If you need money for the 2027 academic year, several South African bursary deadlines fall in late September 2026. The 2027 South African bursaries listed below are for Matric learners, undergraduates and postgraduates. Most close on 30 September 2026. The Volkswagen Group Africa bursary closes earlier, on 28 September 2026 at 12:00 midday.
What these bursaries are
These are separate funding programmes from companies, trusts, banks and public bodies. Fields include Engineering, Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, Science, Law, Agriculture, GIS, Town Planning, Logistics and other approved subjects.
Each bursary has its own rules, documents and application page. A place is not guaranteed. Many students apply for the same funds.
1. Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) Bursaries 2027
VWGA invites qualifying South African undergraduate students to apply for the 2027 academic year. Closing date: 28 September 2026 at 12:00 midday. Location: South Africa. Submit before midday on the closing date. Use the official Volkswagen Group Africa Bursaries 2027 page to view and apply.
2. Tomorrow Trust Bursaries 2027
Tomorrow Trust invites qualifying South African students from under-resourced communities to apply for its 2027 undergraduate programme. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
Fields include BSc Sciences, Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Property Sciences and other STEM-related qualifications. Funding may cover tuition, textbooks, equipment, accommodation and living allowances. Successful students may also receive mentorship, coaching, psychosocial support and career-development help.
Apply on the official Tomorrow Trust Bursaries 2027 page.
3. Standard Bank Group Bursaries 2027
Standard Bank Group invites academically strong and financially deserving South African students. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
The programme can provide full-cost funding for eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students. Applicants are generally required to have an academic average of at least 65%.
Apply on the official Standard Bank Group Bursaries 2027 page.
4. IDC Bursaries 2027
The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) invites qualifying South African students to its External Bursary Scheme for 2027. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Study location: South African public universities and universities of technology.
Funding is for selected qualifications in Finance, Management, Engineering, Information Technology, Science, Law and other approved fields. Limited funding is also available for selected Honours programmes. Cover may include tuition, accommodation, a once-off laptop, meals, transport and other approved study expenses.
Apply on the official IDC Bursaries 2027 page.
5. South African Reserve Bank (SARB) External Bursaries 2027
SARB invites qualifying students for undergraduate studies in 2027. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
Fields include Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Finance, Information Technology, Law, Mathematical Statistics and other areas relevant to the work of the SARB.
Apply on the official SARB Bursaries 2027 page.
6. SARB Economics Bursaries 2027
This option is for Economics-related studies. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Fields include Economics, Economics and Econometrics, Economics and Mathematical Statistics and Economic Science. Check the full requirements and send all compulsory documents.
View the official SARB Economics Bursaries 2027 page.
7. SANRAL External Bursaries 2027
SANRAL invites qualifying South African Matric learners and matriculants. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: recognised public tertiary institutions in South Africa.
The bursary is for 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 depend on assessed financial need.
Apply on the official SANRAL External Bursaries 2027 page.
8. SANSA Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) invites postgraduate students for 2027. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
The programme is for Honours, Master’s and Doctoral studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Areas include space science, engineering, remote sensing, environmental science, GIS and other STEM-related research.
Apply on the official SANSA Bursaries 2027 page.
9. Department of Land Reform and Rural Development Bursaries 2027
DLRRD invites qualifying students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and rural communities. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
Fields include Geomatics, Geographic Information Systems, Surveying, Land Surveying, Town Planning, Urban Planning and Regional Planning. Funding can assist with tuition, accommodation, books, meals and a living allowance.
Apply on the official DLRRD Bursaries 2027 page.
10. National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Bursaries 2027
NHFC invites financially disadvantaged South African students. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: accredited tertiary institutions across South Africa.
The programme supports undergraduates from second year onwards and postgraduate students. Areas include the Built Environment, Construction Economics, Development Studies and other qualifications relevant to housing, property and finance.
Apply on the official NHFC Bursaries 2027 page.
11. Amazon Operations Bursaries 2027
Amazon Commercial Services South Africa invites qualifying South African students. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
This full-cost recruitment bursary is for students who will complete the final year of a four-year degree or an Honours degree in 2027. Fields include Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Operations Management, Data Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, Management and Finance.
Applicants are expected to keep an academic average of at least 70%. Successful recipients are expected to join Amazon as interns after graduating in 2028.
Apply on the official Amazon Operations Bursaries 2027 page.
12. SANSOR Postgraduate Bursaries 2027
The South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) invites qualifying postgraduate students. Closing date: 30 September 2026. 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.
Apply on the official SANSOR Postgraduate Bursaries 2027 page.
13. Amandla Omoya Trust Bursaries 2027
The Amandla Omoya Trust invites qualifying students living within a 50km radius of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: communities surrounding Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm, Eastern Cape.
It is open to students studying or intending to study qualifying programmes at NQF Level 6 or higher, including degrees, national diplomas and qualifying technical or vocational programmes.
Apply on the official Amandla Omoya Trust Bursaries 2027 page.
14. CISCO Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa Bursaries 2027
CISCO Charitable Foundation Trust South Africa invites qualifying South African students for the 2027 academic year. Closing date: 30 September 2026. Location: South Africa.
The programme focuses on academically deserving and financially needy students in technology-related studies, including students from missing-middle income households.
Apply on the official CISCO South Africa Bursaries 2027 page.
Who can apply
Who can apply depends on each bursary. Some are for Matric learners starting first year in 2027. Some are for undergraduates, final-year students or postgraduates. Some ask for a minimum average, such as 65% or 70%. Some focus on rural communities, under-resourced communities, financial need or a 50km radius of Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.
Read the official page for the bursary you want. Do not assume you qualify for every list item.
What you can gain
Depending on the funder, support may include tuition, textbooks, equipment, accommodation, meals, transport, a laptop or a living allowance. Some programmes also offer mentorship, coaching or career support. Amazon’s operations bursary is linked to an internship after graduation in 2028.
Funding is competitive. Meeting the minimum rules does not mean you will be selected.
How to apply
Open only the official page for the bursary you want. Follow that page’s form and document list. Do not send one generic email to every organisation.
Volkswagen Group Africa closes on 28 September 2026 at 12:00 midday. The other bursaries on this list close on 30 September 2026.
Tips that can improve your application
Many applicants struggle because they wait until the last day and then cannot find certified copies. Start with academic records, proof of household income, certified ID, and proof of admission or registration if the bursary asks for them.
Match your field and year of study to the correct funder. Check averages, location rules and whether the bursary is for first year, second year or postgraduate study. Incomplete forms are often set aside.
What you should do next
Pick the bursaries that match your course, year and home situation. Note 28 September 2026 at midday for VWGA and 30 September 2026 for the rest. Gather documents, then apply on each official bursary page before the deadline.
You can also check the StudentRoom bursary page for newly announced 2027 funding. Apply early, stay honest, and follow each funder’s instructions exactly.
