10 Best Bursaries in South Africa 2026
If you are looking for study funding in South Africa, this is your updated list. Below are all 10 verified bursaries currently listed on Xhosadev ranked by closing date so you know exactly which ones to apply for first. Each one links directly to the full bursary page where you can read requirements and apply.
Quick tip: Apply to multiple bursaries at the same time. StudyTrust-administered bursaries (Standard Bank, Toyota, Wilmar) consider you for all bursaries you qualify for with a single application.
#1 Vodacom Bursary 2027 | STEM & Business
Sponsor: Vodacom
Type: Full bursary
Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Business, Commerce
Closing date: 26 August 2026 ⚠️ Closes first apply now
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 70% in Matric; 65% at tertiary level
Vodacom's bursary is one of the most comprehensive packages available to South African students. Beyond covering your fees, it includes a laptop, a cellphone, a meal allowance, structured vacation work, work readiness training, and access to a full wellness programme. It is aimed at students entering their 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of full-time undergraduate study in 2027 at an accredited SA institution.
What it covers:
Full tuition and registration fees
Accommodation (full university residence or capped private)
Meal allowance
Textbook allocation
Laptop and cellphone
Vacation work programme
Work Readiness skills training
Wellness Programme access
Requirements:
South African citizen by birth
Currently in Matric or completed Matric
Entering 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of undergraduate study in 2027
Minimum 70% exemption pass in Matric with 70% average across all subjects
Minimum 65% overall tertiary average (if already studying)
Demonstrated financial need
👉 View full details & apply Vodacom Bursary 2027
#2 Nedbank Bursary 2027 | STEM & Green Economy
Sponsor: Nedbank
Type: Full bursary
Fields: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), Green Economy skills
Closing date: 31 August 2026
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 65%
Nedbank's External Bursary Programme is forward-looking it specifically targets students in STEM and Green Economy fields, which are central to South Africa's sustainable development goals. This is a strong option for students studying renewable energy, environmental science, or related disciplines alongside traditional engineering and technology degrees. Contact the sponsor for full funding value details.
Requirements:
South African citizen
Currently in Matric or completed Matric
Studying or intending to study towards a first undergraduate or Honours degree/diploma full-time in 2027
Enrolled at a recognised public university or university of technology
Passed Mathematics in Matric (not Mathematics Literacy)
Minimum 65% overall average for the 2026 academic year
Minimum 65% for all subjects aligned to your qualification
Demonstrated financial need
Parental/guardian consent if under 18
👉 View full details & apply — Nedbank Bursary 2027
#3 — Standard Bank Bursary 2026 | Agriculture, Commerce & Engineering
Sponsor: Standard Bank Group
Type: Full bursary
Fields: Agriculture, Commerce, Engineering, Mathematics, Science, Statistics, Technology, Behavioural Economics
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 65%
The Standard Bank Group Bursary is one of South Africa's most prestigious corporate bursaries. It offers full financial cover plus a potential career pathway directly into Standard Bank upon graduation a major advantage for students who want more than just funding. The programme covers both undergraduate and postgraduate students across a wide range of critical fields.
What it covers:
University tuition fees
Accommodation (residence or private, subject to limits)
Meals
Books and study materials
Laptop computer
Monthly living stipend
Transport between home and campus (4 times per year)
Requirements:
Registered full-time at a public South African institution
Undergraduate: completed 1st year and requiring funding from 2nd year onwards
Postgraduate: pursuing studies up to Master's level
Minimum 65% academic average
Psychometric evaluation and interview form part of the selection process
Financial need is considered
Apply via the StudyTrust platform
👉 View full details & apply Standard Bank Bursary 2026
#4 Toyota SA Motors Bursary 2026 | Commerce, Engineering & Science
Sponsor: Toyota South Africa Motors
Type: Full bursary
Fields: Commerce, Engineering, Science
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 65% (Mathematics and English in Matric; overall tertiary average)
Toyota SA Motors invests in more than your degree it provides vacation work experience and a direct pathway into Toyota's graduate programme, giving recipients a head start in the automotive and mobility industry. This is one of the few corporate bursaries that actively bridges the gap between studying and working.
Commerce fields: Accounting (Non-CA), Analytics, Economics, Environmental Science, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Law (LLB), Marketing Management
Engineering fields: Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, Mechanical, Mechatronics Engineering
Science fields: Business Science Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology
Requirements:
South African citizen
Minimum 65% for Mathematics and English in Matric
Minimum 65% overall tertiary average
Strong academic and leadership potential
Apply via the StudyTrust platform (one application considers you for all qualifying StudyTrust bursaries)
👉 View full details & apply — Toyota SA Motors Bursary 2026
#5 — SANSA Bursary 2027 | Postgraduate STEM
Sponsor: South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
Type: Full bursary
Value: R170,000
Fields: STEM Applied Remote Sensing, GIS, Botany, Ecology, Environmental Science, Computer/Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Space Science, IT
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Location: All provinces (postgraduate level)
Minimum average: 65%
Age limit: 32 years or younger
SANSA's bursary is uniquely positioned for postgraduate students (Honours, Masters, or Doctoral) who want to build careers in South Africa's growing space sector. At R170,000, it is one of the highest-value bursaries on this list. Masters and PhD applicants must submit a draft research proposal signed by a proposed supervisor.
