The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 is open for young South African students who need funding for first-year undergraduate study in 2027. The programme is administered through StudyTrust and supports selected study fields including agriculture, arts, commerce, computer science and IT, engineering, law, mathematics, psychology and science.
At a glance
Sponsor/host: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation, administered by StudyTrust
Opportunity type: Undergraduate bursary programme
Who it’s for: South African citizens applying for first-year university study in 2027
Study level: First-year undergraduate study
Approved fields: Agricultural Science, Arts, Commerce, Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Law, Mathematics, Psychology and Science
Applications open: 1 June 2026
Closing date: 30 September 2026
Last verified: 30 July 2026
High-value notes (read this first)
This bursary is aimed at first-year university entrants for 2027. Applicants must have provisional university acceptance for first year in 2027 and must be South African citizens who will not be older than 21 in 2027.
The programme is administered through StudyTrust. StudyTrust confirms that its 2027 bursary application season opened on 1 June and that most StudyTrust-administered bursaries close on 30 September.
About the sponsor
The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation supports education and empowerment initiatives linked to access, opportunity and skills development. The undergraduate bursary programme helps academically capable young people from financially constrained households access first-year university study in approved fields.
StudyTrust listing: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme
Current bursary advert: FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary 2027 advert
What it covers
The current public advert confirms the bursary opportunity and approved study fields but does not set out a detailed item-by-item funding package in the one-page notice. Applicants should confirm the final funded items and renewal conditions through StudyTrust if shortlisted.
Fields of study
- Agricultural Science
- Arts, including Multimedia, Fine Arts and Architecture
- Commerce
- Computer Science and Information Technology
- Engineering
- Law
- Mathematics
- Psychology
- Science
Eligibility
- Must be a South African citizen
- Must not be older than 21 years in 2027
- Must have provisional university acceptance for first-year study in 2027
- Combined gross annual family income must be up to R700,000
- Must have achieved at least Level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12
- Mathematical Literacy is not accepted for the Mathematics requirement
- Must apply through StudyTrust and submit all required supporting documents before the closing date
Documents to prepare
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Latest Grade 12 results and final Matric results when available
- Proof of provisional university acceptance for first year in 2027
- Proof of household income
- Any additional documents requested on the StudyTrust application platform
Closing date
30 September 2026.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Applying without provisional university acceptance for 2027 first-year study
- Applying if older than the stated age limit
- Using Mathematical Literacy instead of Mathematics
- Leaving out household-income documents
- Applying for a study field outside the approved list
- Waiting until the final week, when the StudyTrust platform may be busy
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against StudyTrust’s bursary index and the current FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Undergraduate Bursary Programme 2027 advert. These sources confirm the 1 June 2026 opening date, 30 September 2026 closing date, approved study fields, income threshold, Mathematics requirement, age requirement and first-year 2027 focus.
How to apply
- Open the StudyTrust FirstRand Empowerment Foundation bursary page.
- Read the StudyTrust bursary application instructions.
- Register or log in on the StudyTrust application platform.
- Upload your ID, academic results, provisional university acceptance and household-income documents.
- Submit before the closing date.