The Sasol Foundation invites qualifying South African students to apply for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 23 August 2026
Bursary Location: Approved public universities in South Africa
Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Applications are currently open for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme for students who intend to study during the 2027 academic year.
The programme supports academically capable and financially deserving South African students pursuing their first undergraduate qualification in priority fields.
Applications opened on:
1 August 2026
and will close on:
23 August 2026
Bursary Programme Overview
Organisation: Sasol Foundation
Programme: Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Study level: Undergraduate
Study mode: Full-time
Citizenship: South African citizens by birth
Age requirement: Younger than 25 years at application
Household income limit: R800 000 per annum
Applications opened: 1 August 2026
Applications close: 23 August 2026
Application method: Online
Sasol Bursary Opportunities Available for 2027
The information supplied lists the following bursary categories:
- Sasol Foundation STEM Bursaries
- Sasol Foundation Non-STEM Bursaries
- Sasol Mining Fence-line Bursary Programme
- Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme, which is currently closed
Applicants should ensure that they select the bursary programme applicable to their field of study and circumstances.
Sasol Foundation STEM Bursaries
The STEM bursary programme supports qualifications in:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
Priority is given to qualifications connected to future industries and skills areas, particularly:
- Green Economy
- Digitalisation
Relevant fields may include engineering, technology, data, environmental science and other future-focused STEM disciplines.
Postgraduate studies are not available under the supplied 2027 Sasol Foundation STEM bursary information.
Priority STEM Study Areas
Examples of priority study areas include:
- Engineering
- Information Technology
- Data Science
- Agricultural Science
- Environmental Science
- Medical Sciences
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Other future-focused STEM disciplines
Applicants should check the official bursary portal for the final list of qualifications accepted for the 2027 funding cycle.
Engineering and Science Degrees
The supplied information identifies undergraduate qualifications including:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mining Engineering
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Chemistry
- Geology
- Data Science
- Computer Science
- Statistics
- Operations Research
Mine Surveying at the University of Johannesburg is also listed as supported under specified conditions.
Sasol Foundation Non-STEM Bursaries
Non-STEM bursaries are more restricted.
According to the supplied information, these bursaries are intended for qualifying applicants who fall into one of the following groups:
- Children of Sasol employees
- Children of Sasol Khanyisa shareholders
- Students from Sasol fence-line communities
Applicants must still meet the bursary’s other eligibility and academic requirements.
Postgraduate qualifications are not funded under this programme.
Sasol Mining Fence-line Bursary Programme
A separate Sasol Mining Fence-line Bursary Programme is also expected to open for students from qualifying mining fence-line communities.
Applications are scheduled to open:
24 August 2026
and close:
13 September 2026
This is separate from the Sasol Foundation application period ending on 23 August 2026.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for the Sasol Foundation bursary must:
- Be South African citizens by birth.
- Be younger than 25 years at the time of application.
- Be pursuing their first undergraduate qualification.
- Study or intend to study full-time.
- Meet the relevant academic requirements.
- Meet household-income verification requirements.
- Have a combined annual household income of R800 000 or less.
- Study at an institution and in a qualification accepted by the bursary programme.
First-Year Applicant Requirements
Applicants seeking first-year funding should:
- Be currently completing Matric; or
- Have completed Matric within one year of applying.
- Meet the academic requirements for their intended degree.
- Qualify for admission to the relevant university programme.
Applicants should ensure that their most recent academic results are available when applying.
Current University Student Requirements
Students already studying at university and applying for funding for a subsequent year must have an overall academic average of at least:
60%
This applies to students seeking support for their second, third or fourth year of undergraduate study.
Applicants must also remain academically eligible for their degree.
Household Income Requirement
The combined annual household income may not exceed:
R800 000
Applicants should be prepared to provide supporting income documentation for parents, guardians or other relevant household earners.
Financial need forms part of the selection process.
Engineering Academic Requirements
For BEng and BSc Engineering programmes, applicants generally require:
- Mathematics: 70% to 79%
- Physical Sciences: 70% to 79%
- Appropriate English results
For BEng Tech programmes, the supplied information lists:
- Mathematics: 60% to 69%
- Physical Sciences: 60% to 69%
- Appropriate English results
Applicants should confirm the precise requirements for their selected qualification through the official Sasol bursary portal.
