Finance & Investment Bursaries in South Africa 2026
Finance, investment, and banking bursaries. Browse 25 funding opportunities — updated May 2026.
If you're aiming for a career in finance, investment or banking, the right bursary can take the money worry off the table so you can focus on your studies. Funding in this field usually covers the big costs of a qualification — tuition, prescribed textbooks, a laptop, and often accommodation and a monthly living or meal allowance. Many are full-cost packages, and a good number come with something even more valuable than the money itself: vacation work, mentorship, and a work-back arrangement that can lead into a graduate job. They typically support degrees and diplomas in fields like accounting, financial management, investment management, economics, actuarial science, banking, risk and data analytics, studied at South African universities and TVET colleges.
The funders in this space are some of the strongest in the country. Major banks, insurers, asset managers, audit and professional-services firms, and JSE-listed companies fund bursaries to grow their own talent pipelines. You'll also often find support from the sector's SETA, government departments and state-owned entities, professional bodies and their education trusts, university financial-aid offices, and private trusts and foundations. Because the sector takes professional qualifications seriously, many bursaries are linked to recognised pathways like the chartered-accountant or registered-accountant routes, so it's worth knowing where your studies sit on that journey.
Eligibility usually leans on strong marks. Finance and investment funders tend to look for solid results in Mathematics (pure maths, not maths literacy) and a good overall NSC or academic average, alongside subjects like Accounting or Economics where relevant. Most require South African citizenship, and many prioritise students with demonstrated financial need or who'd otherwise struggle to fund their studies. Expect to provide your ID, latest results, proof of university or college acceptance, and household income documents (payslips, an affidavit, or a death certificate where a parent has passed). Timing matters too: many corporate bursaries open in the second half of the year for the following academic year, so applying well before the deadline is half the battle.
Quick tips
- →Apply as early as you can for the next academic year — finance bursaries are competitive and many close before exams even start.
- →Lead with your Mathematics mark; if it's strong, say so clearly, and briefly explain any results that don't reflect your real ability.
- →Have a clean document pack ready: certified ID, latest results, proof of acceptance, and proof of household income to show financial need.
- →Write a short, honest motivation linking your studies to a finance or investment career — funders back students who know why they want in.
- →Check the work-back terms before you sign — many of these bursaries expect you to work for the funder after you graduate, which is often a great head start.
Related fields:
Sasol Bursary Programme
Sasol
Sasol's flagship bursary programme funds South African students in engineering, IT, and commerce — covering tuition, accommodation, and vacation employment.
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellowship is South Africa's most prestigious entrepreneurship-focused bursary, open to any field of study. No workback obligation.
Standard Bank Bursary Programme
Standard Bank
Standard Bank bursaries support commerce, finance, actuarial science, and IT students. Recipients join Standard Bank's vacation programme and are fast-tracked into the graduate pipeline.
Eskom Bursary Programme
Eskom
Eskom bursaries fund engineering, IT, and finance students across South Africa — covering the full cost of study plus vacation employment.
NSFAS Bursary
National Student Financial Aid Scheme
The NSFAS bursary provides financial assistance to eligible South African citizens and permanent residents pursuing higher education, covering a range of study costs.
Entrepreneurial Skills Development Programme
BANKSETA
This programme assists Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), including Cooperative Financial Institutions (CFIs), in the banking and alternative sector to gain entrepreneurial skills and knowledge over a 3-month period.
PwC Chartered Accountant Bursary
PwC South Africa
PwC offers comprehensive bursaries for South African students pursuing a Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification, providing financial support and a structured path to professional development.
Old Mutual Chartered Accounting Bursary Programme 2026/2027
Old Mutual
Old Mutual invites exceptional South African learners pursuing or interested in Chartered Accounting studies to apply for their bursary programme.
South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme 2026 (Economics)
South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
The SARB invites aspiring economists to apply for its 2026 External Bursary Scheme, specifically supporting undergraduate studies in Economics.
Vodacom External Bursary Programme 2026
Vodacom Foundation
This academic merit bursary from Vodacom Foundation supports ambitious, driven South African students in their first, second, or third year of study.
University of Pretoria MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program (MCFSP) 2027
University of Pretoria
A fully-funded scholarship for undergraduate and postgraduate study at the University of Pretoria, supported by the Mastercard Foundation.
Sasol Foundation Mainstream Bursary Programme 2027
Sasol Foundation
The Sasol Foundation offers a comprehensive, fully funded bursary programme for young South Africans pursuing studies in various fields critical to industry.
SAICA’s Thuthuka Bursary Fund 2027
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
Thuthuka Bursary Fund by SAICA supports students from disadvantaged backgrounds aspiring to become Chartered Accountants in South Africa.
South African Reserve Bank External Bursary Scheme 2026 for Economics Students
South African Reserve Bank (SARB)
The SARB invites aspiring economists to apply for its 2026 External Bursary Scheme, supporting undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
SAICA’s Thuthuka Bursary Fund 2027 for aspiring Chartered Accountants
South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) Thuthuka Bursary Fund
Thuthuka bursary is open to financially needy African, Coloured, and Indian students aspiring to become Chartered Accountants (CAs).
PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) Bursary
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC)
PwC offers bursaries for accounting and finance students pursuing a CA(SA) qualification. One of the most prestigious routes into the Big Four accounting firms.
Capitec Bank Foundation Bursary
Capitec Bank Foundation
The Capitec Bank Foundation funds commerce and mathematics students — primarily in Western Cape, Gauteng, and KZN — with tuition and accommodation support. No workback obligation.
Shoprite/Checkers Foundation Bursary
Shoprite Checkers (Pty) Ltd Foundation
The Shoprite Foundation funds commerce, IT, and food science students. NSFAS-compatible and requires no workback obligation.
Old Mutual Bursary Programme
Old Mutual Limited
Old Mutual funds actuarial science, finance, statistics, and IT students. Financial need is not required, making this accessible to middle-income families.
Deloitte South Africa Bursary
Deloitte South Africa
Deloitte SA offers accounting bursaries for students pursuing the CA(SA) qualification — one of the top routes to completing your articles at a Big Four firm.
FNB (First National Bank) Bursary
First National Bank (FNB)
FNB funds finance, accounting, actuarial science, and IT students with tuition and a living allowance. Part of the FirstRand Group talent pipeline.
Nedbank Bursary Programme
Nedbank Group
Nedbank funds accounting, finance, actuarial science, and IT students. Full bursary with vacation employment and a structured graduate pipeline.
MTN South Africa Bursary
MTN South Africa
MTN funds engineering, ICT, and data science students with a full bursary including vacation employment at South Africa's largest mobile network.
Discovery Bursary Programme
Discovery Limited
Discovery offers a high-value bursary for actuarial science, statistics, data science, and finance students. Merit-based with no financial need requirement.
Absa Bank Bursary Programme
Absa Group
Absa offers a full bursary for commerce, finance, accounting, and IT students. Includes tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance with vacation employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Finance & Investment bursaries are available in South Africa in 2026?
There are 25 finance & investment bursaries currently listed on our platform, including corporate, government, and SETA-funded opportunities. They range from partial tuition bursaries to full cost-of-study awards.
When do Finance & Investment bursary applications open?
Most corporate bursaries open between August and October for the following academic year. Some government bursaries accept applications year-round. Always check the official provider website for exact dates.
What marks do I need for a Finance & Investment bursary?
Academic requirements vary by provider. Most finance & investment bursaries require a minimum average of 60–70%. Some merit bursaries require 75%+ while others prioritise financial need over marks.