FirstRand: Bursaries 2027

•  Apply before Sep 30, 2026 

Overview

The FirstRand Empowerment Foundation offers bursaries to first-year students in a variety of degree programmes at traditional public universities. The degree programmes funded are informed by the critical skills needs of the country, FirstRand and social investing focus areas.

The selection criteria are proven academic potential and belonging to a family with a combined gross annual income of not higher than R700 000. Current Grade 12 learners are invited to apply for this prestigious opportunity. Applicants who completed Grade 12 not more than 3 years ago will also be considered.

Degree Programmes Funded:

• Agricultural Sciences: All specialisations
• Commerce: Accounting, Actuarial Science, Economics, Financial Management
• Engineering: All specialisations
• Environmental Sciences: Climate Sciences, Renewable Energy
• Information Sciences: Business Information Systems, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Management, Information Technology
• Mathematical Sciences: Mathematics, Risk, Statistics
• Natural Sciences: Biosciences, Electronics, Physics
• Social Sciences and Law: Society and Sustainability, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Law
• Arts: Psychology, Digital Arts, Fine Arts, Multimedia, Architecture, Art and Design
• Health Sciences: Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Public Health, Pharmacy

NB. The bursary covers the first undergraduate degree. Where a postgraduate qualification (PGD or Honours degree) is essential to give access to employment opportunities, e. g. accounting and actuarial science, funding for a postgraduate qualification will be accommodated.

What the Bursary Covers:

• Tuition fees,
• Accommodation,
• Meals,
• Learning resources,
• A monthly stipend,
• Acomputer for first-year students

Selection Criteria:

• Only Black South African citizens, as defined by the BBBEE Act, will be considered
• Applicants must have obtained a minimum of level 5 for Mathematics in Grade 12
• Applicants must not be older than 21 years in their first year of study
• Applicants must have applied for and been provisionally admitted into a South African public traditional university for fulltime studies in the degrees stated above
• Only applicants who will start studying towards a first degree in 2027 who are currently in Grade 12 or who have completed Grade 12 not more than 3 years ago will be considered
• Only applicants from families with a combined gross annual income of up to R700,000 will be considered.
  
  

How to Apply

NB. If the link below appears blank once you click it, just tap the screen or scroll and the page will load.

Applications must be submitted online at: FirstRand Bursary Application 2026