South African students looking for funding for the 2027 academic year should take note of bursary opportunities with application deadlines between 2 and 9 October 2026.
Bursary Application Closing Dates: 2–9 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The bursaries currently identified within this deadline period include opportunities from the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Metacom Foundation, Tiso Foundation and Harmony Gold.
DFFE Bursaries 2027: Up to R80,000
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) invites qualifying South African Grade 12 learners and full-time students to apply for the DFFE Full-Time Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 2 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Maximum Bursary Amount: Up to R80,000
The bursary provides funding opportunities for students pursuing studies relevant to the department’s mandate, including environmental sciences, forestry, biodiversity, marine sciences, fisheries, engineering, climate change, waste management and related fields.
Click here to view DFFE Bursaries 2027
Students interested in this programme should apply as soon as possible because it is the first bursary on this list to close.
Metacom Foundation Bursaries 2027
The Metacom Foundation invites qualifying South African female students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for the Metacom Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 3 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The bursary is aimed at supporting eligible female students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds with their tertiary studies.
Click here to view Metacom Foundation Bursaries 2027
Applicants should check the full eligibility criteria, fields of study, funding provisions and supporting-document requirements before applying.
Tiso Foundation Bursaries 2027
The Tiso Foundation invites qualifying South African students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 8 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Study Level: Undergraduate Degree or Diploma
Fields of Study: Any field of study
The bursary supports qualifying students pursuing full-time undergraduate studies at recognised and accredited universities and universities of technology.
Click here to view Tiso Foundation Bursaries 2027
Harmony Gold Bursaries 2027
Harmony Gold Mining Company invites qualifying South African students to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 9 October 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Students interested in the programme should check the complete eligibility requirements, eligible fields of study and supporting documents before submitting an application.
Click here to view Harmony Gold Bursaries 2027
Bursaries Closing from 1 to 9 October 2026 at a Glance
| Bursary Programme | Closing Date |
|---|---|
| DFFE Full-Time Bursary Programme 2027 | 2 October 2026 |
| Metacom Foundation Bursary Programme 2027 | 3 October 2026 |
| Tiso Foundation Bursary Programme 2027 | 8 October 2026 |
| Harmony Gold Bursary Programme 2027 | 9 October 2026 |
Which Bursary Closes First?
Applicants should prioritise their applications according to the nearest deadline.
The DFFE Bursary closes on 2 October 2026, followed by the Metacom Foundation Bursary on 3 October, the Tiso Foundation Bursary on 8 October, and the Harmony Gold Bursary on 9 October 2026.
Waiting until the final day is not recommended. Students may need time to obtain academic records, certified documents, proof of registration or acceptance, household-income documents and other supporting information required by individual bursary providers.
Before You Apply
Check the requirements of each bursary carefully before submitting your application. A bursary may have specific requirements relating to citizenship, academic performance, household income, age, institution, field of study or demographic criteria.
Applicants should also make sure that all documents are readable and that the application is submitted through the method specified by the bursary provider.
Find More Bursaries for 2027
Students who do not qualify for the four opportunities above can continue checking StudentRoom for other bursaries with deadlines later in October and beyond.