What it covers:
Tuition fees
Registration fees
Living expenses (stipend)
Research materials
Requirements:
32 years old or younger
Studying or intending to study at Honours, Masters, or PhD level in a qualifying STEM field
Minimum 65% average in last year of studies
Demonstrated financial need
Interest in working within the space sector
Masters/PhD: testimonial from a lecturer or proposed supervisor + draft proposal
👉 View full details & apply — SANSA Bursary 2027
#6 — Margaret McNamara Education Grants 2027 | Women
Sponsor: Margaret McNamara Education Grants (MMEG)
Type: Full grant
Value: Up to R126,000 (approx. US$7,000)
Fields: All fields of study
Closing date: 14 September 2026
Location: All provinces
For: Women / female-identifying students aged 25+
The MMEG grant is one of the few bursaries in South Africa open to all fields of study and all qualification levels Certificate, Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Doctorate. It is specifically for women who demonstrate both financial need and a commitment to improving the lives of women and children in their communities. Part-time students qualify, making this accessible to working students.
What it covers:
Tuition and registration fees
Study materials
Accommodation
Meals
Transport
Grant of up to R126,000 (approximately US$7,000)
Requirements:
South African national
Identifies as a woman/female
25 years old or older at the time of the application deadline
Officially enrolled at one of the selected accredited universities in South Africa
In-person studies, full-time or part-time (minimum 2 courses per semester)
Plans to graduate within 3 years of receiving the grant
Must still have at least 1 academic term remaining after the award
Not related to World Bank Group, IMF, Inter-American Development Bank, or MMEG Board staff members
When applying, select "South Africa program" as the first question.
👉 View full details & apply Margaret McNamara Education Grants 2027
#7 — Wilmar SA Bursary 2027 | Final Year Students
Sponsor: Wilmar South Africa
Type: Full bursary
Fields: Accounting, Agro-economics, Econometrics, Engineering, Finance, HR Management, International Trade, Operations Management, Production Management, Marketing, Sales, Supply Chain
Closing date: 19 August 2027 (long window — plan ahead)
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 70%
Wilmar SA's bursary is specifically aimed at students entering their final year of undergraduate study. It covers the essential costs tuition, accommodation, books, and a living allowance so you can focus entirely on completing your degree. Priority is given to Historically Disadvantaged Persons (HDPs) and students from underprivileged backgrounds.
What it covers:
Tuition fees
Accommodation
Book allowance
Living allowance
Requirements:
South African citizen
Historically Disadvantaged Person (HDP) and/or from an underprivileged background
Enrolled for an undergraduate degree in a qualifying field
Entering your final year in 2027
Studying at an accredited SA institution
Minimum 70% average in most recent examinations
Apply via StudyTrust platform
👉 View full details & apply Wilmar SA Bursary 2027
#8 eMedia Bursary 2026 | Media Studies
Sponsor: eMedia
Type: Partial bursary (tuition fees only)
Fields: Television, Radio, Broadcasting, Media Studies
Closing date: Apply as soon as possible — no fixed date listed
Location: All provinces
Minimum average: 65% NSC
For: First-year students only
If you are a first-year student studying towards a career in broadcasting, television, or radio, the eMedia Bursary is one of very few sector-specific options available. It covers tuition only, so it works best when combined with other financial support for living costs. Crucially, applicants must not have any other form of funding including NSFAS to qualify.
What it covers:
Tuition fees only
Requirements:
South African citizen
First-year student registered at a SA university in 2026
Enrolled for a degree or diploma in Television, Radio, Broadcasting, or Media Studies
Minimum 65% National Senior Certificate average
No other financial assistance, bursary, or NSFAS funding
Certified ID (not older than 3 months), NSC results, proof of university registration, fee statement, and parent/guardian income proof required
👉 View full details & apply — eMedia Bursary 2026
Bursary vs NSFAS what is the difference?
NSFAS is government funding for students from households earning under R350,000 per year.
A corporate or private bursary is different in key ways:
Many bursaries are open regardless of household income (merit and need both considered)
Bursaries often cover more than NSFAS laptop, stipend, transport, cellphone
Some bursaries require you to work for the sponsor after graduation
You can apply for both NSFAS and a bursary at the same time they are not mutually exclusive in most cases
Free tools to help you apply
Before you apply, make sure your CV is ready and your Z83 form is correctly completed. Xhosadev offers both for free:
📄 Free CV Builder — build a professional, recruitment-ready CV
📋 Z83 Digital Filler — complete the government Z83 form digitally
Browse all bursaries
This list is updated regularly as new bursaries open. See the full verified list:
👉 Browse all bursaries on Xhosadev
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Last updated: June 2026 · Source: Xhosadev Bursaries · Proudly South African 🇿🇦
— Lwandile Toto