The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) invites qualifying South African Matric learners and matriculants to apply for the External Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Bursary Location: Recognised public tertiary institutions in South Africa
SANRAL External Bursary Programme 2027
SANRAL is offering bursary funding to qualifying South African students who plan to start their first undergraduate qualification in 2027.
The bursary supports selected fields that are relevant to SANRAL’s operational and professional skills needs.
Funding is awarded based on academic performance and financial need, with both full and partial bursary packages available.
Bursary Programme Overview
Organisation: South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL)
Programme: External Bursary Programme 2027
Study Level: First-year undergraduate studies
Maximum Age: Under 35 years
Minimum Matric Average: 70%
Study Mode: Full-time
Institution Type: Recognised public tertiary institution
Closing Date: 30 September 2026
Application Method: Online
Fields of Study Funded
SANRAL will fund qualifying first-year students studying in the following fields:
- Civil Engineering – BSc or BEng
- Computer Science
- Information Systems
- Human Resources Management
- Public Procurement
- Supply Chain Management
What the SANRAL Bursary Covers
SANRAL offers both full and partial bursaries depending on the applicant’s assessed financial need.
Full Bursary
A full bursary may cover:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees.
- Study material.
- Study equipment.
- Accommodation.
- Meals.
- Living allowance.
- Access to a wellness plan.
Partial Bursary
A partial bursary may cover:
- Registration fees.
- Tuition fees.
- Accommodation.
- Access to a wellness plan.
The level of funding awarded will depend on the applicant’s financial circumstances.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be under the age of 35.
- Be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Be entering their first year of undergraduate study in 2027.
- Study full-time.
- Study in one of the approved fields.
- Attend or plan to attend a recognised public tertiary institution.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Not be receiving another bursary.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Academic Requirements
Current Matric learners must have achieved a minimum overall academic average of:
70%
Applicants should ensure that their academic results clearly demonstrate that they meet this requirement.
Institution Requirements
Applicants must study at a:
Recognised public tertiary institution in South Africa
The bursary does not cover studies at private institutions.
Study Mode
Applicants must study:
Full-time
Part-time and distance-learning programmes are not covered under the bursary requirements supplied.
First-Year Study Requirement
The bursary is aimed at students who will be entering:
First year of undergraduate study in 2027
Applicants already beyond first year are not included in the eligibility criteria provided.
Other Bursary Funding
Applicants must not be receiving funding from another bursary.
Candidates should therefore disclose any other funding arrangements accurately during the application process.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Certified copy of South African ID document or birth certificate.
- Certified Term 1 and Term 2 results for current Matric learners.
- Proof of tertiary registration or acceptance, where available.
- One-page motivational letter.
- Certified copies of parents’ or guardians’ ID documents.
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ income.
- Proof of parents’ or guardians’ residence.
Proof of Income
Depending on household circumstances, applicants should provide:
- Recent payslips where parents or guardians are employed.
- Certified affidavit where parents or guardians are unemployed.
- Certified affidavit where parents or guardians are self-employed.
The supplied information states that affidavits should not be older than three months.
Proof of Residence
Applicants should provide their parents’ or guardians’ proof of residence, such as a:
- Municipal water bill.
- Municipal electricity bill.
Motivational Letter
Applicants must submit a:
One-page motivational letter
The letter should explain:
- Who you are.
- Your study and career goals.
- Why you are applying for the SANRAL bursary.
- Why you believe you should receive financial support.
How to Apply for SANRAL External Bursary Programme 2027
Applications must be completed online through SANRAL.
Click here to apply for SANRAL External Bursary Programme 2027
Applicants should complete the online application form and upload all required supporting documents before submitting.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
30 September 2026
Applicants should ensure that their applications and supporting documents are submitted before the deadline.
Selection Process
Shortlisted applicants may be invited to interviews.
Applicants who do not receive feedback by:
31 January 2027
should regard their applications as unsuccessful.
Important Application Notes
Applicants should note that:
- The bursary is aimed at first-year undergraduate students for 2027.
- Applicants must be under 35.
- A minimum 70% Matric average is required.
- Only selected fields are funded.
- Studies must be full-time.
- Public tertiary institutions are covered.
- Private institutions are not covered.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
- Applicants may not receive another bursary at the same time.
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
- Funding may be full or partial depending on financial need.
- Applications close on 30 September 2026.