Bursaries • Learnerships • Universities • Career Advice
Career Wise is a specialized bursary and scholarship administration company based in Johannesburg. Since 1999, the organization has acted as a primary link between corporate sponsors and students. They manage the recruitment, selection, and administrative tracking of high-potential students, particularly those in scarce-skills sectors. Core Services and Functions Career Wise operates a central database that […]
Planning to study in 2027? Then your first priority should be knowing exactly when applications open and close. Missing a deadline can cost you a full academic year, so getting this right is important. To make things easier, here’s a structured breakdown of 2027 application timelines across universities, universities of technology, private colleges, and TVET
Bursaries for student debt are designed to help learners who are already registered at higher education institutions and need financial assistance to cover outstanding fees. These bursaries do not usually fund new tuition but pay off arrears to allow students to continue their studies without financial interruption. Funding is often offered by government programmes, corporate
South Africa faces a major shortage of qualified teachers in subjects such as mathematics, science, and technology. To address this challenge, the TEACH South Africa programme recruits university graduates with strong STEM backgrounds and places them in under-resourced schools. The programme allows graduates to start teaching even if they did not originally study education at
Many South African bursary programmes close their applications during the first quarter of the year. March is an important deadline period because several government and corporate bursaries stop accepting applications during this month. Students who are still searching for funding for the 2026 or 2027 academic year should act quickly before these opportunities close. Bursaries
Thousands of South African students rely on funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme to pay for university or TVET college studies. The scheme provides financial support to eligible students from low income households who want to access higher education. Each year applicants check their application progress online to see whether they have been
The Allan Gray Fellowship is one of the most competitive and prestigious funding programmes available to South African students. The fellowship focuses on developing future entrepreneurs who want to build businesses and create economic growth in South Africa. The programme is offered by the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation and targets high potential Grade 12 learners
The Vodacom Bursary Programme funds students who want to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees that support the country’s growing digital economy. Vodacom is one of Africa’s largest telecommunications companies and invests heavily in developing digital talent through education funding. The bursary helps high performing students who have financial need to complete university studies
Engineering remains one of the most funded study fields in South Africa because mining companies constantly need skilled engineers to operate mines, processing plants, and large industrial infrastructure. Many mining companies sponsor university students through bursary programmes that cover study costs and offer work experience during holidays. These bursaries often include tuition fees, accommodation support,
Many South African students start university without funding and only begin searching for bursaries after their first year. This situation is very common because several bursary programmes accept applications from students who are already studying at a university. Some funding schemes even prefer second year applicants because they can review the student’s university academic record
The Shoprite Group bursary programme helps South African students study scarce skills while receiving financial support during university. The programme is funded by the Shoprite Group, which is the largest private sector employer in South Africa and a major retail company across the continent. The bursary provides a full funding package that can cover tuition
The Thuthuka Bursary Fund is a major transformation bursary in South Africa that supports students who want to become Chartered Accountants (CA(SA)). The programme is run by South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) and has provided funding to academically strong and financially needy African and Coloured students. This bursary opens applications early each year
The GCR Academy Bursary is offered by the Gauteng City Region Academy under the Gauteng Department of Education. It is designed to support students from the Gauteng province who want to study at an accredited and registered Post School Education and Training institution in South Africa. The bursary is available for both undergraduate and postgraduate
Nursing bursaries are one of the main ways South African students can fund studies in the health sector. Government and public institutions offer these bursaries to train skilled nurses for public hospitals and clinics. Funding is aimed at students who want to study nursing or related healthcare qualifications at South African universities or universities of
The Standard Bank Bursary Programme supports South African students who want to study commerce, finance, and business related degrees. It is designed to help academically strong students who demonstrate financial need complete their university studies. Funding is available for undergraduate and honours degrees at recognised South African universities. The bursary aims to develop skilled professionals
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is one of the largest government funded education bursaries in South Africa. The programme supports students who want to become qualified teachers in public schools. Funding is provided to help students complete recognised teaching qualifications at South African universities. The bursary is managed by the Department of Basic Education in partnership
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme is a financial aid initiative that supports students from low income and “missing middle” households. The programme was created through collaboration between government and private sector partners. Its goal is to improve access to higher education and support the development of skilled professionals. Unlike many funding programmes, ISFAP provides
Many students depend on financial aid to continue their studies at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa. When funding is declined or cancelled, students often have the option to submit an appeal. The appeals process allows students to provide new information or corrected documents that explain their financial or academic situation. Appeals are
The Nedbank External Bursary Programme is an education funding initiative managed by the Nedbank Educational Trust. The programme supports students who want to obtain their first undergraduate or honours degree. Funding targets fields related to science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and green economy development. Students who want to pursue careers in accounting, finance, and IT may
The Sasol bursary programme is a funding initiative designed to develop skilled professionals in technical fields. The programme mainly supports engineering and science degrees at South African universities. Students receive financial support to complete undergraduate studies in fields linked to the energy and chemical industries. The bursary is considered one of the most comprehensive funding
Many bursary programmes in South Africa open new application cycles between April and May each year. Students who plan to study in 2027 should begin tracking bursaries that open during this period. Government departments, private companies, and foundations often launch funding opportunities for scarce skills fields in April. These bursaries help students pay for tuition,
The Old Mutual bursary programme is one of the most prestigious funding opportunities for students who want to study actuarial science or related quantitative degrees in South Africa. The programme is designed to identify mathematically talented students and support them through university. Actuarial science is one of the most challenging and competitive degrees in the
Learnerships are one of the best ways for young South Africans to gain work experience, develop skills, and earn a nationally recognized qualification while on the job. Managed by Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), learnerships combine workplace training with theoretical learning to prepare learners for the workforce. What is a Learnership? A learnership is
Success in the workplace rarely happens by accident. While companies are responsible for creating supportive environments, employees also play a major role in determining their own career outcomes. The most successful professionals consistently take ownership of their growth, understand what is expected of them, and actively contribute to the goals of their organization. What do
