Bursaries

Bursaries and scholarships go a long way
toward meeting the costs of tertiary education. In some cases, students will be
awarded a portion of their fees, and in others, students might receive funding
covering tuition, accommodation and even part of their living expenses.

Winning a bursary starts at school. Only the
most deserving students – usually with the best all-round school performance
and necessary aptitude – can hope to be awarded a bursary.

Bursaries also typically come with strings
attached. The student may be required to serve as an ambassador of sorts for
the company who awarded the bursary. The student must also maintain good grades
during their tertiary studies, and usually, the student must commit to working
for the company that sponsored the bursary after graduation. This work
commitment can be a perk, since many graduates struggle to find relevant work
experience to make themselves more employable.

How to apply

To apply for a bursary, first decide what
career path you’d like to follow and research the governing organisations and
leading companies in your chosen field. Look online or contact them to find out
whether they offer bursaries, and what the qualifying criteria are. In many
cases, large organisations partner with specialist bursary administrators to
manage their bursary applications.

Make sure you meet those criteria, and gather
any supporting information you might need to back your application. Complete
application forms very carefully, honestly and in full, and submit them before
deadline. If you reach an interview stage, go in prepared to answer questions about
your current circumstances, personal strengths, ambitions and career goals.

Did you know?

In careers where a shortage of skills exists
– such as engineering, accounting and specialised IT – more bursaries than
average are typically available, to encourage more students to enter those
professions.

Get more info

For information, application forms and lists
of available bursaries, go to:

bursaries-southafrica.co.za

www.bursaries2017.co.za

www.studietrust.org.za

www.gostudy.mobi

www.careerwise.co.za

SOME LEADING ORGANISATIONS OFFERING BURSARIES

– AfriSam – bursaries for fields including
electrical, mechanical, chemical and mining engineering, as well as geology and
computer science, with first preference to previously disadvantaged
individuals. Email [email protected] for information.

– Allan Gray – up to 100 fellowship
opportunities are awarded annually to promising students aiming to become
entrepreneurs, covering tuition, accommodation and a monthly living stipend. See
www.allangrayorbis.org for more information.

– Anglo Coal – bursaries and support for
engineering, surveying, geology, finance, or environmental science students,
including tuition, accommodation, stipends and book and computer allowance. See
more at southafrica.angloamerican.com/careers/coal-sa

– Anglo Platinum – bursaries
for students at universities and universities of technology in fields including
mining, mining engineering, geology, analytical chemistry, mechanical and
electrical engineering, accounting and finance. Covers financial needs, medical
cover and includes a computer allowance. For information, contact [email protected]

– BBD – bursaries for students
studying computer science, software and computer engineering, and informatics.
Covers tuition fees, prescribed books, accommodation and meals, and a monthly
allowance for food. Go to www.bbd.co.za/careers#x
for information.

– CSIR – bursaries for science and
engineering students. Covers registration, tuition, accommodation and books and
laptop allowance.  Get information at bursary.csir.co.za

– De Beers – bursaries for students
studying mining, mining engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical
engineering, metallurgy and geology. Covers registration, tuition,
accommodation, a monthly stipend, and a book and laptop allowance.

– Department of agriculture, forestry & fisheries – bursaries for veterinary science, forestry, agriculture,
oceanography and marine biology students. Covers tuition, accommodation, books,
meals and monthly allowance, aimed at disadvantaged and impoverished persons.
Get information from www.daff.gov.za/

– Department of basic education –
The Department’s Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme offers bursaries to eligible
students to complete a teaching qualification. Recipients of these bursaries
will be required to teach at a public school after graduation. See: www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za

– Eskom – Full bursaries, merit bursaries
and scholarships, particularly in the fields of engineering, research,
development, design, construction and production. For more information, go to web.eskom.co.za/student/

– First National Bank – various
bursaries provided through the following bursary service providers:

– African
Scholars Fund         www.asf.org.za 021 689-9094

– Career Wise www.careerwise.co.za            011 484-7505

– Rural
Education Access Programme         www.reap.org.za 021 696-5500

– SAICA
Thuthuka Bursary Fund        www.saica.co.za 08610 72422

– South African
Actuary Development Programme www.saadp.co.za
011 642-2202

– Study Trust    www.studytrust.org.za           011 726-5604

– Tertiary
School in Business Administration www.tsiba.org.za
021 532-2750

– GIBB – bursaries for civil,
electrical rail and roads engineering students. Covers tuition, accommodation,
books and stationery, and includes vacation employment. For information, go to www.gibb.co.za or mail [email protected]

– Investec – partial bursaries for
exceptional students studying financial sector-related degrees. Covers partial
funding of tuition. For information, go to www.investec.co.za

– KPMG – bursaries for auditing and
chartered accounting students. Apply at home.kpmg.com/za/en/home/careers/bursaries.html

– PWC – bursaries for students
studying accounting at any SAICA accredited SA university. It covers a portion
of tuition fees, accommodation and books. Get information at www.pwc.co.za/en/students/advisory/bursary-program…

– SAB – bursaries in the chemical and
mechanical engineering, biological science and industrial engineering fields.
Offers financial support and work experience. For information, go to sab.gradx.net/

– SAPPI – bursaries for forestry, and
electrical, chemical and mechanical engineering students. Go to www.sappi.com or mail [email protected]
for information.

– Sasol – bursaries for students
studying engineering, science and accounting. Covers tuition, registration fees,
accommodation and meals, and provides a stipend. See www.sasolbursaries.com for information.

– Shoprite – Shoprite Group bursaries are
available to students studying for BPharm, retail management and BCompt/BAcc
qualifications. Covers tuition and books, as well as some living expenses.  For information, go to www.shopritebemore.com/opportunities/bursary-oppor…

– Siemens – bursaries and training
opportunities in electrical engineering, electronics and business management
paths. For information, go to m.siemens.co.za/en/jobs/training

– Sun International – bursaries
in the fields of HR, food and beverage fields, hotel management, IT, business
management, accounting and more. For information, go to www.studietrust.org.za

– Telkom – full-time bursaries for
undergraduate studies in fields including electrical engineering (light
current), information technology, computer science, marketing, and accounting. Opportunities
are posted on Telkom’s LinkedIn page.

– Transnet – bursaries in the fields of
industrial, electrical, electronic, mechanical and civil engineering. The
comprehensive bursary covers tuition fees, accommodation and meals, a book
allowance and experiential training. For information, go to www.transnet.net/Career/Bursaries.aspx

– Vodacom – bursary opportunities for various study fields. Covers tuition,
accommodation, books and a stipend. Applications via careerwise.co.za or digitalclassroom.co.za

Note – this list is not exhaustive. Many more bursary and
scholarship opportunities exist across all industry sectors.