Private Bursaries in South Africa 2027
Explore private sector bursaries in South Africa for 2027. Funding available for undergraduate and postgraduate students from leading companies, foundations and private institutions.
Oilseeds Advisory Committee (OAC/OPDT) • Private Sector
Postgraduate funding for oilseeds research in South Africa. OAC/OPDT Scholarship 2027 supports Masters and PhD students in agriculture.
University of the Witwatersrand: Wits • Private Sector
Apply for the Wits Sport Bursary 2027. Interested athletes must be planning to enroll at Wits university in 2027.
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) • Private Sector
Apply for the SAICA Thuthuka Bursary 2027. The program empowers aspiring accounting careers with financial barriers.
Mandela Institute for Development Studies: MINDS • Private Sector
Apply for the MINDS Scholarship Programme 2027. Open to African students pursuing postgraduate studies in Africa with full or partial funding.
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South African Road Federation: SARF • Private Sector
Apply for the South African Road Federation (SARF) Study Bursary 2026 for studies in road engineering, transport management, and civil engineering. Appl
Sappi • Private Sector
Apply for the Sappi Bursary 2027 in South Africa. Learn about eligibility, requirements, documents, and how to apply. Applications now open.
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
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme • Private Sector
Applications for the ISFAP Bursary 2027 are now open for South African students who need funding for university.
SAICE • Private Sector UPDATED
Support your civil engineering studies with the SAICE Bursary 2026. Open to South African students pursuing tertiary engineering education. Applications
Moore • Private Sector
Applications now open for the Moore Africa Bursary 2027 - 2028. Open to accounting students pursuing a CA(SA) path with strong academic results.
Sanlam • Private Sector
Sanlam Actuarial Bursary 2027 is open to matriculants and undergraduates. Full funding, plus a job after graduation
Fine Music Radio: FMR • Private Sector
Funding is available for students in South Africa studying music. The Fine Music Radio Trust is accepting online applications for 2026 until 12 June.
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What to know about Private Bursaries in South Africa
Private bursaries are funded by companies, foundations, trusts, banks, and other private organisations that invest in education and skills development. These bursaries play a major role in helping South African students access higher education, especially in fields where employers need skilled graduates.
Unlike government bursaries, private sector bursaries are often linked to specific industries or career paths.
For example, mining companies frequently fund engineering students, financial institutions support accounting and finance students, while technology companies invest in IT and computer science graduates.
This creates opportunities for students to receive funding while building relationships with potential future employers.
Many private bursaries support both undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Some organisations offer full funding packages that cover tuition, accommodation, books, and living expenses, while others provide partial financial assistance. In some cases, students may also receive vacation work opportunities, mentorship, internships, or graduate employment opportunities.
Competition for private bursaries can be high, particularly when large companies open applications. Students with strong academic results, leadership experience, community involvement, and clear career goals often have an advantage during the selection process.
If you are looking for funding, it is worth applying for multiple private bursaries rather than relying on a single application. Every bursary provider has different requirements, selection criteria, and deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are questions South Africans who are students, graduates, undergraduates and scholars are asking everyday.
A private bursary is financial assistance provided by a company, foundation, trust, bank, or private organisation to help students pay for their studies.
Yes. Many private organisations fund undergraduate degrees, postgraduate diplomas, Honours degrees, Master's degrees, and PhD studies.
Many large employers offer bursaries, including companies in mining like Sibanye Stillwater, engineering, finance, banking such as ABSA, FNB, Nedbank etc. even on technology, telecommunications, healthcare, and energy sectors.
Not necessarily. Some private bursaries receive thousands of applications each year. Selection usually depends on academic performance, field of study, and the organisation's requirements.
Some private bursaries include graduate programmes, internships, or work-back agreements, but this differs from one bursary provider to another.
Yes. In fact, students are encouraged to apply for multiple bursaries to improve their chances of securing funding.
Most providers consider academic results, leadership potential, financial need, community involvement, and alignment with the organisation's goals and industry needs.