South Africa’s 2026 bursary cycle is officially open, with a wide range of opportunities now available for students across fields like engineering, finance, science, construction, media, and more.
From major organisations and government departments to private companies, these bursaries are aimed at supporting academically strong and financially deserving students with funding, practical exposure, and career pathways.
With multiple closing dates running from May through to December 2026, this is your chance to secure funding for your studies and take a step closer to building your future career.
TIRISANO CONSTRUCTION FUND BURSARY 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 5 May 2026
ABOUT: The Tirisano Construction Fund Bursary supports students entering the construction and built-environment sector. It is administered by the IDC and targets financially deserving students in priority infrastructure-related fields such as engineering, quantity surveying, construction management, geomatics, and urban planning.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- Under 35 years old
- Matric completed
- APS score of at least 42
- Studying full-time in an approved built-environment field
- Registered at a recognised South African institution
- Minimum 65% academic average
- Household income below R650,000 per year
APPLY: https://protected.idc.co.za/BursaryPortal/
WESTERN CAPE MOBILITY DEPARTMENT – STUDENT CADET TRAFFIC OFFICER BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 5 May 2026
ABOUT: This is a 12-month full-time training bursary for candidates who want to qualify as Traffic Officers. Successful applicants will study toward a Further Education and Training Certificate in Road Traffic Law Enforcement and receive a monthly stipend of R5,000.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Grade 12 / Matric
- Valid Code B manual driver’s licence
- Physically fit
- No criminal record
- Under 35 years old
- No visible tattoos/body piercings outside allowed policy
- Must pass medical, psychological, drug, physical fitness, driving and interview assessments
APPLY: https://westerncapegov.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/WCG260417-6
RAND WATER EXTERNAL BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 7 May 2026
ABOUT: Rand Water’s External Bursary Programme supports undergraduate students studying in fields aligned with the water sector and the organisation’s strategic needs. Funded fields include engineering, chemistry, microbiology, water science, geomatics, architecture, accounting, law, and public health.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- From a previously disadvantaged background
- Passed Matric
- Studying full-time in one of the listed fields
- Minimum 65% academic average
- Not receiving another bursary/funding
- Under 35 years old
- Registered at a recognised tertiary institution
APPLY: https://randwater.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/RAN260423-1
SASOL MAINSTREAM BURSARY PROGRAMME 2027
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 17 May 2026
ABOUT: Sasol’s Mainstream Bursary Programme funds full-time university studies in engineering, science, data science, mine surveying, and selected postgraduate research areas. The bursary includes financial support, mentorship, and possible entry into Sasol’s Graduate Development Programme, but it carries a work-back/pay-back obligation.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- Under 30 years old
- Intend to study full-time at a recognised university
- Strong academic performance
- Pure Mathematics required
- Degree programmes only; diplomas not accepted
- Distance learning not accepted
APPLY: https://www.sasolbursaries.com/
OLD MUTUAL CHARTERED ACCOUNTING BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 30 May 2026
ABOUT: Old Mutual’s Chartered Accounting Bursary provides full support for students pursuing the CA(SA) route and creates a pathway into the Old Mutual Chartered Accounting Training Programme. Coverage includes tuition, study materials, meals, accommodation, and additional incentives for top performance.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- At least 70% in Mathematics
- At least 60% in English HL or 70% in English FAL
- Accepted at a SAICA-accredited institution
- Willing to join the Old Mutual Chartered Accounting Training Programme
OLD MUTUAL ACTUARIAL SCIENCE BURSARY 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 30 May 2026
ABOUT: This bursary is for high-performing learners and students who want to qualify in actuarial science. Old Mutual offers full study funding, mentorship, vacation work, and guaranteed employment after graduation for successful bursary recipients.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- At least 80% in Mathematics
- At least 60% in English Home Language or 70% in English First Additional Language
- At least 70% in all other subjects
- Accepted at or applying to one of the listed universities
- Must be committed to qualifying as an actuary
- Must be willing to work for Old Mutual after graduation
SHOPRITE BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 31 May 2026
ABOUT: Shoprite’s bursary programme funds students in scarce-skill retail and commerce fields including Accounting (CA stream), Biological & Agricultural Sciences, Retail Business Management, and Supply Chain & Logistics. The bursary covers tuition, prescribed textbooks, and an accommodation allowance, and includes a work-back agreement with Shoprite after study.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- 27 years old or younger
