Higher education in South Africa is supported by a large network of bursary programmes funded by government departments, corporations, industry training authorities, and private foundations. These bursaries in South Africa help students pay for tuition fees, accommodation, books, and other study costs.
Many organisations open bursary applications one year before the academic intake, meaning funding for the 2027 academic year will usually open during 2026. Students, therefore, need to identify programmes early and prepare their applications in advance.
The list below includes major recurring bursaries available to South African students, grouped by sector, so students can easily find funding opportunities relevant to their chosen field of study.
Quick Glance: Major Bursaries Available in South Africa
- South Africa offers hundreds of bursary programmes funded by government departments, companies, SETAs, and private foundations.
- Major sectors offering bursaries include engineering, mining, finance, technology, healthcare, and education.
- Government programmes such as NSFAS and Funza Lushaka support thousands of students every year.
- Corporate bursaries from banks, mining companies, and telecom firms often include internships or employment opportunities.
- Most bursary applications open between May and November for the following academic year.
Table of Contents
1. Government Bursaries in South Africa
Government bursaries are some of the largest funding programmes in South Africa and are designed to increase access to higher education and address national skills shortages.
National programmes
- National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
- Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary
- National Treasury Chartered Accountant Academy
NSFAS is the country’s largest student financial aid programme, providing funding for students from low-income households studying at public universities and TVET colleges.
The Funza Lushaka programme funds teaching degrees in priority subject areas and usually requires recipients to work in public schools after graduation.
Provincial government bursaries in South Africa
Many provincial governments provide bursaries to residents studying in priority sectors.
Examples include:
- Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary
- KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursary
- Western Cape Government Bursary
- Eastern Cape Government Bursary
- Mpumalanga Government Bursary
- Free State Government Bursary
- Limpopo Government Bursary
2. Engineering and Energy Sector Bursaries
Engineering bursaries are among the most common corporate funding programmes in South Africa.
Major programmes include:
- Eskom Bursary
- Transnet Bursary
- Sasol Foundation Bursary
- Toyota South Africa Bursary
- TotalEnergies Bursary
- Siemens South Africa Bursary
- Engen Petroleum Bursary
- Fluor Engineering Bursary
- Hatch Engineering Bursary
These bursaries typically fund degrees such as:
- Electrical engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Civil engineering
- Chemical engineering
Corporate engineering bursaries often include internship or employment opportunities after graduation.
3. Mining and Resources Sector Bursaries
South Africa’s mining sector funds many bursaries to develop technical professionals.
Examples include:
- Anglo American Bursary
- Exxaro Bursary
- Harmony Gold Bursary
- Samancor Chrome Bursary
- Gold Fields Bursary
- South32 Bursary
- Palabora Mining Company Bursary
- Rio Tinto / Richards Bay Minerals Bursary
These bursaries commonly support degrees in:
- Mining engineering
- Metallurgy
- Geology
- Environmental science
4. Banking and Finance Bursaries in South Africa
Financial institutions also fund large numbers of bursaries in South Africa for commerce students.
Examples include:
- Standard Bank Bursary
- Nedbank Bursary
- Absa Fellowship Programme
- Investec Bursary
- Old Mutual Bursary
- Capitec Bank Bursary
- Sanlam Bursary
The Investec bursary programme, for example, funds students studying financial sector-related degrees at South African universities.
5. Accounting and Professional Services Bursaries
Professional services firms offer bursaries to students pursuing accounting qualifications and training contracts.
Examples include:
- PwC Bursary
- Deloitte Bursary
- KPMG Bursary
- BDO Bursary
- EY Bursary
- SAICA Thuthuka Bursary
These programmes usually require recipients to complete professional training contracts with the sponsoring organisation after graduation.
6. Technology and Telecommunications Bursaries
Technology companies support students pursuing STEM and IT qualifications.
Examples include:
- Vodacom Bursary
- Telkom Bursary
- Huawei South Africa Bursary
- MTN Bursary
Vodacom’s programme supports students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees and may cover tuition, accommodation, and study materials.
7. Retail and Consumer Sector Bursaries
Retail and consumer companies also invest in education funding programmes.
Examples include:
- Shoprite Group Bursary
- Pick n Pay Bursary
- The Foschini Group Bursary
- Woolworths Bursary
- Coca-Cola Beverages Bursary
These bursaries usually support degrees related to commerce, supply chain management, logistics, and business administration.
8. Healthcare and Medical Bursaries in South Africa
Healthcare bursaries help address shortages of medical professionals.
Examples include:
- Mediclinic Bursary
- Netcare Bursary
- Department of Health Bursaries
- South African Medical Research Council Bursary
These programmes support degrees in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and health sciences.
9. SETA Bursaries
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) fund training and education linked to specific industries.
Examples include:
- MICT SETA Bursary (Information and communications technology)
- CETA Bursary (Construction sector)
- SASSETA Bursary (Safety and security sector)
- AGRISETA Bursary (Agriculture sector)
- FASSET Bursary (Finance and accounting sector)
- MERSETA Bursary (Manufacturing and engineering sector)
These programmes focus on developing skills that support economic growth in key industries.
10. Foundation and Trust Bursaries
Several private foundations provide scholarships and bursaries to high-achieving students.
Examples include:
- Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship
- StudyTrust Bursaries
- Tomorrow Trust Bursary
- Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Scholarship
Corporate research shows many major employers fund thousands of bursaries each year to develop future talent for their industries.
How Students Should Use This List
Students searching for bursaries should:
- Identify bursaries related to their field of study
- Check eligibility requirements and closing dates
- Prepare documents such as academic transcripts and identification
- Apply for multiple bursaries to increase their chances of funding
FAQs
What qualifies someone for a bursary?
Most bursaries consider academic performance, financial need, and the student’s chosen field of study. Some programmes also prioritise students entering industries with skills shortages.
Do you have to pay back bursary money?
Most bursaries do not require repayment if the student meets the programme conditions. Some bursaries may require recipients to work for the sponsoring organisation after graduation.
How many bursaries should a student apply for?
Students are encouraged to apply for multiple bursaries because competition for funding can be high. Applying to several programmes increases the chances of receiving financial support.
Which bursary is NSFAS?
NSFAS is a government funded financial aid scheme that supports students studying at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
Are bursaries paid to students?
Some bursaries pay tuition fees directly to the university, while others also provide stipends for accommodation, meals, or textbooks.
Final Thoughts
South Africa offers a wide range of bursary programmes funded by government departments, corporations, industry organisations, and private foundations. These programmes support students studying in fields such as engineering, finance, education, healthcare, technology, and mining.
Because many bursaries in South Africa open applications months before the academic year begins, students planning for the next intake should begin researching funding opportunities early and apply to multiple programmes whenever possible.
Tarun Asrani is the founder and editor-in-chief of SmartAfricaGuide. With extensive experience in digital publishing and content strategy, he leads the platform’s focus on finance, scholarships, e-learning, and career opportunities shaping Africa today. Tarun visits Africa twice a year, gaining first-hand exposure to local education systems, job markets, and emerging technologies. He also closely follows African news, university updates, and government initiatives to ensure SmartAfricaGuide delivers timely, accurate, and practical insights grounded in real regional experience.
