Corporate Bursaries in South Africa 2026
Corporate bursaries are funded by private sector companies seeking to develop future talent in their industries. Many include vacation employment and a workback obligation after graduation.
Corporate bursaries are funded by private-sector companies — banks, mining houses, engineering and construction firms, retailers, energy and telecoms businesses, accounting and consulting firms, and the like. Unlike a grant with no strings attached, these are usually a long-term investment in future staff: the company helps pay for your studies and, in return, hopes you'll join them once you graduate. That's why most corporate bursaries focus on the qualifications a particular industry needs — engineering, accounting, IT, actuarial science, health sciences, the trades — and why the application process tends to be more competitive and selective than general financial aid.
Coverage on a full corporate bursary can be generous: it often includes tuition, registration, prescribed books, accommodation and sometimes a monthly allowance for meals and transport, though exactly what's covered varies from company to company. Many also offer vacation work during university holidays so you gain real experience, build a network and get a feel for the company before you start full-time. The trade-off is the "workback" obligation — a common condition where you agree to work for the sponsor for a set period after qualifying, with the length usually linked to how long they funded you. Read those terms carefully before signing, because leaving early often means repaying part or all of the bursary. Selection typically weighs your matric or current university results (strong marks in maths and the sciences matter for technical fields), the relevance of your subjects, financial need, South African citizenship, and increasingly your performance in online assessments and interviews.
Approach corporate bursaries like a job application, because in many ways they are one. Many open their windows in the second half of the year for the following academic year, so track the companies in the field you want to enter and apply as soon as they open. A clean, complete application — certified results, ID, proof of household income, and a short, sincere motivation that links your goals to that industry — goes a long way. And don't put all your hope in one sponsor: apply widely, and pair corporate options with NSFAS, SETA, university and government bursaries so you have backup.
Quick tips
- →Apply early — many corporate windows open in the second half of the year for the next academic year, and strong applicants get theirs in well before the deadline.
- →Read the workback clause before you sign: understand how many years of service you owe and what happens if you leave early.
- →Lead with your marks and subjects — technical bursaries lean heavily on maths and science results, so highlight them and explain any gaps honestly.
- →Treat it like a job application: certified documents, proof of income, and a tailored motivation that connects your studies to that company's industry.
- →Cast a wide net — apply to several companies and combine corporate bursaries with NSFAS, SETA and university funding as backup.
Sasol Bursary Programme
Sasol
Sasol's flagship bursary programme funds South African students in engineering, IT, and commerce — covering tuition, accommodation, and vacation employment.
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.
Anglo American Bursary
Anglo American
Anglo American funds mining engineering, geology, and related engineering students with a full bursary including vacation employment at their operations.
African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) Engineering Bursary
African Rainbow Minerals (ARM)
African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) and Assmang award bursaries to promising first-year BSc Engineering students from the Cato Ridge area of KwaZulu-Natal. The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, and a living allowance.
Sanlam Actuarial Bursary
Sanlam
Sanlam offers funding and support for students who are enrolled to study or are currently completing their actuarial science degrees.
Netcare Clinical Scholarship
Netcare
The Netcare Clinical Scholarship provides bursaries to South African medical specialists for doctoral or post-doctoral training and research in academic medicine.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Glencore / Merafe Resources Engineering Bursary
Glencore / Merafe Resources
Glencore and Merafe Resources fund mining engineering, geology, and related engineering students with a full bursary and vacation employment at South African mining operations.
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.
Harmony Gold Mining Bursary
Harmony Gold Mining
Harmony Gold funds mining engineering, geology, and engineering students in South Africa with a full bursary including vacation employment at their gold mines.
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 are corporate bursaries in South Africa?
Corporate bursaries are funded by private sector companies seeking to develop future talent in their industries. Many include vacation employment and a workback obligation after graduation.
How do I apply for a corporate bursary?
Each bursary has its own application process. Click on any bursary below to view full requirements, deadlines, and a link to the official application portal.