The Women in IT (WIIT) Bursary Programme is accepting applications for the 2027 academic year. It is for women who are South African citizens or permanent residents and are pursuing full-time study in an accredited ICT-related qualification at a recognised South African institution. Applicants need at least a 65% average and must demonstrate financial need. Applications close on 15 January 2027 at 23:59.
Closing date: 15 January 2027 at 23:59
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: IITPSA Women in IT Chapter
- Opportunity type: Bursary
- Who it’s for: Women who are South African citizens or permanent residents and are registered, or accepted for full-time study, in an accredited ICT-related qualification at a recognised South African institution for 2027.
- Study level: Full-time ICT-related qualification
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 15 January 2027 at 23:59
- Last verified: 2026-10-30
High-value notes (read this first)
The 2027 application period opened on 9 October 2026.
Your most recent academic-year average must be at least 65%, and you must demonstrate financial need.
The bursary has no work-back obligation.
Award recipients must remain registered full-time, submit mid-year and final results, report study changes within 14 days, and attend at least one WIIT event or participate in the mentorship programme.
Renewal is subject to passing all registered modules with an overall average of at least 65%; repeat modules are not funded.
A Google account is required to upload documents. The official page says there is no application fee.
About the sponsor
Women in IT is a chapter of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA). Its work supports women in the information technology sector through education, skills development, mentoring and networking. The WIIT Bursary Programme is part of this purpose: it provides financial support to qualifying women pursuing formal ICT qualifications, helping address financial barriers to study and entry into the profession.
What it covers
The bursary contributes towards tuition, registration and examination fees, prescribed textbooks and study materials, and institution-administered or accredited student accommodation. It may provide a once-off laptop if you do not own a suitable device. Payments go to the institution or supplier, not to recipients. Meals, transport, personal expenses, repeat modules and outstanding fees from previous years are excluded. Funding is subject to availability and committee discretion; no monetary amount is specified.
Eligible fields
- Sponsor: IITPSA Women in IT Chapter
- Opportunity type: Bursary
- Academic cycle: 2027
- Location: South Africa
- Study level: Full-time ICT-related qualification
- Who it is for: Eligible women who are South African citizens or permanent residents
- Closing date: 15 January 2027 at 23:59
- Application method: Online form linked from the official WIIT bursary page; Google sign-in required for document uploads
- Bursary amount: Not specified
Eligibility
- Be a woman and a South African citizen or permanent resident.
- Be registered full-time or accepted for full-time study in an accredited ICT-related qualification at a recognised South African institution for 2027.
- Have achieved an overall average of at least 65% in your most recent academic year or examinations.
- Demonstrate financial need with supporting documents.
- Not hold another bursary. Applicants fully funded by NSFAS or another funder for the same costs cannot apply.
- Not be a WIIT committee member, bursary assessor or an immediate family member of either.
Documents to prepare
- Certified copy of South African ID or permanent residence permit, certified within the last three months.
- Proof of enrolment or acceptance for 2027. Continuing students may submit 2026 proof if 2027 registration has not opened.
- Most recent official academic transcript or results. Grade 12 learners submit Grade 11 final results and Grade 12 June results.
- Signed motivational letter, maximum one page.
- Proof of household income or financial need. Depending on circumstances, examples include household earners' payslips or IRP5, a SASSA letter, an affidavit or an NSFAS outcome letter. The guide also lists additional documents for specific circumstances.
- Prepare each upload as a single PDF of no more than 10 MB. Combine financial documents into one PDF.
Closing date
15 January 2027 at 23:59
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying for part-time study; the bursary is for full-time students.
- Assuming any ICT qualification is automatically eligible. If your qualification is not clearly ICT-related, ask WIIT to confirm it before applying.
- Submitting an ID or permanent residence permit certified more than three months before applying.
- Uploading files over 10 MB or failing to combine household financial documents into one PDF.
- Sending an application by email, post or hand delivery; the official guide says these are not accepted.
- Leaving out required documents or submitting unclear, incomplete scans. Submitted applications cannot be changed.
- Assuming the bursary covers meals, transport, personal expenses, repeat modules or outstanding fees from previous years.
- Applying if you are a WIIT committee member, bursary assessor, or an immediate family member of either, or if you already hold another bursary or are fully funded for the same costs.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified on 30 October 2026 against the official WIIT bursary page and information guide. IITPSA's official Women in IT page confirms that Women in IT is an IITPSA chapter.
How to apply
- Check that you meet every eligibility requirement, including the full-time study and academic average criteria. If your qualification is not clearly ICT-related, ask WIIT to confirm whether it qualifies before applying.
- Prepare the required supporting documents. Save each upload as a clear PDF no larger than 10 MB, and combine financial documents into one PDF.
- Use the Apply Here button below to open the official WIIT bursary page and follow its online application form. Sign in to a Google account to upload documents; allow about 30 minutes.
- Check your answers and files carefully before submitting. Applications cannot be changed after submission.
- Submit by 15 January 2027 at 23:59 and keep the confirmation email as proof. Email, post and hand-delivered applications are not accepted.