Bursaries Closing In May 2026-2027

The bursaries below have deadlines in May. Some are highly specialised, like pharmacy, maritime studies and civil engineering, while others are broader and suited to students interested in leadership, postgraduate study or technical training. If you are applying to several, start with the earliest date first so you do not lose out while chasing month-end applications.

Closing Date	Bursary / Scholarship	Main Focus	Why It Matters
01 May	Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship	Overseas postgraduate study and research	A major international scholarship for students who want to study or conduct research in the United States while building global academic networks.
02 May	Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursaries	Pharmacy and healthcare	A strong option for pharmacy students who want to contribute to South Africa’s healthcare system and medicine access challenges.
05 May	Eastern Cape Provincial Treasury Bursary	Finance, economics and public sector skills	Designed for Eastern Cape students who want careers in fiscal management, budgeting, economics and government finance.
05 May	RBI Technical and Vocational Education and Training Bursary	Technical and vocational training	Useful for students pursuing practical, skills-based training routes linked to industry and employability.
05 May	TETA Scholarship at the World Maritime University (WMU)	Maritime studies and transport	A standout opportunity for students interested in maritime expertise, logistics and the broader transport economy.
06 May	Tharisa Bursary	Mining and engineering	Good for students building careers in the mining sector, especially technical and engineering disciplines.
16 May	Generation Google Scholarship: Women in Computer Science	Computer science and women in tech	A major opportunity for women pursuing computer science and related technology fields, with a strong focus on leadership and innovation.
23 May	Sasol South African Mainstream Bursary	STEM undergraduate study	One of the big-name South African bursaries for students heading into science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
24 May	Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships	Master’s study within the Commonwealth	A valuable route for students who want a two-year master’s opportunity in another Commonwealth country while expanding their international outlook.
30 May	Boston City Campus Bursary	Business, technology and creative programmes	A practical choice for students looking at a wide mix of career-oriented programmes in a private higher education setting.
31 May	Rumdel Cape Bursary	Civil engineering and infrastructure	Well suited to students interested in construction, infrastructure and engineering careers linked to development projects.
31 May	SADC Secondary School Essay Competition	Essay writing and secondary school achievement	Encourages critical thinking and writing among school learners in the SADC region, with bursaries awarded as prizes.
31 May	Western Australian Premier’s Scholarship	International educational exposure	Supports overseas learning opportunities and broader academic exposure for eligible applicants.

Best for STEM, health and technical students

The strongest fits in this group include the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa Bursaries, RBI TVET Bursary, TETA Scholarship at WMU, Tharisa Bursary, Generation Google Scholarship and Sasol South African Mainstream Bursary.

Best for leadership and international study

If you want a more global academic path, the Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship and Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth Scholarships stand out. These are the types of scholarships that can open doors well beyond tuition support, especially for postgraduate applicants with strong academic records.

Quick application checklist

✓Start with 01 May, 02 May and 05 May deadlines first before you even think about the later month-end applications.

✓Check whether the bursary is for undergraduate, postgraduate, school-level, provincial applicants or international study only.

✓Prepare your ID, latest academic results, proof of registration where needed, and any motivation letter or referee documents in advance.

✓Do not assume the summary tells you everything. Open the full bursary page and read the rules carefully before applying.

List Of Bursaries In South Africa That Open Year Around

These bursaries do not have a specific deadline on the current page, which means they can stay on your backup shortlist throughout the year. That is especially useful if you miss a strict May closing date or if you are still waiting for final documents or admission decisions.

BBD Bursary and Beyond Programme ClubX Magazine Bursary Deloitte & Touche Bursary Minds Scholarship Programme Moore SAICA Trainee Bursary TTI Bursary

Good to know

Year-round bursaries are not filler options. They can be useful safety nets if your May applications do not work out, and they also give you more room to apply carefully instead of rushing at the last minute.

Final takeaway

This May bursary list is strongest for students in pharmacy, finance, technical training, maritime studies, engineering, computer science and broader STEM. The smart play is to tackle the early deadlines first, focus on the applications that truly match your academic path, and keep the year-round bursaries in reserve as backup options.