South African Bursaries 2026
The complete directory of bursaries available to South African students - sorted by field of study. Each section covers eligibility, application deadlines, the amount offered, and how to apply.
Engineering Bursaries
Mining, mechanical, electrical, civil, chemical and industrial engineering bursaries from companies like Sasol, Eskom, Anglo American and merSETA.
Medical & Health Sciences Bursaries
Bursaries for medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and allied health sciences from Discovery, Life Healthcare, MRC and provincial health departments.
Accounting & Finance Bursaries
CA(SA), B.Compt, and finance bursaries from KPMG, Deloitte, PwC and the major South African banks.
Teaching & Education Bursaries
Funza Lushaka, NAPTOSA and provincial education department bursaries for student teachers.
Computer Science & IT Bursaries
Software engineering, data science and IT bursaries from Microsoft, AWS, Naspers and HPE.
Agriculture Bursaries
Bursaries for agricultural sciences, agribusiness, horticulture and food technology students.
General Bursaries
Multi-field bursaries open to a range of degrees, including Naspers, Oasis, Brand SA, SASSETA and SANRAL.
Postgraduate Bursaries
Honours, Masters and PhD funding from NRF, Canon Collins, Claude Leon Foundation and university research offices.
Government Bursaries
Department of Public Service, GCRA and provincial government bursaries.
Finance Bursaries
Banking and financial services bursaries for B.Com Finance, Investments and Risk Management students.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a bursary?
- A bursary is financial support awarded to students to help cover the cost of their studies. Unlike loans, bursaries usually do not need to be repaid, but most require the student to maintain academic performance and may include a work-back agreement after graduation.
- Who can apply for a bursary in South Africa?
- Most bursaries are open to South African citizens who meet the academic, financial and field-of-study requirements set by the funder. Specific eligibility differs by bursary.
- When do bursary applications open?
- Most South African bursaries for the following academic year open between March and September. Some, like NSFAS, have a fixed annual window (usually September–January). Check each individual bursary page for current dates.
- Can I apply for more than one bursary?
- Yes - you can and should apply to as many bursaries as you qualify for. If you receive multiple offers you can choose the best one, though some bursaries may not be combined with others.