221 List Of All Bursaries In South Africa (2023)

A bursary is a cash award made by any Educational Institution, Corporate Body, or Government Authority to individuals or student groups. It is usually awarded to enable a student, or group of students to attend school, university, or college when they might not be able to afford it on their own.  Some bursaries are aimed at encouraging specific groups or individuals to study.

For all those that want to know which companies offer bursaries in South Africa, I listed all bursaries in South Africa, some given by rich individuals and their families, others by big companies, and some by municipal authorities. Some of these Bursaries are awarded to students who have shown themselves to be excellent, others are awarded randomly, regardless of performance, while others still are there to encourage people who come from certain poor areas to acquire an education.     

Whatever category of student you fall into, there is a bursary that suits you, and that you can benefit from. The list of SA Bursaries available for students in South Africa is given below. 

List of All Bursaries In South Africa

Jakes Gerwel Fellowship

This fellowship and the attendant financial rewards are only open to third-year students.

 Contact – Website: https://www.jgfellowship.org

    

SAICA Thuthuka Bursary Fund

 This is open to students who want to become Chartered Accountants. The applications are currently ongoing for the academic year.

Contact Website: https://www.thuthukabursaryfund.co.za

   

Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship

This scholarship is done in partnership with the American Embassy and is open to students from 160 countries including South Africa.

Contact Website: https://foreign.fulbrightonline.org

 

Boston City Campus Bursary

This bursary is only open to students of the institution. For further information please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.boston.co.za › about-us › bursaries

 

Anglo American Platinum Bursaries

Anglo American offers a bursary award. Applications will open on May 21. Preferred students are those studying mining. For further information about requirements visit the company website.

Contact Website: https://www.angloamerican.com › apply › jobdetail

 

ABSA Fellowship Programme

The ABSA Fellowship Programme is more than just a bursary programme. This is an initiative that provides financial support to students, and also provides mentorship, as well as job placements to deserving ones.

 

National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA) Bursary

The National Metrology Institute of South Africa offers a bursary award scheme, but this programme is actually more than just a cash award; the Institute is keen to help promote student excellence and to bring in deserving students to work with the Institute when they graduate.

Contact Website: https://www.nmisa.org

 

merSETA Bursary

merSETA bursaries are awarded annually to University students. To find out more about this bursary programme, and the requirements, use the channel below.

Contact Website: http://www.merseta.org.za

 

Tomorrow Trust Tertiary Bursary

This bursary programme is open from June 21. The Tomorrow Tertiary Programme offers bursary awards to students studying various fields in various Universities. To find out more about this bursary award, and about the requirements, please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://tomorrow.org.za

 

FEDISA Future Vision Bursary

FEDISA Fashion Institute offers bursary awards to deserving students of the institution. To find out more about this bursary award, and about the requirements please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.fedisa.co.za › futurevisionbursary

 

Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship

The Oppenheimer Memorial Trust Postgraduate Scholarship is open to students who are South African nationals, studying Postgraduate courses in South African Institutions. For more information about the requirements please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.omt.org.za › graduate-study-funding

    

WK Construction Bursary

WK Construction offers bursaries to suitable students studying B.sc Civil Engineering. For further information about this bursary programme, and how to qualify, please use the channel below:

Contact Website: http://www.wkc.co.za

 

Moore SAICA Trainee Bursary

Moore South Africa offers bursaries to suitable students who want to become Chartered Accountants. For more information about this bursary programme, please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.moore-southafrica.com › graduate › 

 

Exxaro Bursary

The Exxaro Bursary programme is intended to help students who are studying mining. This programme does not stop at distributing money; the company is interested in the development of young talented individuals who can one day become part of the company’s elite workforce. To find out more about this bursary program, and how to qualify, please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.exxaro.com › workplace 

    

Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme

Bongani Mayosi National Health Scholars Programme is open to students studying health-related courses in South Africa. To get more information about this scholarship you may visit the bursary office of your school, or start with the channel provided below.

