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.
Mandela Rhodes Foundation: MRF • Private Sector
The Mandela Rhodes Scholarship 2027 offers full funding for Honours or Master’s studies in South Africa, including leadership training for high-potential
Southern Platinum Sphere • Private Sector
Apply for the Southern Sphere Platinum Bursary 2026. Funding up to R200,000 for mining, engineering, IT, science and related studies for eligible student
ACT: Arts & Culture Trust • Private Sector
Apply for the ACT Nyoloha Scholarship 2026. Funding up to R300,000 for performing, visual, and digital arts students in South Africa.
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
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OMT - Oppenheimer Memorial Trust • Private Sector
Apply for the OMT Postgraduate Bursary 2026. Funding is available for Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral studies in South Africa and abroad. Learn eligibili
South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law • Private Sector
Apply for the SAIIPL Intellectual Property Bursary 2026. Open to LLB and LLM students in South Africa with interest in IP law. Learn requirements and how
Mezzanine • Private Sector
Learn about the Mezzanine Computer Science Bursary 2026 - eligibility, coverage, closing dates, application steps, and requirements for South African stu
South African Nursery Association (SANA) • Private Sector
Mbuyelo Coal - Khashani Colliery • Private Sector
Apply for the Mbuyelo Coal Bursary 2026 in South Africa. Funding for engineering, mining, and geology students. Closing date: 30 March 2026.
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
AfriSam (South Africa) (Pty) Ltd • Private Sector
Glencore • Private Sector
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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.