Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is inviting high-performing Grade 12 learners and tertiary students to apply for its Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
The programme supports students pursuing selected engineering, technology, science, finance, logistics and related qualifications and combines financial assistance with the opportunity to gain vacation work experience at Mercedes-Benz in East London.
Applications close on 12 November 2026.
At a glance
- Sponsor: Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA)
- Opportunity type: Undergraduate bursary
- Academic year funded: 2027
- Who may apply: Grade 12 learners and students enrolled in or completing full-time tertiary studies
- Citizenship: South African-born citizens
- Location preference: Applicants residing in the Eastern Cape receive preference
- Additional preference: Children of Mercedes-Benz South Africa employees
- Grade 12 academic requirement: At least 70% overall, including at least 65% in Mathematics and/or Physical Science where required for the chosen field
- Tertiary academic requirement: At least 65% based on the latest semester results
- Closing date: 12 November 2026
- Job reference: MER00049EO
- Location listed: East London, Eastern Cape
- Last verified: 21 October 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
- The programme is open to both Grade 12 learners and tertiary students.
- First-year tertiary students will receive preference among students who are already studying.
- Applicants residing in the Eastern Cape receive preference.
- Preference is also given to children of Mercedes-Benz South Africa employees.
- Grade 12 applicants need an overall average of at least 70%.
- Where Mathematics and/or Physical Science are required for the intended field of study, applicants need at least 65% in the applicable subject.
- Tertiary applicants need an average of at least 65% based on their latest semester results.
- The bursary may cover tuition fees, accommodation, meals, stationery and a stipend, subject to applicable conditions.
- Successful bursars may also receive vacation work experience at Mercedes-Benz in East London.
- Applicants must complete the online questionnaire. Failure to complete it will disqualify the application.
- Applications sent by email will not be accepted.
- Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
About the sponsor
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) is the South African subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, one of the world’s major automotive manufacturers. MBSA’s activities in South Africa include vehicle manufacturing, marketing, sales and related support functions.
The company’s manufacturing operation in East London, Eastern Cape, forms part of Mercedes-Benz’s global production network. The plant manufactures Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedans for both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive export markets.
Mercedes-Benz vehicle manufacturing in East London dates back to 1958, when contract production began in South Africa. The East London operation has since developed into an important part of the company’s international manufacturing network and provides employment and skills-development opportunities in the Eastern Cape.
Through initiatives such as bursaries, workplace exposure and early-career programmes, Mercedes-Benz South Africa supports the development of future engineering, technology, business and manufacturing skills.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa official website:
https://www.mercedes-benz.co.za/
Mercedes-Benz Group:
https://group.mercedes-benz.com/
What the bursary covers
The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme offers financial and developmental support that may include:
- Tuition fees
- Meals
- Accommodation
- Stationery
- Stipend
- Vacation work experience at Mercedes-Benz in East London
Mercedes-Benz states that conditions apply to the bursary benefits and vacation work programme.
Successful bursars may study at a university of their choice, subject to meeting the requirements of the bursary programme and their chosen qualification.
Fields of study supported
Applicants must be studying or planning to study in one of the following fields:
- Computer Engineering
- Information Technology
- Software Development
- Industrial Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metrology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering – BSc
- Mechatronics
- Metallurgy
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Supply Chain
- Logistics
- Human Kinetics & Ergonomics
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following core requirements:
- Be a South African-born citizen
- Be a Grade 12 learner or be enrolled in or currently completing full-time tertiary studies
- Be studying or planning to study one of the approved fields
- Meet the applicable academic requirements
- Submit all required documentation
- Complete the compulsory online questionnaire
Applicants residing in the Eastern Cape receive preference.
Preference is also given to children of Mercedes-Benz South Africa employees.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa states that it is committed to Employment Equity when recruiting, including the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
Academic requirements for Grade 12 learners
Grade 12 learners must have:
- An overall academic average of at least 70%
- At least 65% in Mathematics and/or Physical Science where these subjects are required for the selected field of study
Current Grade 12 learners must submit their latest third-term results.
Academic requirements for tertiary students
Tertiary students must have an average of at least:
65%
This is assessed using the applicant’s latest semester results.
Tertiary applicants must also submit their final Matric certificate and most recent complete tertiary academic record.
Mercedes-Benz uses the latest available academic results when assessing shortlisted candidates.
Documents to prepare
Applicants must include the following:
- CV / resume in PDF format and a suitable file size for uploading
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Certified Grade 12 third-term results if currently in Grade 12
- Most recent full tertiary academic record if already studying at tertiary level
- Final Matric certificate if already studying at tertiary level
Applicants must also complete the online questionnaire included in the application process.
Failure to complete the questionnaire will result in disqualification.
Vacation work experience
One of the additional benefits of the Mercedes-Benz South Africa bursary programme is the opportunity to gain vacation work experience at Mercedes-Benz in East London.
This gives bursars an opportunity to gain practical exposure to a major automotive manufacturing environment while completing their studies.
Conditions apply to participation in the vacation work programme.
Closing date
12 November 2026
Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants should submit well before the deadline to allow time to upload all supporting documents and complete the compulsory questionnaire.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for a study field that is not listed
- Grade 12 applicants applying with an overall average below 70%
- Not meeting the Mathematics or Physical Science requirement where applicable
- Tertiary applicants applying with an average below 65%
- Grade 12 learners forgetting their latest third-term results
- Tertiary students forgetting their final Matric certificate
- Uploading an incomplete tertiary academic record
- Forgetting the certified ID copy
- Uploading the CV in the wrong format
- Failing to complete the compulsory questionnaire
- Sending the application by email
- Submitting after 12 November 2026
How this opportunity was verified
This opportunity was verified directly from the official Mercedes-Benz Careers website.
The official listing is titled The Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 Intake and confirms the eligible study fields, academic requirements, funding benefits, vacation work opportunity, required documents and closing date of 12 November 2026.
The listing also confirms that applications sent by email will not be considered and that applicants must complete the online questionnaire.
How to apply
- Open the official Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 listing.
- Read the study-field and academic requirements carefully.
- Prepare your CV in PDF format.
- Prepare a certified copy of your South African ID.
- If you are currently in Grade 12, prepare your certified third-term results.
- If you are already studying at tertiary level, prepare your most recent full academic record and final Matric certificate.
- Complete the online Mercedes-Benz application.
- Complete the compulsory questionnaire.
- Upload all required documentation.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit before 12 November 2026.
Do not send your bursary application by email. The email address provided by Mercedes-Benz is for queries only.