🎓 Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Bursaries in South Africa

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🎓 Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Bursaries in South Africa: Securing a bursary can significantly alleviate the financial burden of tertiary education.Luckily, a wide range of bursaries for the 2025 academic year are now open and accepting applications.

These bursaries are offered by government departments, private companies, NGOs, and international foundations – all aimed at supporting ambitious, deserving students like you.

Whether you are finishing Matric in 2024 or already studying at a university or TVET college, there’s likely a bursary tailored for your field – be it Engineering, Accounting, Teaching, IT, Medicine, Law, Agriculture, or more.

🎓 Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Bursaries in South Africa – Bursary Benefits:

Most bursaries go beyond just covering tuition. Many offer full financial support including:

Registration and tuition fees
Accommodation and meals
Textbooks and stationery
Monthly allowances or stipends
Mentorship and internship opportunities
Job placement support after graduation

Some bursaries, like Funza Lushaka and Sasol, even include service contracts, giving you a guaranteed job after completing your studies.

🎓 Comprehensive Guide to 2025 Bursaries in South Africa – Available Bursary Opportunities:

Below is a curated list of bursaries currently open for applications, spanning various fields of study:

1. Sasol Mainstream Bursary Programme

Fields Covered: Engineering and Science degrees (B.Eng. / B.Sc.)

Eligibility: South African citizens with strong academic records in Mathematics and Science. Note: Technical Maths/Maths Literacy not accepted.

Benefits: Comprehensive coverage including tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and a stipend.

Application Period: 8 April – 18 May 2025

Apply Here: Sasol Bursaries

🧑‍🏫 2. Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme

Purpose: To promote teaching in public schools.

Eligibility: South African citizens accepted into BEd or PGCE programmes.

Benefits: Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and a monthly stipend.

Application Period: 10 October 2024 – 26 January 2025

Apply Here: Funza Lushaka

🏦 3. Nedbank External Bursary Programme

Fields Covered: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and more.

Eligibility: South African citizens pursuing full-time undergraduate studies in specified fields.

Benefits: Covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.

Apply Here: Nedbank Bursary Programme

🌍 4. Mandela Rhodes Scholarship

Purpose: Postgraduate study for African citizens.

Eligibility: African citizens under 30 years pursuing Honours or Master’s degrees at South African universities.

Benefits: Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, book allowance, general allowance, and travel expenses. Includes a leadership development programme.

Apply Here: Mandela Rhodes Foundation

🧬 5. African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) Scholarship

Purpose: Structured Master’s programme in Mathematical Sciences.

Eligibility: African students with a strong background in mathematics, physics, or engineering.

Benefits: Full scholarships covering tuition, accommodation, meals, travel, and a stipend.

Apply Here: AIMS South Africa

🏛️ 6. Motsepe Foundation Bursary

Fields Covered: Various fields including Engineering, Law, Agriculture, and more.

Eligibility: South African students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Benefits: Covers tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and a monthly stipend.

Application Deadline: 6 June 2025

Apply Here: Motsepe Foundation

7. Shoprite Bursary Programme

Fields Covered: Retail Business Management, Pharmacy, Supply Chain, and more.

Eligibility: South African citizens pursuing studies in specified fields.

Benefits: Covers tuition and provides a monthly stipend.

Application Deadline: 30 April 2025

Apply Here: Shoprite Bursaries

🧑‍⚕️ 8. South African Veterinary Foundation (SAVF) Bursary

Purpose: Support for veterinary science students.

Eligibility: Students enrolled in veterinary science degrees at South African universities.

Benefits: Financial assistance towards tuition and related expenses.

Apply Here: SAVF Bursary

Conclusion

Securing a bursary can be life-changing — it not only relieves the financial burden of tuition and study costs but also opens doors to mentorship, practical experience, and career opportunities.

With so many options available across various fields, there’s no reason not to apply. Be proactive, follow the application instructions carefully, and make sure your documents — especially your CV — are professionally prepared.