The Monocle Foundation Bursary Programme is accepting applications for 2027 study. It supports Black female South African students with limited to no funding who are in their second year of study or higher. The University of Cape Town lists 31 October 2026 as the closing date.
Closing date: 31 October 2026
At a glance
- Sponsor/host: The Monocle Foundation
- Opportunity type: Bursary
- Who it’s for: Black female South African students with limited to no funding who are enrolled in their second year of study or higher, pursuing a degree or postgraduate degree. The sponsor says applicants should ideally not have an alternative bursary.
- Study level: Undergraduate and postgraduate; second year of study or higher
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Closing date: 31 October 2026
- Last verified: 2026-10-08
High-value notes (read this first)
The live application listing states that successful applicants will be chosen before mid-December 2026.
The application listing says beneficiaries are not required to repay or work back the funds, but must provide regular study-progress updates and final academic results.
The sponsor describes accepted courses as including, but not limited to, Accounting, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics and Medicine.
The sponsor describes the programme as supporting South African students; it does not state a university-residence restriction.
The sponsor does not publish a minimum marks requirement, reference number or upload limit.
About the sponsor
The Monocle Foundation is a philanthropic educational trust established in 2014. Its bursary programme supports previously disadvantaged Black female students pursuing tertiary study.
Official source: Monocle Foundation, Monocle Solutions
What it covers
Tuition fees, accommodation fees, a laptop, book and study material allowance, subsistence allowance, career counselling and a free MS Office course. The official page does not specify amounts or limits.
Eligible fields
- Accounting
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Engineering
- Finance
- Mathematics
- Medicine
Eligibility
- Black female students with limited to no funding.
- South African students in their second year of study or higher.
- The live application listing says the ideal candidate will not have an alternative bursary.
- Applicants must be pursuing a degree or postgraduate degree; accepted fields include, but are not limited to, those listed by the sponsor.
Documents to prepare
- Letter addressed to the Trustees of The Monocle Foundation Trust, including applicant background, field of study, career ambitions and motivation for the bursary
- Latest CV
- Certified copy of South African ID
- Up-to-date academic record stamped by the university
- Copy of graduate degree, for graduates
- Copy of Grade 12 academic certificate
- Breakdown of funds required for 2027, including tuition fees, study support and books, accommodation, and subsistence allowance
Closing date
31 October 2026
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not apply as a first-year student; the stated requirement is to be in the second year of study or higher.
- Do not omit the requested documents. The sponsor states that the application letter, latest CV, certified South African ID, stamped academic record, Grade 12 certificate, and breakdown of funds required are required; graduates must also include a copy of their graduate degree.
- Address the letter to the Trustees of The Monocle Foundation Trust and include your background, field of study, career ambitions and motivation.
- Do not treat the listed fields as exhaustive; the sponsor says accepted courses include, but are not limited to, those listed.
How this opportunity was verified
Verified against Monocle Solutions’ official Monocle Foundation page, its linked live application listing and University of Cape Town funding notices on 8 October 2026.
How to apply
- Open the official Monocle Foundation bursary page and select Apply Now to reach the 2027 application listing.
- Prepare a letter addressed to the Trustees of The Monocle Foundation Trust, covering your background, field of study, career ambitions and motivation for the bursary.
- Prepare the other listed documents: latest CV, certified copy of South African ID, up-to-date university-stamped academic record, Grade 12 academic certificate, and a breakdown of funds required for 2027. Include a copy of your graduate degree if applicable.
- Submit the application through the official linked 2027 Monocle Bursary Programme application page before 31 October 2026.
- If shortlisted, take part in the sponsor’s stated screening and interview process.