South African students looking for funding for the 2027 academic year should take note of several bursary programmes with application deadlines approaching in September 2026.
There are bursary opportunities available for Matric learners, undergraduate students and postgraduate students studying Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, Science, Law, Agriculture, GIS, Town Planning, Logistics and many other fields.
Most of the bursaries below close on 30 September 2026, while the Volkswagen Group Africa bursary closes earlier on 28 September 2026.
1. Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) Bursaries 2027
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) invites qualifying South African undergraduate students to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 28 September 2026 at 12:00 midday
Bursary Location: South Africa
Students should submit their applications before midday on the closing date.
Click here to view Volkswagen Group Africa Bursaries 2027
2. Tomorrow Trust Bursaries 2027
Tomorrow Trust invites qualifying South African students from under-resourced communities to apply for its 2027 undergraduate bursary programme.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The programme supports undergraduate studies in fields including BSc Sciences, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Property Sciences and other STEM-related qualifications.
Funding may include tuition, textbooks, equipment, accommodation and living allowances. Successful students may also receive mentorship, coaching, psychosocial support and career-development assistance.
Click here to apply for Tomorrow Trust Bursaries 2027
3. Standard Bank Group Bursaries 2027
Standard Bank Group invites academically strong and financially deserving South African students to apply for its Bursary Programme for 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The programme provides full-cost funding for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students. Applicants are generally required to have an academic average of at least 65%.
Click here to apply for Standard Bank Group Bursaries 2027
4. IDC Bursaries 2027
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) invites qualifying South African students to apply for its External Bursary Scheme for 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Study Location: South African public universities and universities of technology
Funding is available for selected qualifications in Finance, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, Law and other approved fields. Limited funding is also available for selected Honours programmes.
The bursary may cover tuition, accommodation, a once-off laptop, meals, transport and other approved study expenses.
Click here to apply for IDC Bursaries 2027
5. South African Reserve Bank (SARB) External Bursaries 2027
The South African Reserve Bank invites qualifying students to apply for its External Bursary Scheme for undergraduate studies in 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Fields supported include Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Finance, Information Technology, Law, Mathematical Statistics and other areas relevant to the work of the SARB.
Click here to apply for SARB Bursaries 2027
6. SARB Economics Bursaries 2027
Students interested specifically in Economics-related studies can also consider the South African Reserve Bank Economics Bursary.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
The programme supports studies in fields such as Economics, Economics and Econometrics, Economics and Mathematical Statistics and Economic Science.
Applicants should check the full requirements and ensure that all compulsory supporting documents are submitted.
Click here to view SARB Economics Bursaries 2027
7. SANRAL External Bursaries 2027
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) invites qualifying South African Matric learners and matriculants to apply for its External Bursary Programme.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: Recognised public tertiary institutions in South Africa
The bursary is aimed at qualifying students planning to begin their first undergraduate qualification in 2027.
Fields include Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Human Resources Management, Public Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
Full and partial bursaries are available depending on assessed financial need.
Click here to apply for SANRAL External Bursaries 2027
8. SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) invites postgraduate students to apply for bursary funding for 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The programme is aimed at students pursuing Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
Relevant areas include space science, engineering, remote sensing, environmental science, GIS and other STEM-related research fields.
Click here to apply for SANSA Bursaries 2027
9. Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Bursaries 2027
The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development (DLRRD) invites qualifying students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and rural communities to apply for its 2027 bursary programme.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
Funding is available for qualifications in areas including Geomatics, Geographic Information Systems, Surveying, Land Surveying, Town Planning, Urban Planning and Regional Planning.
The bursary provides financial assistance towards tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a living allowance.
Click here to apply for DLRRD Bursaries 2027
10. National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Bursaries 2027
The National Housing Finance Corporation invites financially disadvantaged South African students to apply for its Bursary Programme for 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: Accredited tertiary institutions across South Africa
The programme supports undergraduate students from second year onwards as well as postgraduate students.
Supported study areas include the Built Environment, Construction Economics, Development Studies and other qualifications relevant to housing, property and finance.
Click here to apply for NHFC Bursaries 2027
11. Amazon Operations Bursaries 2027
Amazon Commercial Services South Africa invites qualifying South African students to apply for its Operations Bursary Programme.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The full-cost recruitment bursary is aimed at students who will be completing the final year of a four-year degree or an Honours degree in 2027.
Supported fields include Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Operations Management, Data Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, Management and Finance.
Applicants are expected to maintain an academic average of at least 70%. Successful bursary recipients are expected to join Amazon as interns after graduating in 2028.
Click here to apply for Amazon Operations Bursaries 2027
12. SANSOR Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
The South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) invites qualifying postgraduate students to apply for bursary funding for 2027.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: Recognised and accredited tertiary institutions in South Africa
The programme supports Honours, Master’s and PhD research relevant to the South African seed industry.
Fields include Agronomy, Biotechnology, Entomology, Genetics, Horticulture, Molecular Plant Biology, Pasture Science, Plant Breeding, Plant Pathology and Plant Physiology.
Click here to apply for SANSOR Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
13. Amandla Omoya Trust Bursaries 2027
The Amandla Omoya Trust invites qualifying students living within a 50km radius of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm to apply for its Community Bursary Programme.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: Communities surrounding Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, Eastern Cape, South Africa
The bursary is open to students studying or intending to study in qualifying programmes at NQF Level 6 or higher, including degrees, national diplomas and qualifying technical or vocational programmes.
Click here to apply for Amandla Omoya Trust Bursaries 2027
14. CISCO Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa Bursaries 2027
CISCO Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa invites qualifying South African students to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: South Africa
The programme focuses on supporting academically deserving and financially needy students pursuing technology-related studies, including students from households that fall within the so-called missing-middle income group.
Click here to apply for CISCO South Africa Bursaries 2027
Apply Before 30 September 2026
Students should avoid waiting until the final day to apply. Many bursary programmes require academic records, proof of household income, certified identification documents, proof of university admission or registration and other supporting documentation.
Requirements differ between bursaries, so applicants should open the individual bursary opportunity and check the eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
Students can also regularly check the StudentRoom bursary page for newly announced 2027 funding opportunities.