Bursaries

Studying medicine and health sciences in South Africa is expensive due to the length of medical degrees, clinical training, and specialised equipment costs.  Medical bursaries help students cover tuition, accommodation, books, and living expenses so they can complete their studies and contribute to the country’s healthcare system.  Medical bursaries are available from government departments, healthcare […]

Commerce is one of the broadest study fields in South Africa and includes accounting, finance, economics, business management, marketing, and human resources. Because these skills are in high demand, many government departments, banks, corporations, and education trusts offer bursaries to support commerce students. These bursaries often cover tuition, books, accommodation, and sometimes include internships or

Arts bursaries in South Africa support students studying creative fields such as fine arts, music, film, design, theatre, and cultural studies. These bursaries are offered by government departments, arts councils, private institutions, and industry organisations to develop creative talent and support the country’s cultural sector. Which arts bursaries are available in South Africa for 2027?

Accounting is listed as a scarce skill in South Africa, which means there are many bursaries available from government, banks, audit firms, and private companies for students who want to study accounting or become Chartered Accountants. These bursaries help cover tuition, accommodation, books, and sometimes provide a stipend, making them one of the most accessible

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

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,

Detailed guide to bursaries and funding opportunities for Honours, Master’s, Doctoral, postgraduate diplomas, and research‑based studies in South Africa and abroad. Postgraduate funding assists graduates to pursue advanced qualifications beyond a Bachelor’s degree, including Honours, Master’s and PhD programmes. These awards usually cover some combination of tuition fees, living allowances, research support, books, travel, and

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

Paying for university or TVET college can be one of the biggest challenges students face in South Africa. Tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, and daily living costs quickly add up. For many students, bursaries are the most effective way to cover these expenses without accumulating debt. A bursary is financial support provided by a company, government