IT and Computer Science Bursaries for 2027
Discover IT and computer science bursaries in South Africa for 2027. Funding opportunities available for software development, cybersecurity, data science and information technology students.
BBD Software Development • Private Sector
Apply for the BBD Software Development Bursary (SA26) in South Africa. Open all year round, offering funding, mentorship, and real-world coding experienc
Sasol • Private Sector
Apply for the Sasol Bursary 2027. Funding is available for South African students in STEM fields. Postgraduates are welcome.
ISACA Foundation • Private Sector
Apply for the ISACA Scholarship 2026. Open to IT and cybersecurity students in South Africa with funding and career benefits.
Google • Private Sector
Apply for the Google PhD Fellowship 2026 for computer science. Fully funded with stipend, tuition support, and more.
google.com, pub-9588911693920728, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
SITA (State Information Technology Agency) • Government
The SITA Bursary Programme is accepting applications for 2026. The bursary will be awarded to seccond-year students studying within the Information Commu
University of the Western Cape (UWC) • Government
Apply for the Levenstein Masters Bursary 2026 at UWC. Funding for Science, IT and Health postgraduate students. Closing date: 31 March 2026.
Tronox • Private Sector
Tronox is offering a STEM bursary to students enrolled at any University or University of Technology in South Africa. Engineering and IT students are enc
Mezzanine • Private Sector
Learn about the Mezzanine Computer Science Bursary 2026 - eligibility, coverage, closing dates, application steps, and requirements for South African stu
Power Construction (Pty) Ltd • Private Sector
Power Group Bursary 2026 is open for a limited time. Apply online for funding across various fields of study, including Accounting .Applications close on
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Best facts about IT & Computer Science Bursaries in SA
IT and Computer Science bursaries have grown significantly over the past decade as more organisations rely on technology, data, software development, cybersecurity, and digital systems. Today, funding is available from banks, telecommunications companies, technology firms, consulting companies, government institutions, and even retailers that employ large technology teams.
One thing many students don't realise is that most bursary providers are not necessarily looking for "computer science students." They're looking for future skills.
For example, banks such as Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, FirstRand and Investec employ hundreds of software developers, cybersecurity specialists, data analysts and systems engineers.
As a result, many of their bursaries support students studying Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering and related qualifications.
The demand for cybersecurity and data-related skills has also increased. Over the last few years, more bursaries have started mentioning fields such as Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing and Cybersecurity.
While traditional Computer Science remains highly funded, students entering these emerging areas may find additional opportunities as companies compete for scarce skills.
Unlike some study fields where employers focus heavily on work-back agreements, many IT bursary providers place greater emphasis on internships, graduate programmes and workplace experience. Companies often want students who can transition into technical roles shortly after graduation.
Another advantage of this field is that bursaries are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. While undergraduate funding is more common, postgraduate bursaries are increasingly available for students focusing on advanced research, artificial intelligence, data analytics, software engineering and information security.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions South Africans who are students, graduates, undergraduates and scholars are asking everyday.
Many bursary providers fund both fields, but Computer Science generally focuses more on software, algorithms and programming theory, while Information Technology often focuses on systems, networks, infrastructure and business technology solutions. Most sponsors accept students from either field if the qualification aligns with their technology needs.
Banks are among the largest funders of IT students. Organisations such as Standard Bank, Absa, FirstRand, Nedbank and Investec regularly support technology-related qualifications. Telecommunications companies, consulting firms, and technology service providers also offer bursaries throughout the year.
Yes. As cybersecurity threats continue to increase globally, more organisations are investing in cybersecurity talent. Some bursaries specifically mention Information Security, Cybersecurity, Network Security or related qualifications, while others include them under broader IT funding programmes.
In most cases, yes. Many bursary providers group Software Development, Computer Science, Software Engineering and Information Systems under the same technology funding category. Always check the approved qualifications listed by the bursary provider
Modern banking depends heavily on technology. Banks require software developers, cloud engineers, data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, systems architects and digital product teams. Funding students helps them build a pipeline of future technology professionals.
Yes. Data Science has become one of the fastest-growing funding areas within technology. Many companies now use data analytics to support business decisions, which has increased demand for graduates with skills in statistics, programming and machine learning.
Usually not. Most bursary providers focus more on Mathematics, overall academic performance and admission into an approved technology qualification. Mathematics is often considered more important than CAT during the selection process.
Based on recent bursary trends, Software Development, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing and Information Systems are among the most commonly funded technology fields. These areas continue to experience strong demand across both public and private sectors.