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 fees, accommodation, and study support.
Students who are selected also receive a monthly grocery allowance to help with living costs while studying.
The bursary mainly supports students studying fields linked to retail, logistics, and food science.
Applications are normally submitted through the official Shoprite careers portal at the Shoprite Group.
What does the Shoprite bursary cover?
The Shoprite bursary is designed to remove the financial barriers that prevent talented students from completing university studies.
The programme offers a comprehensive funding package.
This package normally includes the following support.
- Tuition fees paid directly to the university.
- On campus accommodation support.
- Study materials such as textbooks.
- A monthly grocery allowance to help with daily living costs.
The grocery allowance works like a monthly stipend because it helps students cover food expenses during the academic year.
Many recipients also gain access to wellness and support programmes through the company.
The company invests millions of rand each year in funding students through this bursary programme.
Who qualifies for the Shoprite bursary?
The bursary is aimed at high performing South African students who want to build careers in fields related to the retail and food industries.
Applicants must meet several basic requirements.
The typical eligibility criteria include the following.
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must usually be under the age of 27.
- You must have completed Matric.
- You must be studying or planning to study at a recognised South African university.
- Your degree must fall within one of the approved fields of study.
Some programmes also require students to maintain strong academic performance while studying.
Specific academic averages may apply depending on the field.
For example, accounting students often need a strong academic average to qualify.
Which fields of study does the Shoprite bursary support?
The bursary focuses on scarce skills that are important to the retail and food industries.
These fields are selected to help the company develop future specialists and leaders.
Common funded fields include the following.
- Accounting with the CA stream.
- Retail Business Management.
- Supply Chain and Logistics.
- Biological Sciences.
- Agricultural Sciences.
- Food Science.
The list of funded degrees may change depending on the skills that the company needs in future years.
Students should always confirm the latest study fields on the official Shoprite bursary portal.
The most reliable information can be found on the Shoprite Group careers page.
Shoprite Bursary Online Application
Applications are completed online through the Shoprite careers website.
Students must create an account on the company’s application system before submitting their bursary application.
The process normally follows these steps.
- Visit the official Shoprite youth opportunities portal.
- Select the bursary programme that matches your field of study.
- Create a profile on the Shoprite careers platform.
- Upload all required documents.
- Submit your bursary application before the closing date.
Students must ensure that their documents are clear and certified where required.
Missing documents can lead to the application being rejected during screening.
When do Shoprite bursary applications open?
Shoprite normally opens bursary applications more than once each year.
The most common application windows are the following.
- February to April.
- July to September.
These application periods usually fund students for the following academic year.
Students who want funding for 2027 should monitor the Shoprite portal during 2026.
Deadlines can change depending on the specific bursary category. Late applications are normally not accepted.
Documents required for the Shoprite bursary application
Applicants must upload supporting documents when submitting their online application.
These documents help the company verify academic eligibility.
The most commonly required documents include the following.
- Certified copy of your South African ID.
- Certified copy of your Matric certificate.
- Full academic transcript from your university.
- Proof of university registration or acceptance.
- Updated academic results if you are already studying.
Students should prepare these documents early to avoid missing application deadlines.
All documents must be submitted through the official Shoprite application system.
Does the Shoprite bursary offer employment after graduation?
One of the biggest benefits of the Shoprite bursary programme is career placement.
Many bursary recipients are offered employment with the company after completing their studies. This creates a direct pathway into the retail industry.
Graduates can begin their careers working alongside experienced professionals inside the company.
This type of structured entry into employment helps graduates gain industry experience quickly.
Shoprite uses the bursary programme to develop future professionals who can grow within the organisation.
Students who perform well during their studies and training often continue building long term careers within the company.
Shoprite Bursary Contact
- Tel: +27 (0)21 980 4000
- Website: https://www.shopriteholdings.co.za/contactus.html