Looking for bursaries that are still open? This page lists bursaries, scholarships and funding opportunities with upcoming closing dates in October, November and December 2026.
Important: Closing dates can change or be extended. Always open the full bursary listing and check the official sponsor application page before submitting.
Apply early: Do not wait until the final day. Application portals can become busy, supporting documents can take time to obtain, and some opportunities have strict cut-off times.
Bursaries Closing in October 2026
These are the most urgent opportunities currently open. Start with those closing earliest.
| Bursary / Scholarship | Closing Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Magalies Water External Bursary Programme 2027 | 23 October 2026 | Engineering, Water Care, Biotechnology, Microbiology, ICT and related fields. Fourteen bursary opportunities are listed across the approved study areas. |
| Energy Mobility Education Trust Scholarship 2027 | 30 October 2026 | For final-year undergraduate, Honours, Master’s and PhD students in selected science, technology and commerce fields at specified universities. |
| Glencore Coal SA Mining Engineering Bursary 2027 | 30 October 2026 | Mining Engineering funding for eligible first-year and current university students. Preference may be given to communities surrounding Glencore operations. |
| KZN EDTEA Engineering Bursary Programme 2027 | 30 October 2026 – 16:00 | Engineering funding for qualifying KwaZulu-Natal learners and undergraduate students. Initial applications must be posted or hand delivered — email is not accepted. |
| KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority Bursary 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Film, television, animation, digital media and tourism-related study at qualifying institutions in KwaZulu-Natal. |
| UCT Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program 2027 – Postgraduate | 31 October 2026 | Selected postgraduate diploma, Honours and coursework Master’s programmes at UCT. Academic admission and scholarship applications are separate processes. |
| Northern Cape Premier’s Bursary Programme 2027 | 31 October 2026 | For eligible unemployed Northern Cape residents aged 18–30 pursuing priority or scarce-skills qualifications. |
| Monocle Foundation Bursary 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Supports Black female South African students with limited funding who are in second year or higher at undergraduate or postgraduate level. |
| Garden Route District Municipality Financial Assistance 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Financial assistance for full-time study at SAQA-accredited tertiary or TVET institutions. Residence requirements apply. |
| Sibona Ilanga Trust Bursary Programme 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Community bursary for eligible South African students living within 50 km of the De Aar Solar Power plant. |
| Perdekraal East Wind Farm Bursaries 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Community-focused bursary aimed at applicants from Ceres, Bella Vista, Nduli, Prince Alfred Hamlet and surrounding communities. |
| Letsatsi Borutho Trust Bursary Programme 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Community bursary linked to the beneficiary area surrounding the Droogfontein Solar Power Plant. |
| Mulilo Bursary Programme 2027 | 31 October 2026 | For eligible residents of Emthanjeni, Renosterberg and Siyathemba municipalities in the Northern Cape. |
| SAAGA Bursary 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness and avocado-industry related studies. |
| Kristina Plattner Scholarship 2027 | 31 October 2026 | Postgraduate UCT Biological Sciences research involving fynbos biodiversity, ecosystem function or conservation. |
| Healthy Futures South Africa PhD Fellowship | 31 October 2026 – 23:59 SAST | UCT doctoral fellowship for research aligned with specified health priorities. Applicants must first apply for doctoral admission at UCT. |
| Spirit Education Foundation High School Scholarship 2028 | 31 October 2026 | Grade 8 entry scholarship for qualifying learners for the 2028 school year. |
Bursaries Closing in November 2026
| Bursary / Scholarship | Closing Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| ISACA Cybersecurity Month Scholarship 2027 | 3 November 2026 | International scholarship for students pursuing cybersecurity-related studies. Check the US Central Time deadline carefully. |
