This page lists bursaries on Bursaries-SouthAfrica.co.za that are closing soon, so you can prioritise applications with upcoming deadlines.
The tables below focus on bursaries that are closing December 2025 and January 2026. Always double-check dates on the official funder pages before applying, as deadlines and requirements can change.
Note: This list is based on the closing dates published on the bursary providers’ official pages and on bursaries-southafrica.co.za at the time of writing. Always click through to the full bursary listing and confirm details with the bursary provider before applying.
How to use this page: Check the tables below for bursaries closing soon, click on the bursary name for full details, and submit your application well before the deadline.
Bursaries Closing in December 2025
| Bursary | Closing date | Main fields of study / focus | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Cape DoE Unemployed Youth Bursary 2026 | 2 December 2025 | Various priority fields at public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges for unemployed youth (18–35) in the Eastern Cape. | View bursary details |
| Polokwane Municipality External Bursary 2026 | 5 December 2025 | Various qualifications at public universities, universities of technology and TVET colleges for Polokwane residents (scarce and critical skills focus). | View bursary details |
| PPS Foundation Bursary Programme 2026 | 5 December 2025 (applications) & 20 December 2025 (document upload) | Professional degrees such as health sciences, actuarial science, engineering, finance and other PPS-aligned professions. | View bursary details |
| ADSA Bursary 2026 | 8 December 2025 | Undergraduate Dietetics – supports a first-year dietetic student continuing with a Bachelor of Dietetics (or equivalent) at a SA university. | View bursary details |
| Astron Energy Engineering Bursary Programme 2026 | 10 December 2025 | Chemical, Mechanical, Electrical, Metallurgical and Industrial Engineering (final-year BEng/BSc students). | View bursary details |
| ASSMANG Manganese Bursary Programme 2026 | 12 December 2025 | Mining, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Metallurgy, Geology, Surveying and Information Technology. | View bursary details |
| Vulamathuba Empumelelo Bursary Fund 2026 | 12 December 2025 | Undergraduate studies at public universities and TVET colleges, prioritising scarce and critical skills (engineering, IT, finance, education, health, etc.) for Communicare tenants/qualifying Cape Town residents. | View bursary details |
| Bokamoso Solar Scholarship Programme 2026 | 12 December 2025 | STEM fields, commerce and development-related studies for youth from the City of Matlosana and Maquassi Hills. | View bursary details |
| UNISA Postgraduate Bursary 2026 | 19 December 2025 | Postgraduate diplomas, honours, master’s and doctoral degrees for UNISA alumni studying at UNISA. | View bursary details |
| National Arts Council (NAC) Postgraduate Bursaries 2026 | 19 December 2025 | Postgraduate arts studies: theatre, dance, music, visual arts, literature, crafts, cultural policy, arts management and related fields. | View bursary details |
| SANBS Health Sciences Bursary Programme 2026 | 19 December 2025 | Health Sciences with a focus on Immunohematology and blood transfusion (typically 3rd-year Bachelor of Health Sciences students). | View bursary details |
| Moshal Scholarship Programme 2026 | 31 December 2025 | STEM, commerce and selected professional degrees at partner universities (merit and need-based scholarship). | View bursary details |
| Bakwena Cares Bursary 2026 | 31 December 2025 | Various fields linked to Bakwena’s operational areas (engineering, transport-related and community-focused studies, depending on annual call). | View bursary details |
| Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (UYDF) Health Science Bursary Programme 2026 | 31 December 2025 | Health Science degrees (e.g. Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Radiography, OT, etc.) for rural KZN students with NSFAS funding. | View bursary details |
Bursaries Closing in January 2026
| Bursary | Closing date | Main fields of study / focus | More information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chinese Government Scholarship 2026/27 – DHET Call for South Africans | 5 January 2026 | Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD, Chinese language and scholar programmes in a wide range of priority fields (engineering, science, ICT, agriculture, energy, etc.) at Chinese universities. | View bursary details |
| Cape Gate Isaac Joffe Fellowship Engineering Bursary Programme 2026 | 9 January 2026 | BEng in Electronic/Electrical or Metallurgical Engineering (including some mechatronics-related specialisations) for 1st–2nd year students from 2026. | View bursary details |
| Free State Provincial Government Bursary 2026 – Scarce Skills (Office of the Premier) | 16 January 2026 | Full-time study in identified scarce and critical skills for unemployed Free State residents (various university and TVET qualifications). | View bursary details |
| MBAWC Bursary Programme 2026 – Built Environment | 16 January 2026 | Built environment disciplines (diploma, degree, advanced diploma, honours or master’s) at Western Cape institutions. | View bursary details |
| Funza Lushaka Bursary (Teaching) 2026 – New Applicants | 24 January 2026 | BEd and PGCE programmes in national priority teaching subjects (Maths, Science, languages, foundation-phase teaching, etc.). | View bursary details |
| Safripol Community Bursary Scheme 2026 | 31 January 2026 | Chemical, Mechanical and Electrical & Instrumentation Engineering for young people from Wentworth, Jacobs and Bluff (Durban). | View bursary details |
| ATNS Air Traffic Services Bursary Programme 2026 | 31 January 2026 | Air Traffic Services training (ATS) at the ATNS Aviation Training Academy for candidates with Grade 12 (Maths & English). | View bursary details |
| Cape Gate Erwin Robert Balde BCom (CA Stream) Bursary Programme 2026 | 31 January 2026 | BCom (Chartered Accountancy stream) for 2025 matriculants starting first year in 2026; support can extend up to Honours. | View bursary details |
| Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Heritage Bursary 2026 | 31 January 2026 | Heritage-related postgraduate studies (honours, master’s, PhD) at accredited South African universities. | View bursary details |
Tip: December deadlines are easy to miss because of year-end holidays. Make sure you plan ahead for documents such as certified copies, proof of registration/admission and income affidavits before offices close.
Before You Apply
- Read the full bursary advert: Click through to each bursary page and check all requirements, including academic results, age limits, residency criteria and accepted fields of study.
- Prepare your documents: Common requirements include certified ID copies, latest academic results, proof of residence, proof of household income and a motivational letter.
- Watch the submission method: Some bursaries use online portals, while others need email or hand-delivered applications – follow the instructions exactly.
- Apply early: Don’t wait for the last day. Online portals can get busy, and offices may close early around exam and holiday periods.
This “Closing Soon” page is updated from time to time as new bursaries are added to the site. For more opportunities, browse the full list of latest bursaries in South Africa on the main bursaries-southafrica.co.za website.