The , in partnership with the FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, invites eligible South African learners to apply for the Undergraduate Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year. This prestigious funding opportunity aims to support academically deserving students from financially constrained backgrounds in pursuing full-time undergraduate studies at public universities in South Africa.
The programme is designed to increase access to higher education and contribute to addressing the national skills shortage and youth unemployment challenge. Funding is awarded based on academic potential, financial need, and admission into approved study fields aligned with critical national and industry needs.
ABOUT THE BURSARY
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary covers full support for the duration of a first undergraduate degree. This includes:
- Full tuition fees
- University accommodation
- Meals and living expenses
- Learning materials and resources
- A monthly stipend
- A laptop/computer for first-year students
This comprehensive support ensures that successful applicants can focus entirely on their academic success without financial burden.
FIELDS OF STUDY FUNDED
Applicants must be accepted or provisionally admitted into a South African public traditional university in one of the following fields:
- Agricultural Sciences (all specialisations)
- Commercial Sciences (Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Financial Management)
- Engineering (all disciplines)
- Environmental Sciences (Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy)
- Information Sciences (Computer Science, IT, Data Science, Information Systems, BIS, IM)
- Mathematical Sciences (Mathematics, Statistics, Risk)
- Natural Sciences (Physics, Biosciences, Electronics)
- Social Sciences and Law (Law, Psychology, Sustainability Studies, Indigenous Knowledge Systems)
- Arts (Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Multimedia, Architecture, Design)
- Health Sciences (Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health)
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Must be a Black South African citizen as defined by the BBBEE Act
- Must have achieved at least Level 5 in Mathematics in Grade 12
- Must be 21 years or younger in the first year of study
- Must be currently in Grade 12 or have completed Grade 12 within the last 3 years
- Must be accepted or provisionally accepted at a South African public university
- Must come from a household with a combined gross annual income not exceeding R700,000
APPLICATION DETAILS
Applications must be submitted online via the official StudyTrust application platform. Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all documentation is complete and accurate before submission, as incomplete applications will not be considered.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Application period: 01 June – 30 September 2027
- Late submissions will not be accepted
ABOUT STUDYTRUST
StudyTrust is a long-standing educational trust and public benefit organisation with over 45 years of experience in connecting talented learners to bursary and scholarship opportunities. The organisation has facilitated over R600 million in funding and supported more than 21,000 students across South Africa.
Beyond funding, StudyTrust also provides mentorship and student support programmes designed to help learners succeed academically and transition successfully into the workplace.
This bursary represents a life-changing opportunity for deserving students to access quality higher education and build careers in critical sectors of the South African economy.
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