Bursaries 2026 - South Africa
Bursaries are financial awards given to students to help cover the costs of their studies. They are designed to support learners who cannot afford tuition, textbooks, or other educational expenses, making higher education accessible to everyone.
Bursaries are often awarded based on two main criteria:
Academic merit – students who achieve excellent results and demonstrate strong potential.
Financial need – learners from disadvantaged backgrounds who require support to continue their studies.
By receiving a bursary, students can focus on learning without worrying about financial constraints. This encourages them to study hard, reach their full potential, and qualify for even more educational opportunities in the future.
NYOSA lists verified bursary opportunities from trusted organisations across South Africa. Each bursary listing includes eligibility criteria, application instructions, and closing dates, so students can apply with confidence.
Who can benefit from bursaries:
High school learners planning to attend university or college
University students who need financial support to continue their studies
Students pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate degrees
What bursaries provide:
Funding for tuition fees, books, and study materials
Support for living expenses in some cases
Opportunities to focus on learning without financial stress
Motivation to study hard and qualify for more opportunities
Browse the bursary listings below, review the eligibility requirements carefully, and apply directly through the official organisations before the closing date.
SANSA 2026 POSTGRADUATE BURSARIES FOR STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematic) STUDENTS 2026
Supports South African students pursuing STEM degrees to promote innovation and technology development.
SASRIA SOC Ltd Bursary 2026
The SASRIA SOC Ltd Bursary Programme 2026 provides financial support to first-year South African university students studying finance, IT, insurance, or mathematics. It can cover tuition, books, and living expenses.
Department of Tourism Bursaries 2026: Fully Funded Government Support for Tourism & Hospitality Studies 2026
Department of Tourism Bursaries 2026 offers fully funded government support to eligible South African students pursuing tourism, hospitality, and strategic public-sector studies. This bursary programme strengthens the national workforce, drives tourism growth, and enhances skills development in key sectors.
Tharisa Bursary Programme 2026
Tharisa Confirms Bursary Programme for 2026, offering structured financial support to eligible South African students pursuing studies aligned with the country’s mining, engineering, science, and business skills needs.
Standard Bank Bursary 2026
The Standard Bank Group Bursary Programme is designed to promote academic excellence and shape the next generation of African talent and African leaders.
Cipla South Africa Bursary 2026: Applications Now Open for Students Closing on the 17th of February 2026
The Cipla South Africa Bursary is a structured financial aid programme designed to support students studying in fields aligned with the company’s business, values, and long-term skills needs.
Sanlam Bursary Programme Now Open for South African Students 2026
The Sanlam Bursary Programme 2026 is a merit-based financial aid initiative designed to support eligible South African students pursuing studies in scarce and critical skills areas, particularly within the financial and risk management sectors.
Two Rivers Platinum Mine Bursary 2026 – Who Qualifies and How to Apply 2026
The Two Rivers Platinum Mine Bursary Programme 2026 offers financial support to South African university students pursuing scarce-skills degrees in Engineering and Information Technology. The bursary aims to develop future professionals for the mining sector and closes on 28 February 2026.
Shoprite Opens Multiple Bursaries for 2026: Accounting, Retail, Logistics & Agriculture 2026
The 2026 Shoprite Bursary Programme targets high-impact career fields that are critical to the country’s economy and future workforce: Accounting (CA stream), Retail Business Management, Supply Chain & Logistics, and Agricultural Sciences.
KwaZulu-Natal Government Bursary : Applications Now Open for Students Closing on the 15th of February 2026 2026
The bursary is administered by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government through its relevant departments. It is designed to ensure that talented students are not excluded from higher education due to financial constraints.