| ISACA Foundation Digital Trust Scholarship 2027 | 3 November 2026 | IT audit, cybersecurity, governance, risk, assurance and digital-trust fields. |
| Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Bursary Programme 2027 | 6 November 2026 | Built-environment and infrastructure-related studies for qualifying Limpopo residents. |
| Nigel & Judith Weiss Educational Trust Honours Support 2027 | 10 November 2026 | One-year support for eligible first-time Honours students in Science at UCT. |
| RAPCAN Legacy Doctoral Scholarship 2027 | 10 November 2026 | UCT doctoral funding for research contributing to child protection in South Africa. |
| Mercedes-Benz South Africa Bursary Programme 2027 | 12 November 2026 | Engineering, technology, science, finance, logistics and related qualifications. Includes potential vacation-work experience at Mercedes-Benz South Africa. |
| Free State Provincial Government Full-Time Bursary Programme 2027 | 13 November 2026 | Full-time Diploma or Degree funding for eligible unemployed Free State residents aged 18–35. |
| NSFAS Bursary Funding 2027 | 18 November 2026 | Funding for approved study at public universities and TVET colleges. Apply as early as possible. |
| Babette Taute Honours Scholarships 2027 | 20 November 2026 | Honours scholarships for English language, literature and applied language studies. Two academic referees are required. |
| DSTI-NRF Honours General Funding 2027 | 23 November 2026 | Honours-level postgraduate funding through NRF Connect. Your university may impose an earlier internal deadline. |
| ILASA Bursary 2027 | 27 November 2026 – midnight | Landscape Architecture studies at qualifying SACLAP-accredited institutions. Applications must be submitted online. |
| Academy of Digital Arts Distinguished Talent Scholarship 2027 | 30 November 2026 | Full-tuition talent scholarships linked to selected Graphic Design, UX/UI, Game Development and Concept Art programmes. |
| Stellenbosch University Funding Opportunities (SUFO) 2027 | 30 November 2026 | Undergraduate financial assistance for eligible prospective Stellenbosch University students. |
| UNISA Master’s and Doctoral Bursary 2027 | 30 November 2026 | Tuition and qualifying research support for eligible returning UNISA Master’s and doctoral students. |
| SIOC-CDT Bursary Programme 2027 | 30 November 2026 – 12:00 | Community bursary for applicants from specified Northern Cape and Limpopo beneficiary areas. |
| Rhodes University Andrew W. Mellon Creative Writing Bursary 2027–2028 | 30 November 2026 | Funding for South African citizens applying for full-time MA study in Creative Writing at Rhodes University. |
| Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme 2027 – returning bursars | 30 November 2026 | Returning bursars must reapply by this date. New applicants remain open until 31 January 2027. |
Bursaries Closing in December 2026
| Bursary / Scholarship | Closing Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Milpark Bursary Programme 2027 | 10 December 2026 | Financial-need and academic-suitability based funding for eligible Milpark students. Some qualifications are excluded. |
| PSG Bursary Programme 2027 | 20 December 2026 | Career-linked bursary for students entering their final undergraduate year or postgraduate study in approved science, engineering and commerce disciplines. |
| FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Postgraduate Bursary 2027 | 31 December 2026 – provisional | For a first full-time, one-year Honours qualification in approved STEM or Psychology fields. Because the deadline is provisional, applicants should submit early. |
| SANZAF SEED Bursary 2027 – Western Cape | 31 December 2026 | Partial assistance towards study fees for qualifying Western Cape applicants who meet SANZAF’s applicable financial-support criteria. |
Before You Apply
Have these documents ready where applicable:
- Certified South African ID
- Latest school results or full tertiary academic record
- Matric certificate
- University application, acceptance or registration evidence
- Proof of household income
- Proof of residence for community or provincial bursaries
- CV and motivation letter
- Research proposal and supervisor support for postgraduate applications
- Disability documentation where relevant
- Correctly certified documents within the sponsor’s required validity period
Always keep proof of submission, such as an application confirmation, sent email or hand-delivery receipt.
Find More Bursaries
New bursaries are added regularly.