Mathematics Requirements
For the listed Engineering and Science bursaries:
Technical Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy are not accepted.
Applicants should therefore ensure that their school results meet the Mathematics requirement applicable to the qualification.
Institution Requirements
The supplied information states that applicants must study at an approved South African public university.
It also refers earlier to public universities and Universities of Technology, but later states that University of Technology qualifications are generally not funded except for specified Mine Surveying arrangements.
Because these statements are not fully consistent, applicants studying or planning to study at a University of Technology should confirm their programme’s eligibility directly on the official Sasol bursary portal before applying.
Study Options Not Funded
According to the supplied bursary information, the following are not funded:
- UNISA studies
- Diploma qualifications
- Postgraduate qualifications under the Foundation programme
- Hybrid or combined degree programmes
- Certain University of Technology qualifications, subject to programme exceptions
Applicants should confirm their exact qualification before submitting an application.
What the Sasol Foundation Bursary Covers
The supplied information describes the bursary as providing comprehensive financial support.
The exact funding components and monetary limits are not listed in the provided information.
Applicants should check the official award conditions for details relating to:
- Tuition
- Registration
- Accommodation
- Learning materials
- Allowances
- Other approved educational expenses
Academic and Development Support
Successful bursary recipients may also receive:
- Academic support.
- Development opportunities.
- Student support initiatives.
- Exposure to Sasol development programmes.
- Possible graduate-development opportunities depending on the specific programme.
The exact support offered will depend on the bursary terms applicable to successful applicants.
Selection Process
Applicants may progress through several selection stages, including:
- Online application.
- Academic screening.
- Eligibility verification.
- Household income verification.
- Psychometric assessments.
- Interviews where applicable.
- Final selection.
Applicants should ensure that their contact information remains current throughout the selection period.
Psychometric Assessments
Psychometric assessments form part of the selection process.
Applicants selected for this stage should follow all instructions provided by Sasol and complete the assessments within the required timeframe.
Completing the assessment does not automatically guarantee bursary funding.
Application Outcome
The supplied information indicates that applicants should expect outcomes by approximately:
The end of November 2026
Only applicants who successfully complete the required selection stages will receive bursary offers.
Required Application Documents
Applicants should prepare documents such as:
- South African identity document.
- Latest academic results.
- Full academic transcript for current university students.
- Proof of university registration where applicable.
- Proof of permanent residential address.
- Household income documentation.
- Any additional supporting documents required on the application portal.
Applicants should rely on the final online document checklist because requirements may differ depending on their study level.
How to Apply for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official Sasol bursary portal.
Click here to apply for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants should:
- Open the official Sasol bursary portal.
- Select the relevant 2027 bursary programme.
- Register or sign in.
- Complete all personal details.
- Provide accurate academic information.
- Enter household-income details.
- Upload all required documents.
- Complete any declarations.
- Review the application.
- Submit it before 23 August 2026.
Technical Application Support
Applicants experiencing technical difficulties with the application process may contact the Sasol bursary call centre on:
086 010 6235
This number should be used for bursary application assistance.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications for the Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme close on:
23 August 2026
Applications are currently open.
Applicants should avoid waiting until the final day because incomplete applications or missing documents may prevent successful submission.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should note that:
- South African citizenship by birth is required.
- Applicants must be younger than 25.
- Only first undergraduate qualifications are supported.
- Full-time study is required.
- The household income limit is R800 000 per year.
- Current university students require at least a 60% overall average.
- Postgraduate funding is not available under the supplied Foundation programme.
- Diploma studies are not funded.
- UNISA studies are not eligible.
- Psychometric assessments may be required.
- Applicants should verify University of Technology eligibility carefully.
- Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee funding.
Application Checklist
Before applying, confirm that:
You submit online by 23 August 2026.
You are a South African citizen by birth.
You are younger than 25 years old.
You are pursuing your first undergraduate degree.
You will study full-time.
Your qualification is included in the approved funding fields.
Your university is eligible.
Your household income does not exceed R800 000 per year.
You meet the Mathematics and Physical Sciences requirements where applicable.
Your academic records are ready.
Your identity document is available.
Your household income documents are ready.
Your proof of residence is available where required.
Your application is complete.