Students planning to study in scarce-skills fields should take note of the Nedbank External Bursary Programme 2027. This bursary supports academically deserving South African students who need financial assistance to study full-time at a public university or university of technology, with a strong focus on STEM and green-economy skills.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: Nedbank Group
Opportunity type: External bursary programme
Who it’s for: South African students with financial need pursuing eligible undergraduate or honours studies
Location: South African public universities and universities of technology
Study level: Undergraduate or honours
Fields: STEM and green-economy development fields
Closing date: 31 August 2026
Last verified: 24 May 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
This is a scarce-skills bursary, so the strongest fit is for students whose qualifications align with science, technology, engineering, mathematics or green-economy development. Applicants with Mathematics Literacy do not qualify, so check your subject combination before starting the application.
The bursary is also needs-based. Nedbank’s selection process includes financial-need verification, so applicants should prepare household-income documents and any required affidavit or supporting financial information early.
About the sponsor
Nedbank is one of Africa’s major financial services groups, offering wholesale and retail banking, insurance, asset management and wealth-management solutions. Its external bursary programme supports students in scarce-skill areas that align with South Africa’s STEM and green-economy development needs.
Source Link: Nedbank Group
What it covers
The bursary funds full-time study for academically deserving students who do not have the financial means to study. Applicants should confirm the final funding package and any conditions directly through Nedbank’s application process.
Fields of study
The bursary focuses on qualifications linked to scarce-skills shortages, especially:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Green-economy development fields
Eligibility
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must intend to pursue an eligible undergraduate or honours qualification
- Must study full-time at a South African public university or university of technology
- Must have proven financial need, as determined by household income
- Must have obtained an average of at least 65% in the year of application
- Must have an average of at least 65% for subjects aligned to the intended degree
- Mathematics Literacy does not qualify
Documents to prepare
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Most recent Grade 11 final results and current mid-year results, if in Grade 12
- Most recent Grade 12 final results and current mid-year results, if in first year at university
- Last academic year results and current mid-year results, if in second or third year at university
- Proof of admission or university application status, where applicable
- Household-income and financial-need supporting documents requested by the application system
Closing date
31 August 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying with Mathematics Literacy
- Applying for a qualification outside STEM or green-economy fields
- Submitting incomplete academic results
- Leaving out household-income / financial-need documentation
- Applying for study at an institution that is not a South African public university or university of technology
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against Nedbank Group’s current graduates and bursaries page and Nedbank’s bursary information page, including the 2027 application status, 31 August 2026 closing date, STEM/green-economy focus, eligibility criteria and document requirements.
How to apply
- Open the Nedbank graduates and bursaries page.
- Review the eligibility requirements and confirm that your intended qualification is aligned with the listed fields.
- Prepare your ID, academic records and financial-need documents.
- Use Nedbank’s official application route from the bursary page.
- Submit before the closing date.