The Industrial Development Corporation invites qualifying South African students to apply for the IDC External Bursary Scheme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Study Location: South African public universities and universities of technology
IDC External Bursary Scheme 2027
The Industrial Development Corporation, commonly known as the IDC, has opened applications for its External Bursary Scheme for the 2027 academic year.
The bursary supports academically deserving South African students who demonstrate financial need and intend to study full-time at a public university or university of technology.
Funding is available for selected undergraduate qualifications in Finance, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, Law and other approved fields.
Limited funding is also available for selected Honours programmes.
IDC Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: Industrial Development Corporation
Programme: IDC External Bursary Scheme
Academic year: 2027
Opening date: 01 June 2026
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Maximum age: 26 years
Study mode: Full-time
Eligible institutions: South African public universities and universities of technology
Application method: Online
Household income threshold: Up to R350 000 per year, with selected applicants earning up to R600 000 considered after an affordability assessment
What the IDC Bursary Covers
Successful bursary recipients may receive financial support for the following approved study expenses:
- Full tuition fees
- University accommodation
- University-accredited off-campus accommodation
- A once-off laptop
- Meal allowance
- Transport allowance
- Other approved study-related expenses
The final funding package will be subject to the conditions contained in the bursary agreement.
Finance, Management and Business Fields Funded
Applications will be considered for the following approved qualifications:
- Accounting leading to Chartered Accountancy
- Financial Management
- Internal Auditing
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Investment Management
- Risk Management
- Transport Management
- Logistics Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Economics
- Econometrics
- Business Management
- Financial Accounting
- Financial Engineering
Applicants studying qualifications outside the approved list may not be considered.
Engineering, Science and Technology Fields Funded
The IDC bursary supports selected STEM qualifications, including:
- Industrial Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronic Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Construction-related Engineering
- Quantity Surveying
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Geology
- Actuarial Science
- Data Science
- Environmental Science
- Quantitative Risk Management
- Physics
- Bachelor of Science programmes
- Biotechnology
- Agricultural Studies
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Computer Science
- Information Science
- BCom Information Systems
- Information Technology
Applicants must confirm that the exact qualification appears on the IDC-approved list before submitting an application.
Law and Education Fields Funded
The bursary may support the following qualifications:
- BCom Law specialising in Commercial Law
- Bachelor of Laws
- Diploma in Law Studies
- Education
Only the law and education qualifications specifically listed by the IDC will be considered.
Honours Programmes Funded
Although the bursary primarily supports first undergraduate qualifications, selected Honours programmes may be funded.
Approved postgraduate fields include:
- Postgraduate Law qualifications
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Actuarial Science
- Accounting CTA
Postgraduate programmes outside these fields will not be funded.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must meet the following general eligibility requirements:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be 26 years old or younger.
- Be unemployed.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be studying or intending to study full-time.
- Be admitted to a South African public university or university of technology.
- Be pursuing a qualification listed among the IDC-approved fields.
- Be studying towards a first undergraduate qualification, except for the approved Honours programmes.
- Meet the applicable academic requirements.
- Submit all compulsory documents.
Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee that an applicant will receive funding.
First Qualification Requirement
The IDC External Bursary generally supports students completing their first qualification.
The bursary does not ordinarily fund:
- A second undergraduate qualification
- Unapproved postgraduate studies
- Qualifications outside the published fields
- Studies at institutions that do not meet the eligibility requirements
The limited exception applies to approved Honours programmes in Law, Accounting, Actuarial Science, Mathematics and Statistics.
Household Income Requirements
The bursary is aimed mainly at students whose parents or guardians have a combined household income of:
Up to R350 000 per year
Applicants with combined household income between:
R350 000 and R600 000 per year
may also apply.
These applicants will be considered through an affordability assessment as part of the selection process.
Applicants must disclose all sources of household income accurately.
Academic Requirements for Matric Learners
Current Matric learners should have strong academic performance.