Contact Website: https://www.samrc.ac.za › request-for-applications

    

Assmang Khumani Mine Bursary Programme

This programme is designed to help 25 economically disadvantaged students. The bursary programme is the initiate of the Tsantsabane local municipality and Assmang Beeshoek Mine. To find out more about this bursary scheme please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://assmang.co.za › author › assmangad 

    

NRF-Nuffic Doctoral Scholarships

This program is designed to provide funding for students studying for Doctoral Degrees. To find out more about this programme, please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.nrf.ac.za › division › funding

   

Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship

This is an opportunity not just to receive funding for studies but to participate in one of the most renowned mentorship programs in the whole country. For more information about requirements please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.mandelarhodes.org › scholarship › apply 

    

FoodBev SETA Mandatory Grant

The Food and Beverage Manufacturing Companies in South Africa offer bursaries to suitable students studying in South African institutions. To find out more about this bursary offer, and how to qualify, please use the channel below.

Contact Website: http://www.foodbev.co.za › sector-skills-planning

 

UFS Research Master’s and Doctoral Bursaries

The University of Free state offers a bursary programme to students who need funding to continue or complete their education. This particular bursary programme is open to students studying for their Master’s and Doctoral degrees. For more information please use the channels below.

Contact Website: https://www.ufs.ac.za › postgraduate-services › funding

   

SAMSTIP Teacher Internship Bursaries

The South African Mathematics and Science Teacher Intern Programme (SAMSTIP) offers bursaries to students who wish to become Mathematics or Science Teachers. For more information please use the channel below.

Contact Website: https://www.samstip.org

    

Shoprite Bursaries

Shoprite’s bursaries provide financial assistance towards payment of tuition and on-campus accommodation. But that is not all; the company would like to guarantee suitable students placements in the organization after they have graduated.

Contact Website: https://www.shopriteholdings.co.za › careers

 

Other Bursary Programmes in South Africa are given below:

Independent Field Advertiser (IFA) Bursary Scheme

SEIFSA Bursary

Newcastle Municipality Bursary

GrandWest Socio-Economic Development (SED) Bursary 

Gauteng Department of Human Settlements Bursary (External) 

Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship

CETA – Thapelo Madibeng Bursary

UFS Honours Bursaries

Mopani District Municipality Bursary

NAACAM Bursary

Stefanutti Stocks Bursary

Breede Valley Municipality Bursary (EXTERNAL)

SOLTRAIN Bursary Fund

Canon Collins Thekgo Bursary

Masakh’iSizwe (MiS) Bursary

Kumba Iron Ore Bursary 

AFHCO Bursary

Adidas X Red & Yellow Creative Business School Bursary

Converse #KickTheDebt Student Bursary Award

South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Bursary

South African Nursery Association Bursary

KwaDukuza Municipality Bursary

DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Human Development Bursaries

Gibela Bursary

DRDGOLD Bursary

Egis Operation South Africa Bursary

Hollywoodbets Bursary

Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) Bursary

Saldanha Bay Municipality Bursary

South African Translators’ Institute Bursary

West Coast District Municipality Bursary

Community Bursary Khutala (SAEC)

Columbus Stainless Bursaries

Khutala Colliery (SAEC) – Child of Employee Bursary

Kuehne + Nagel Inzuzo Trust Bursary

KwaZulu-Natal Dept of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA) Bursary

Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme

SEDISA Trust Bursary

Gauteng City-Region Academy (GCRA) Bursary

FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships

Hatch Bursaries  

FoodBev SETA DISCRETIONARY Grant

FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship

Armscor External Bursary

Bitou Municipality Mayoral Bursary

Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust (CRET) Bursary  

SIOC-CDT Bursary

Rhodes University John Davidson Educational Trust Bursary

Starke Ayres Bursary

HKA Bursary South Africa

MultiChoice Bursary Program

AstraZeneca Bursary

UNISA Merit Bursary

UNISA Master’s and Doctoral Bursary

WOZA MATRICS Bidvest Bursaries

National Disaster Management Centre External Bursary

Rhodes University Global Partnership Network Masters Scholarships

Webber Wentzel Scholarship

Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Bursary

Bushbuckridge Local Municipality Bursary

Master Builders KwaZulu-Natal Bursary

Sasria Bursary

Aon Bursary

Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme

Pyrotec Bursary

Jamiatul Ulama KZN Bursary

South African Bulk Terminals (SABT) Bursary

Knysna Municipality Mayoral Bursary

Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) Bursary

Gold One Group Bursary

Bergrivier Municipality External Study Bursaries

Alfred Nzo District Municipality External Bursary

SAMAC NPC Bursary

Huawei Bursary

Chevening UK Scholarship

DSI-CSIR Bursaries

EWSETA Bursary

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Bursaries

Subtrop SAAGA Bursary

Eric and Charmaine Mabuza Scholarship

The JSE Empowerment Fund (JEF) Bursary

Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary

Toyota Tsusho Africa Bursary Scheme

Cenfri Bursary Program

Gert-Johan Coetzee Fashion Bursaries

Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Bursary

WSP Bursary

Capsicum Culinary Studio Bursary

Nurturing Emerging Scholars Program  

ISFAP Bursary Funding

Compensation Fund Bursary

Coronation Exceptional Student Bursary

Electrum Academic Bursary

Gallagher Foundation Scholarship

Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Bursary

South African Association of Botanists Scholarship 

BBD Bursary

Epilepsy South Africa Educational Trust Bursary

Zutari Undergraduate Bursary

Kantey & Templer Bursary

Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (EATI) Bursary

CEF SOC Ltd Bursary Scheme   

SANRAL Scholarship

SANRAL Bursary

Citrus Academy Bursary Fund

The Agar-Hamilton Trust Bursary

The Hexagon Trust Bursary

Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursaries

South African Reserve Bank Bursary

South African Society of Music Teachers (SASMT) Bursaries

Santam Bursary

NRF Postgraduate Scholarships

Standard Bank Group Bursary Fund

Upstream Training Trust Bursary

Promaths Bursary Fund

Sanlam Bursaries

SAIBPP Bursary Fund

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) Bursary   

SAIRR Bursary South Africa

GWK Ben Scholtz Bursary Fund

South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) Bursary

National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) Bursary

ANFASA Bursary Grant Scheme

Mediclinic Bursary

Paper Manufacturers Association of South Africa (PAMSA) Bursary

HORTGRO Bursary

Accenture Scholarship (Honours)

ABSA Bursaries

Toyota SA Bursary

SARAO Scholarship and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programmes

Jones & Wagener Bursary

Transnet Bursary

Kaplan Centre Bursaries South Africa    

Old Mutual Bursaries

MTN Chartered Accountant Bursary Programme

Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship

Mintek Bursary

SASAS Post-Graduate Bursary

Rio Tinto / Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) Bursary

Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority (TCTA) Bursary

Robben Island Museum (RIM) Bursary

Land Bank Bursary Scheme

Southern African Clothing & Textile Workers’ Union (SACTWU) Bursary

PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Bursary

South African Medical Association Bursary

Isipho Admin Bursary   

South African Society of Crop Production (SASCP) Bursary

UNISA Bursaries

Mining Qualifications Authority (MQA) Bursary

Inkomati-Usuthu Catchment Management Agency (IUCMA) Bursaries

Takealot Bursary    

Moses Kotane Institute Bursary

RichField Graduate Institute Bursary

Seriti Scholarship

CA Campus Bursary

Stellenbosch University Department of Genetics MSc Bursary

BEKA Schreder Bursary

GrandWest Bursaries

NHFC Bursary Fund

ClubX Magazine Bursary

Digby Wells Bursary

Cape Wools SA Bursary Fund 

Mazars CA Audit Bursary

Mitchell’s Plain Bursary and Role Model Trust Bursary

Bowmans Bursary    

General Electric (GE) Bursary

DENOSA Bursary    

Gibela Rail Bursary Scheme

SAWISE Angus Scholarship

Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Bursary

TBWA Bursary

AfriSam Bursary

Illovo Sugar Ltd Bursary

Vhembe District Municipality Mayoral Bursary

AAUW International Fellowship Program

Public Investment Corporation (PIC) Bursary

PSG Bursary

BMW Bursaries

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

Department of Mineral Resources Bursary

Agbiz Centenary Bursary

KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission Bursary

SUBTROP Lindsey Milne Bursary

SANZAF Zakah Bursary

NYDA-African Scholars Fund Bursary

Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads & Infrastructure Bursary

HCI Foundation Bursary

Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality Bursary

Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Programme (DAFI) Scholarship

