Bursaries Closing In March 2025-2026
In South Africa, the quest for higher education and skills development is a journey filled with opportunities, yet often hampered by financial constraints. Bursaries serve as a beacon of hope, offering financial assistance to students who are eager to pursue their academic dreams but are hindered by the lack of resources. As we step into the month of March, a critical period looms for aspirants looking to secure financial support for their studies.
This pivotal time marks the closing window for applications to a myriad of bursary programs designed to cater to a diverse range of fields and specialties. These bursaries, provided by various sectors including the government, private enterprises, and non-profit organizations, aim to foster talent, promote education, and ensure that financial barriers do not impede the intellectual growth of promising students. As deadlines approach, understanding the landscape of available bursaries and seizing these opportunities becomes paramount for students across the nation.
BEKA Schreder Bursary
The BEKA Schreder Bursary targets aspiring engineers and innovators, offering financial support for studies in electrical and mechanical engineering. This bursary aims to light up the path for future leaders in the energy-efficient lighting industry, covering tuition, books, and possibly accommodation.
Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship
Focused on empowering students from developing countries, the Wells Mountain Initiative Scholarship provides financial assistance for those pursuing tertiary education in various fields. It emphasizes community service, leadership, and the potential for societal impact, offering support for tuition, books, and other educational expenses. (Application closing date: 01 March 2025-2026)
FirstRand International Postgraduate Scholarships
Offering a golden opportunity for South African graduates to study abroad at an international university of their choice, this scholarship covers tuition, accommodation, and travel expenses. It’s designed for candidates who show exceptional academic performance and leadership qualities. (Application closing date: 02 March 2025-2026)
FirstRand Laurie Dippenaar Scholarship
This prestigious scholarship is aimed at postgraduate students who wish to pursue any field of study abroad. It is renowned for its comprehensive financial support, including tuition, living expenses, and travel, focusing on individuals with a strong academic background and leadership potential. (Application closing date: 02 March 2025-2026)
Exxaro Bursary
Targeted at students entering the mining industry, the Exxaro Bursary offers comprehensive financial support for studies in mining engineering, metallurgy, and geology, among others. It includes tuition, accommodation, books, and a laptop, preparing students for a successful career in mining. (Application closing date: 06 March 2025-2026)
Clyde & Co Law Students Bursaries
Clyde & Co provides financial aid to law students with a passion for commercial law. This bursary covers tuition fees and books, and offers mentorship and potential vacation work opportunities at one of the world’s leading law firms. (Application closing date: 10 March 2025-2026)
Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary
Supporting residents of Stellenbosch, this bursary aims to fund studies in fields critical to municipal services and development. It covers a wide range of programs, offering financial support for tuition, books, and sometimes accommodation. (Application closing date: 10 March 2025-2026)
Ek Brown Of Monaltrie Animal Sanctuary Trust Bursary
Dedicated to students pursuing veterinary science or related fields, this bursary supports animal lovers and future veterinarians, covering tuition fees and educational materials, promoting animal welfare and conservation. (Application closing date: 15 March 2025-2026)
Africa Cosmos Education Trust Bursary
This bursary focuses on students pursuing studies in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Space Science, offering financial support for tuition and research-related expenses. It aims to foster a new generation of scientists exploring the universe. (Application closing date: 17 March 2025-2026)
UKZN Archbishop Denis E. Hurley Scholarship
Offering support to students at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, this scholarship covers a wide range of fields, focusing on those committed to social justice and community service, providing tuition and academic materials. (Application closing date: 20 March 2025-2026)
UKZN Richard AD Turner Bursary
Dedicated to students in the Humanities, particularly those studying social sciences at UKZN, this bursary honors the legacy of Richard AD Turner, offering financial support for tuition and books to students committed to social change. (Application closing date: 20 March 2025-2026)
SANBI MSc Bursary
The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) offers this bursary to MSc students researching biodiversity, conservation, and environmental science, covering tuition and research expenses to foster environmental stewardship. (Application closing date: 22 March 2025-2026)
Compensation Fund Bursary
Aimed at students from households where a parent or guardian was injured or died in a work-related accident, this bursary covers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate studies, offering full tuition, accommodation, and books. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Fine Music Radio (FMR) Bursary
Supporting students in music and performing arts, the FMR Bursary offers financial aid for tuition and related expenses, aiming to nurture the talents of future musicians and performers. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Kwazulu-Natal Government Bursary
This bursary is aimed at residents of KZN, supporting studies in fields critical to regional development, such as agriculture, engineering, and health sciences, offering comprehensive financial support. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Implats Bursary
Implats offers bursaries for students entering the mining and metallurgy sectors, covering tuition, accommodation, and books, with a focus on sustainable mining practices and innovation. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
NWU Honours Bursary
North-West University provides this bursary to Honours students across various fields, aiming to support academic excellence and research initiatives, covering tuition and academic expenses. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
NWU Master’s and Doctoral Bursaries
For postgraduate students at NWU, these bursaries offer significant financial support for Masters and PhD studies, encouraging advanced research and academic achievement in all fields of study. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarships
OMT Scholarships support postgraduate students with exceptional academic records and leadership potential, covering a wide range of fields and offering comprehensive financial aid for studies both locally and internationally. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
OWLAG Scholarship
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls offers scholarships to its graduates pursuing tertiary education, covering tuition, books, and accommodation, emphasizing leadership and empowerment for young women. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
South African Nursery Association (SANA) Bursary
Aimed at students in horticulture and related fields, the SANA Bursary offers financial support for those passionate about plant cultivation, landscape design, and environmental sustainability. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Tastic Bursary Competition
This unique competition awards bursaries to students in culinary arts, nutrition, and food sciences, offering financial support for tuition and related expenses, fostering innovation in food and nutrition.
Tegkor/Nelson Mandela University Accounting Bursary
Targeted at accounting students at Nelson Mandela University, this bursary offers financial aid for tuition and books, aiming to support future accountants and financial professionals. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
UWC Financial Assistance
The University of the Western Cape offers financial assistance to underprivileged students across all fields of study, covering tuition and other academic expenses, promoting access to higher education. (Application closing date: 31 March 2025-2026)
Year-Round Bursaries
These bursaries, including the BBD Bursary and Beyond Programme, ClubX Magazine Bursary, Deloitte & Touche Bursary, Minds Scholarship Programme, Moore SAICA Trainee Bursary, and TTI Bursary, offer ongoing opportunities for financial support in various fields, from technology and engineering to accounting and beyond, ensuring students can apply at any time for the necessary financial aid to pursue their academic and professional dreams.
As March draws to a close, so too does the opportunity for students across South Africa to apply for crucial financial support through bursaries. The closing of these applications marks a significant milestone in the academic calendar, urging students to act swiftly and decisively.
For many, securing a bursary could be the deciding factor between the pursuit of higher education and the reluctance to dream due to financial barriers. It is imperative that students, educators, and guardians alike remain vigilant about these deadlines, ensuring that potential applicants are well-informed and prepared to submit their applications timely.
The end of March is not just a deadline but a gateway to educational advancement, empowerment, and the realization of academic aspirations for countless students. With each bursary awarded, South Africa moves a step closer to a future brimming with skilled professionals ready to contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
