MultiChoice Bursary Programme
MultiChoice South Africa
The MultiChoice Bursary Programme funds South African undergraduate, Honours and Master's students in scarce-skill STEM and media fields such as actuarial science, engineering, IT, data science and digital media. It offered 230 bursaries for the 2025 academic year, administered by Skills 123 with Student Village. MultiChoice has been owned by France's Canal+ since late 2025, and no 2027 round had been announced as of 12 October 2026.
- Amount
- One academic year of funding: tuition (including registration), accommodation and an annual living allowance; existing bursars can reapply for the following year
- Deadline
- To be announced
- Duration
- One academic year, renewable on reapplication
- Renewable
- Yes
Eligible Fields of Study
MultiChoice South Africa supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen
- ✓ Registered, or intending to register, full-time at a South African university or institution of higher learning
- ✓ Studying in a field aligned to MultiChoice's focus areas, at any level up to NQF 9
- ✓ First-time undergraduate, Honours or Master's student
- ✓ Minimum 75% matric average for school leavers, or a 65% average for current university students (2025 round)
- ✓ Selected on academic performance and financial need under MultiChoice's external bursary policy
- ✓ The bursary does not cover historical (outstanding) student debt
What's Included
- ✓ Tuition fees, including registration
- ✓ Accommodation
- ✓ Annual living allowance
- ✓ Funding for one academic year at a time; existing bursars can reapply, subject to academic performance
How to Apply
Steps to complete your MultiChoice South Africa bursary application
- 1
Watch the official portal at multichoice.bursary.sv.co.za and multichoice.com for the next round (past rounds opened in late November or early December)
- 2
When the round opens, register on the portal and complete the online application (existing MultiChoice bursars use the reapplication option)
- 3
Upload proof of acceptance or registration from an accredited South African institution
- 4
Upload your parents' or guardians' proof of income
- 5
Submit a complete, signed application before the closing date; incomplete or unsigned applications are not considered
- 6
Wait for shortlisting and assessment outcomes
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified ID copy
- 📄 Latest academic results (Grade 12 or tertiary)
- 📄 Proof of acceptance / registration at an accredited South African university
- 📄 Parents/guardians' recent payslips (or affidavit if unemployed, grant or pension proof)
- 📄 Curriculum vitae
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do MultiChoice bursary applications open for 2027?
- No 2027 dates had been announced as of 12 October 2026, and the official portal reads "Applications are now closed for 2026". Past rounds opened in late November or early December and closed in late January; the last published window ran from 2 December 2024 to 31 January 2025.
- Is the MultiChoice bursary still running after the Canal+ takeover?
- Canal+ completed its takeover of MultiChoice in late 2025, and MultiChoice was delisted from the JSE on 10 December 2025. MultiChoice has not announced an end to the bursary, but no 2026 or 2027 round could be found on its official channels as of 12 October 2026, so check the official portal before relying on any date.
- Who can apply for the MultiChoice bursary?
- In the 2025 round: South African citizens registered, or intending to register, at a South African institution of higher learning as first-time undergraduate, Honours or Master's students, in a field aligned to MultiChoice's focus areas such as actuarial science, engineering, IT, data science, digital media, film and television, or accounting and finance.
- What academic results do I need for the MultiChoice bursary?
- In the 2025 round, matriculants needed a minimum overall average of 75% and current university students an academic average of 65% or higher. Selection also considers financial need.
- Is the MultiChoice bursary renewable?
- The bursary covers one academic year at a time and does not pay historical debt. Existing MultiChoice bursars could reapply through the portal in past rounds, subject to academic performance.
- How many MultiChoice bursaries are awarded each year?
- MultiChoice offered 230 bursaries for the 2025 academic year and more than 200 for 2024. It has not published a figure for 2026 or 2027.
When do 2027 applications open?
MultiChoice South Africa has not yet announced dates for the 2027 intake.
MultiChoice has historically opened applications in late November or early December and closed them in late January (27 January 2024 for the 2024 intake; 2 December 2024 to 31 January 2025 for 2025). No 2026-intake dates were published on MultiChoice's official channels, and as of 12 October 2026 the official portal reads "Applications are now closed for 2026" with no 2027 round announced.
Check MultiChoice South Africa's official siteInformation verified 2026-10-12. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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