Review all answers before submitting — shortlisting is based on both your answers and your documents.
8. Submit your application before the closing date of 31 July 2026.

Tips for Success

• Set aside plenty of time for the application. It includes personal questions and mathematical problems that require thought — don't rush through it.
• Answer personal questions authentically — the company uses your answers about hobbies, interests, and career plans to assess cultural fit alongside academic ability.
• Prepare for the mathematical questions — these test your problem-solving ability and are part of the shortlisting criteria.
• Ensure your Maths and Science marks meet the 75% threshold — this is a hard requirement with no exceptions.
• Demonstrate financial need clearly in your application. This is one of the three selection criteria alongside academic merit and company considerations.
• Upload documents on the separate JAWS website page — the application form and document upload are on different pages. Don't forget this step.
• Include a recent colour headshot — this is a required document that many applicants forget or submit in poor quality.
• Research Jones & Wagener before applying. Understanding their projects, values, and the industries they serve will help you answer the personal questions more effectively.
• Be prepared for vacation work in Rivonia or Centurion — consider whether you can arrange accommodation in Johannesburg or Pretoria for 6 weeks during holidays.
• Apply well before 31 July — the thoughtful nature of the application means last-minute submissions are likely to be weaker than those given proper time and consideration.

Career Prospects

Jones & Wagener is a professional consulting engineering and science firm founded in 1966, with a strong reputation for designing, developing, and implementing cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and innovative solutions. Graduates who complete their work-back obligation gain experience across multiple engineering disciplines, positioning them for long and rewarding careers in the consulting sector.

Career paths at Jones & Wagener and in the broader consulting engineering sector include:

• Geotechnical engineering — foundation design, slope stability analysis, and ground investigation for infrastructure projects across mining and construction
• Environmental engineering — waste management systems, pollution control, contaminated land remediation, and environmental compliance
• Structural engineering — design of buildings, bridges, industrial structures, and mining infrastructure
• Mining infrastructure — tailings storage facilities, waste rock dumps, mine water management, and closure planning
• Engineering hydrology — flood analysis, stormwater management, dam safety, and water resource planning
• Environmental sciences and management — environmental impact assessments, biodiversity monitoring, and regulatory compliance
• Geology and geochemistry — site investigation, mineral analysis, acid mine drainage assessment, and contamination studies

The consulting engineering sector offers intellectually stimulating work with diverse projects across mining, infrastructure, water, and environmental management. Professional registration (Pr.Eng through ECSA, or Pr.Sci.Nat through SACNASP) is achievable through the structured work experience gained during the work-back period, and significantly increases earning potential and career mobility.

Beyond Jones & Wagener, graduates with consulting experience are highly sought after by mining companies, government departments, other consulting firms, development finance institutions, and international organisations working in infrastructure and environmental management. The combination of a strong academic qualification, practical vacation work experience, and structured post-graduation employment makes J&W bursary alumni exceptionally competitive in the job market.

South Africa's ongoing infrastructure development needs and the growing emphasis on environmental compliance in the mining sector ensure sustained demand for qualified engineers and scientists with consulting experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fields are funded?

Four fields: Civil Engineering, Environmental, Geochemistry, and Geology. Qualifications must be BEng or BSc degrees.

What marks do I need?

A minimum of 75% in both Mathematics and Physical Science in Matric (or Grade 11 final results if currently in Matric).

Is there vacation work?

Yes. Bursary recipients must complete 6 weeks of paid vacation work at Jones & Wagener offices in Rivonia or Centurion during July and/or December holidays.

Is there a work-back obligation?

Yes. After graduation, you must work at Jones & Wagener for a duration equal to the number of years you received bursary funding.

When will I hear back?

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by 31 October 2026. If you don't hear back by then, your application was unsuccessful.

What makes the application different?

The application includes personal questions about your hobbies, interests, and future plans, as well as mathematical questions. Take your time and answer thoughtfully — these responses are used for shortlisting.

Where are the offices?

Jones & Wagener has offices in Rivonia (Johannesburg) and Centurion (Pretoria). Vacation work takes place at one of these locations.

Can Matric students apply?

Yes. Both current Matric students and those who have completed Matric are eligible to apply for the programme.

Applications Closing

Applications close on 31 July 2026. Take your time with the application — it includes personal and mathematical questions that influence shortlisting.

About the Organization

Tel: 011 519 0200 Email: angelique@jaws.co.za