Preference may be given to Matric applicants with:
- A minimum result or academic score of 75%
- Strong performance in subjects required for the chosen qualification
- Results that meet university admission requirements
Applicants completing Matric in 2026 must submit:
- Grade 11 results
- June 2026 results
They must later meet the admission requirements of their selected public university or university of technology.
Academic Requirements for Tertiary Students
Current university students must have:
- A minimum average of 65% in their latest academic results
- Satisfactory academic progress
- Admission or registration for an eligible qualification
- The ability to maintain a minimum GPA of 60% during the funded programme
The IDC may review academic performance when determining whether funding should continue.
Applicants Who Receive Preference
The selection process may give preference to:
- Students living with disabilities
- Applicants from Quintile 1, 2 and 3 public schools
- Students from previously disadvantaged communities
- Applicants from rural areas
- Academically strong students
- Applicants with significant financial need
The IDC may apply a weighting system that considers academic performance, financial circumstances and transformation objectives.
Compulsory Supporting Documents
All applicants must submit the required supporting documents.
Certified documents must not be older than three months.
The required documents include:
- Recently certified South African identity document
- 2026 mid-year or first-semester results
- Latest academic results if not studying during 2026
- Matric certificate, where applicable
- Grade 11 and June 2026 results for current Matric learners
- Proof of admission or application to an eligible institution
- Proof of household income
- Certified identity documents for both parents or guardians
- Recently certified proof of residence
Proof of Household Income
Applicants must submit documents that accurately reflect the income status of their parents or guardians.
Depending on the household circumstances, these may include:
- Latest certified payslips for employed parents or guardians
- Three months of bank statements for employed parents
- An affidavit confirming unemployment and annual income
- Six months of bank statements for unemployed or self-employed parents
- A SASSA letter confirming social grants received
- Death certificates where one or both parents are deceased
- Divorce certificate where parents are divorced
- A sworn statement where parents are separated
Applicants should provide documentation for both parents unless their family circumstances make this impossible.
Certification Requirements
All certified copies must be recent and not older than three months.
Applicants should check:
- That every certification stamp is visible
- That the commissioner’s details can be read
- That the certification date is included
- That all pages are clear
- That no required documents are missing
Unclear, expired or incomplete supporting documents may delay or invalidate an application.
How to Apply for the IDC Bursary Programme 2027
Applications must be completed through the official IDC online bursary portal.
Click here to apply for the IDC Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Open the official IDC Bursary Portal.
- Register an applicant profile.
- Complete all compulsory personal and academic sections.
- Enter accurate household-income information.
- Select the correct field of study.
- Upload all compulsory supporting documents.
- Complete the interview questionnaire.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit it before the closing date.
- Keep proof of submission.
Applicants may also visit the IDC website, select About IDC, and then open the Bursaries section.
Application Closing Date
Applications close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.
Late or incomplete applications may not be considered.
Students are encouraged to begin the application early because gathering income documents, certified copies and academic records may take time.
Bursary Enquiries
Applicants who need assistance may contact:
Contact person: Noluthando Baepi
Telephone: 011 269 3374
Email: noluthandob@idc.co.za
Alternative email: ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za
The contact details should be used for bursary-related enquiries. Applications must still be completed online.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting the application, applicants should confirm that:
- They are South African citizens.
- They are not older than 26.
- Their qualification appears on the approved list.
- They intend to study full-time.
- Their institution is a public university or university of technology.
- Their certified documents are not older than three months.
- Household-income documents are complete.
- Their academic results meet the minimum requirements.
- The online interview questionnaire has been completed.
Only successful applicants may be notified by email.
About the Industrial Development Corporation
The Industrial Development Corporation is a South African development finance institution that supports industrial development, economic growth, investment and job creation.
Through its External Bursary Scheme, the IDC helps develop future professionals in fields required by South Africa’s industrial, financial, technological and economic sectors.