BDO South Africa Incorporated Bursary

PSA Stiglingh Memorial Bursary

Athlone Institute Bursary

Southern African Journalists’ Bursary

FoodBev SETA Bursary

Commonwealth Scholarships: Split-site Ph.D. Scholarships

Poliomyelitis Research Foundation Bursaries

Maize Trust Bursary

NEET (National Economic Education Trust) Bursary

South African Geomatics Council Bursary

PG Group Bursary South Africa   

SAICE Patrons Engineering Bursary Scheme

UNISA Postgraduate Diploma and Honors Bursaries

 

How Do I Get a Bursary Award In South Africa?

How To Get A Bursary In South Africa?

Every donor organization has its own set of rules and requirements, but here are general guidelines to help you qualify, and obtain a bursary award. 

Most of the Bursaries listed above Require you to be a South African citizen (or South African permanent resident) in that case you will need to have your Identity Documents ready. These are usually the same Identity Documents you used to gain admission for your studies. 

Some Bursaries are actually made to assist International Students; for these, you will need to provide Identity Documents from your home country, backed by proof that you are indeed studying in South Africa.

Some Bursaries require you to be currently studying or at least to have applied to study at a South African institution. You can scale this by providing your Matric Results, or by providing your recent results at the school you are currently attending. 

Some Bursaries require you to have a strong academic history (some bursaries require good grades in certain subject – e.g. Maths/Science/Languages) 

Some Bursaries are only open to students who come from certain municipalities. You may then need to provide some proof of residency.

Some Bursaries require you to have a proven financial need (often this can be done by submitting proof of household income) 

I believe the above details answer your question on how to get a bursary in South Africa.

How to Apply for a Bursary in South Africa

In order to apply for a Bursary in South Africa, you will need to visit the website registration portal created by the awarding organization. A list of these donor organizations and some of their websites have been provided above.

When you visit the website you then click on register.

You fill out the Online Form, providing the Required Information.

You upload the required documentation. Please ensure that you have read the requirements; every donor organization has its own unique set of rules and requirements, but you will most likely be required to upload documents confirming your nationality such as your national identity card, and then a copy of your results such as Matric, or results from a recent school term. You may also be required to provide proof that you need the financial aid; you may upload your income documents.

 

Where to Apply for a Bursary in South Africa?

Alternatively, you may visit the financial assistance office of your school, and request information about bursaries. Some donor organizations liaise with schools, providing physical forms for interested students who then fill them, and submit them to the school authorities. Some institutions themselves provide financial assistance for students who have trouble with the financial demands of their education.

Which Companies Offer Bursaries in South Africa?

There is a long list of companies that offer bursaries in South Africa; some of these companies offer course-specific bursaries; that is the bursaries only apply to students studying specific courses. Some companies offer these bursaries with the understanding that upon graduation the students will work for them, thereby bringing their knowledge and abilities to use in service of the companies. A few of the companies offering bursaries are given below:

Shoprite : Understanding to work.

Eskom: Understanding to Work.  

SAICA: For students studying Accounting

American Embassy: Open to all.

Oppenheimer Memorial: Open to all.

Anglo American: Mining.

ABSA: Banking, Accounting, etc.

The full list of bursaries available in South Africa is detailed above.

 

Are Bursaries Taxable in South Africa?

No, Bursaries are not taxable in South Africa. Bursaries do not require you to pay any money either.

 

Do Foreigners Qualify for Bursaries in South Africa?

Yes, Foreigners can get bursaries in South Africa, although the options are fewer and far between. Foreign students can still apply to the financial aid department of their schools for further information on available bursaries. 

Related:

• Who Qualifies for NSFAS Bursary
• Bursaries for Studying to become a Pilot in South Africa
• Bursaries For Zimbabwean Students In South Africa

Conclusion:

With this list of South Africa bursaries available you should now get to work by researching each of these bursary awarding institutions, so as to ensure that you have the requirements to enable you to get picked for a bursary award. When you have found a bursary that is suitable for you, you have to officially apply. Some of these awarding organizations have their application processes online, and anyone who wishes to apply to the bursaries will have to do so by visiting their websites.

It is important to ensure that you follow all the guidelines as instructed on their website.