- Matric completed
- Studying at a recognised tertiary institution
- Field-specific requirements apply, including minimum averages of 60% to 65% depending on stream
- For CA stream: BCom Accounting/BAcc, entering 2nd–4th year or PGDA/CTA
APPLY:
Accounting (CA): https://shoprite-bursary.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/SHO260120-5
Biological & Agricultural Sciences: https://shoprite-bursary.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/SHO260120-7
Retail Business Management: https://shoprite-bursary.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/SHO260120-4
Supply Chain & Logistics: https://shoprite-bursary.erecruit.co/candidateapp/Jobs/View/SHO260120-9
https://studentspaza.co.za/2026/05/04/e-tv-bursaries/
FINE MUSIC RADIO (FMR) BURSARY TRUST AWARDS 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 12 June 2026
ABOUT: The FMR Bursary Trust Awards support talented music students studying toward a diploma or degree in music performance. Awards are made across African music, classical vocal, classical instrumental, and jazz categories.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- Residing in South Africa
- Studying toward a Diploma or Degree in Music
- Registered at a recognised tertiary institution
- Must submit an audition video and supporting documents
JONES & WAGENER BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
LOCATION: South African universities
CLOSING DATE: 31 July 2026
ABOUT: Jones & Wagener offers bursaries for students pursuing Civil Engineering, Geology, Geochemistry, and Environmental Science. The award is competitive and based on academic excellence, financial need, and company criteria, and includes paid vacation work plus a post-study work-back obligation.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- Grade 12 learner or current university student
- Studying or intending to study in one of the approved fields
- Minimum 75% in Mathematics
- Minimum 75% in Physical Science
APPLY: https://www.jaws.co.za/about-us/bursaries/
SOUTH AFRICAN ROAD FEDERATION (SARF) BURSARY PROGRAMME 2026
COUNTRY: South Africa
LOCATION: South African universities and universities of technology
CLOSING DATE: 31 August 2026
ABOUT: SARF’s supplementary bursary supports students in road engineering, transport management, transport economics, and road safety, with a strong preference for postgraduate study. Funding is intended to strengthen South Africa’s transport and road-infrastructure skills pipeline.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Studying at a recognised South African institution
- Diploma students must have passed Semester 1
- Degree students must have passed first year
- Postgraduate students are strongly encouraged to apply
- Must show commitment to the road transport sector
- Must submit institutional endorsement and supporting documents
APPLY: Request/submit via email to sybul@sarf.org.za or contact SARF at 48 Gladiator Street, Rhodesfield, Kempton Park, 1619
SAPPI ENGINEERING BURSARY PROGRAMME 2027
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 30 September 2026
ABOUT: Sappi’s bursary supports students pursuing engineering and forestry-related studies and may cover tuition, books, accommodation, and a living allowance depending on household income. It also offers vacation work and a pathway into the Sappi Engineer-in-Training Programme after graduation.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- 17 to 25 years old
- In Matric or already completed Matric
- At least 70% in Mathematics
- At least 70% in Physical Science
- At least 60% in English
- Must intend to study full-time at a Sappi-supported university
APPLY: https://sappi.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/240?c=sappi
ISFAP BURSARY 2027
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 31 October 2026
ABOUT: ISFAP is aimed at the “missing middle” — students who need support but do not qualify for NSFAS. It can cover tuition, accommodation, meals, books, travel, living support, and academic/social support for approved undergraduate studies in high-demand fields.
REQUIREMENTS:
- South African citizen
- Currently in Matric or already completed Matric
- Accepted for first-year undergraduate study in 2027
- Household income not more than R600,000 per year
- Financial need
- Must study an approved qualification at an approved public institution
APPLY: https://applyonline.isfap.org.za/
PSG BURSARY / SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME 2027
COUNTRY: South Africa
CLOSING DATE: 20 December 2026
ABOUT: PSG Financial Services offers bursaries to top-performing students who need funding to complete final-year or postgraduate studies. The bursary covers registration, tuition, accommodation, meals, textbooks, and a monthly allowance, and is linked to future graduate internship opportunities at PSG.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Valid South African ID
- Exceptional academic achievement
- Proven financial need
- Final-year or postgraduate study in approved fields such as Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Mathematical Science, selected Engineering streams, Insurance and Risk Management, or Investment Management
