The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) invites academically deserving South African students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds to apply for the IDC External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South African public universities and universities of technology
IDC Bursary Programme 2027
The Industrial Development Corporation is offering its External Bursary Programme to qualifying students who want to pursue studies in fields regarded as important to South Africa’s economic and industrial development.
The bursary is mainly aimed at students pursuing their first undergraduate qualification, although limited postgraduate funding may be considered in selected fields.
Applications opened on 1 June 2026 and will close on 30 September 2026.
Bursary Programme Overview
Organisation: Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
Programme: IDC External Bursary Programme 2027
Funding Type: Full study bursary
Citizenship: South African citizens
Maximum Age: 26 years
Study Mode: Full-time
Institution: Public University or University of Technology
Preferred Household Income: R350,000 per annum or less
Household Income Considered: Up to R600,000 per annum, subject to affordability assessment
Opening Date: 1 June 2026
Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Application Method: Online
Fields of Study Funded
The IDC funds selected qualifications across Engineering, Science, Technology, Agriculture, Commerce, Finance, Law and quantitative disciplines.
Engineering Fields
Qualifying Engineering-related programmes include:
- Industrial Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Metallurgy Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
Science and Technology Fields
Funding may be available for:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Physics
- Biotechnology
- Geology
- Environmental Science
- Bachelor of Science programmes
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Information Science
- Information Technology
- BCom Information Systems
Agricultural Studies
The bursary may fund:
- Agricultural Studies
- Agriculture-related qualifications
Finance and Commerce Fields
Eligible fields include:
- Accounting – CA stream
- Financial Management
- Internal Audit
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Investment Management
- Risk Management
- Finance Studies
- Economics
- Econometrics
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Engineering
- Business Management
- Entrepreneurship
Supply Chain and Logistics Fields
The IDC also supports selected studies in:
- Transport Management
- Logistics Management
- Supply Chain Management
Law Qualifications
Funding may be available for:
- BCom Law – Commercial Law
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Diploma Law Studies
- Selected postgraduate Law qualifications
Quantitative Fields
Applicants studying the following may also be considered:
- Actuarial Science
- Quantitative Risk Management
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be unemployed.
- Be no older than 26 years.
- Be studying or intending to study full-time.
- Attend or plan to attend a South African public university or university of technology.
- Meet the required academic standards.
- Be pursuing an eligible field of study.
Requirements for Current Matric Learners
Grade 12 learners completing Matric in 2026 must submit:
- Grade 11 final results.
- June 2026 Grade 12 results.
Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum:
APS of 75%
Requirements for Current University Students
Current tertiary students must have achieved at least:
65% average in their latest academic results
Bursary recipients are expected to maintain a minimum:
60% GPA
throughout the bursary funding period.
Household Income Requirements
Preference is given to applicants whose combined household income is:
R350,000 per annum or less
Applicants from households earning between:
R350,000 and R600,000 per annum
may still be considered, subject to an affordability assessment.
Preference Criteria
Additional consideration may be given to:
- Students living with disabilities.
- Learners from Quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools.
- Applicants from rural communities.
- Students from historically disadvantaged communities.
- Academically strong candidates.
- Applicants demonstrating financial need.
What the IDC Bursary Covers
Successful applicants may receive funding for:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees.
- Examination fees where applicable.
- University residence accommodation.
- University-accredited off-campus accommodation.
- Academic resources.
- Meal allowance.
- Transport allowance.
- Once-off laptop allocation.
Qualifications Not Normally Funded
Applicants should note that the programme primarily supports a:
First undergraduate qualification
The IDC does not generally fund:
- Second qualifications.
- Most postgraduate qualifications.
Postgraduate Funding Exceptions
Honours-level funding may be considered in selected fields, including:
- Law
- Accounting – CA
- Actuarial Science
- Mathematics
- Statistics
Applicants should confirm that their intended postgraduate programme falls within the eligible categories before applying.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must upload clear copies of the required supporting documents.
These include:
- Recently certified South African ID, preferably not older than three months.
- Recently certified proof of residence.
- Latest academic results.
- 2026 mid-year results where applicable.
- Matric certificate if Matric has already been completed.
- Grade 11 final results for current Matric learners.
- June 2026 Grade 12 results for current Matric learners.
Parent or Guardian Financial Documents
Depending on household circumstances, applicants may also be required to submit:
- Latest payslips.
- Three months’ bank statements.
- Affidavit for unemployed parents or guardians.
- Six months’ bank statements for self-employed parents.
- SASSA grant confirmation letter.
- Death certificates where parents are deceased.
- Certified copies of parents’ IDs.
- Divorce certificate where applicable.
- Sworn statement where parents are separated.
Incomplete supporting documentation may result in the application being disqualified.
How to Apply for IDC Bursary Programme 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the IDC bursary portal.
Click here to apply for Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants should:
- Complete the online application form.
- Complete the required interview questionnaire.
- Upload all compulsory supporting documents.
- Check that all personal and academic information is correct.
- Submit the application before the closing date.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
30 September 2026
Applications submitted after the closing date may not be considered.
Bursary Enquiries
For enquiries relating to the IDC External Bursary Programme, contact:
Noluthando Baepi
Telephone: 011 269 3374
Email: noluthandob@idc.co.za
Alternatively:
Email: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za
Important Application Notes
Applicants should note that:
- The programme is open to South African citizens.
- Applicants must be no older than 26 years.
- Full-time study is required.
- Funding is for study at public universities and universities of technology.
- Preference is given to financially disadvantaged students.
- Current university students need at least a 65% latest academic average.
- Current Matric learners should submit Grade 11 final and June 2026 Grade 12 results.
- The bursary can cover tuition, accommodation, meals, transport and a once-off laptop allocation.
- Second qualifications are not normally funded.
- Limited postgraduate funding is available only in specified fields.
- Complete supporting documentation must be submitted.
- Applications close on 30 September 2026.