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.

Fine Music Radio: FMR • Private Sector UPDATED

Funding is available for students in South Africa studying music. The Fine Music Radio Trust is accepting online applications for 2026 until 12 June.

Schoeman Coetzee Audit • Private Sector UPDATED

SCAudit Accounting Bursary 2026 for BCom Hons/CTA students. Funding and a training contract are included.

Shoprite Group • Private Sector UPDATED

Apply for the Shoprite Bursary 2026. Funding for accounting, logistics, retail, agriculture, and IT students in South Africa.
Apply for the Sasol Bursary 2027. Funding is available for South African students in STEM fields. Postgraduates are welcome.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics: CING • Private Sector

Cyprus MSc scholarships 2026–2027 offer tuition support and stipend for South African postgraduate students.
Study in the UK as a South African student with the Global Impact Scholarship 2026. Funding supports Master’s degrees at Loughborough University. Closes
Apply for the Loughborough Global Impact Scholarship 2026. A UK master’s funding opportunity for international students studying at Loughborough Universi

ISACA Foundation • Private Sector

Apply for the ISACA Scholarship 2026. Open to IT and cybersecurity students in South Africa with funding and career benefits.

Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) – Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (FPE) • Private Sector

Pharmacy bursary for postgraudate students in South Africa. The bursary covers Masters and PhD studies. Apply today.

South African Medical Research Council • Government

Apply for the SAMRC Medical Research Bursary 2026. Funding for postgraduate medical and health science studies in South Africa. Closing date: 30 April 20

Students can explore government bursaries, SETA bursaries, corporate funding programmes, and private sector sponsorships across multiple disciplines. We also list field-specific funding such as law bursaries, engineering bursaries, accounting and finance bursaries, and education bursaries for future teachers. If you are looking for teaching bursaries or bursaries for private colleges, our category structure allows you to filter opportunities quickly and efficiently.

Frequently Asked Questions

These are questions South Africans who are students, graduates, undergraduates and scholars are asking everyday.

In South Africa, bursaries are usually awarded to students who meet specific academic and financial requirements. Most bursaries require you to have passed matric or be currently studying at a recognised university or college. Some bursaries are based on financial need, while others focus on academic performance, study field, or province. Each bursary has its own eligibility criteria, so it is important to read the requirements carefully before applying.

The requirements depend on the bursary provider. However, most SA bursaries ask for:

  • A certified copy of your ID
  • Your latest academic results
  • Proof of registration or acceptance at an institution
  • Proof of household income (for need-based bursaries)
  • A completed bursary application form

Some providers may also require a motivational letter or proof of residence.

Several South African banks offer bursaries, especially for fields like finance, accounting, IT, and business studies. These may include banks such as Standard Bank, Absa, Nedbank, and First National Bank (FNB). Bank bursaries often focus on students with strong academic results and may include work-back agreements after graduation.

In most cases, bursary money does not need to be paid back. However, some bursaries have a work-back agreement. This means you agree to work for the company or organisation for a certain period after completing your studies. If you do not meet the agreement, you may be required to repay the funding.

The two common types of bursaries in South Africa are:

  1. Full bursaries – These cover tuition, books, accommodation, and sometimes a monthly allowance.
  2. Partial bursaries – These cover only part of the study costs, usually tuition fees.

A bursary is often awarded based on financial need, academic performance, or a specific study field.

A scholarship is usually awarded based mainly on academic excellence, leadership, or sporting achievement. Scholarships do not normally require financial need to qualify.

There is no limit to how many bursaries you can apply for. It is recommended to apply for multiple bursaries to increase your chances of receiving funding.

Make sure you meet the requirements for each bursary before applying.

It depends on the bursary. Some bursaries pay tuition fees directly to the institution and provide a monthly allowance for living expenses.

Others only cover tuition and do not provide monthly payments.

Some bursaries come with conditions such as:

  • Maintaining a certain academic average

  • Studying in a specific field

  • Working for the sponsor after graduation

If you do not meet these conditions, the bursary may be withdrawn.

Most bursaries last for one academic year but can be renewed if you meet the required academic performance.

Some bursaries fund students for the full duration of their qualification, provided they pass each year.