South Africa’s top companies, including Old Mutual, Sasol, and Shoprite, are offering substantial bursaries for the 2027 academic year.
Tertiary education is considered essential for securing employment in South Africa, particularly because youth unemployment (ages 15 to 34) reached 4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Recent statistics indicate that employed youth accounted for 5.8 million individuals in the same period.
According to Stats SA, the youth unemployment rate increased by 0.1438 percentage points to 43.8% in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Conversely, the unemployment rate for graduates was 10.3% in Q4 2025, showing a slight improvement from 10.4% in Q3 2025.
While attending university does not guarantee a job, it certainly enhances one’s chances of employment.
However, the cost of university can be quite burdensome for South Africans. In 2025, BusinessTech analysed that first-year tuition fees started at approximately R50,000 per year.
In addition to tuition, students must also manage accommodation, food, and expensive equipment such as textbooks.
In response to these financial challenges, various companies throughout South Africa offer bursaries to assist students with their costs, which often exceed tuition fees.
These bursaries help alleviate financial burdens for recipients and can also lead to future employment opportunities.
Many companies that provide bursaries often offer jobs to recipients after they complete their studies, helping them get a foot in the door of the corporate world.
Additionally, some companies may provide mentoring throughout students’ studies to help them achieve their academic and professional aspirations.
With this in mind, BusinessTech has used Bursaries South Africa to identify available bursaries open for application from some of South Africa’s largest private companies.
Shoprite
Shoprite, South Africa’s largest retailer and private employer, opened its bursary program on February 1, 2026. Applications will close on May 31, 2026.
The company is offering full financial support to high-achieving students pursuing degrees in the following fields:
- Accounting (CA Stream – SAICA)
- Retail Business Management
- Supply Chain and Logistics
- Biological and Agricultural Sciences
The program provides a comprehensive financial package that covers tuition fees, on-campus accommodation, and a monthly grocery allowance.
Sasol
South African chemical giant Sasol is offering bursaries for various levels of study and disciplines for the 2027 academic year. The application deadline is May 17.
The group’s undergraduate university bursaries cover registration fees, tuition fees, books, pocket money, a meal allowance, accommodation expenses, and a one-time allowance for a computer and calculator.
Additionally, students will have access to development opportunities, including potential vacation work after completing their second and third years of study.
The following BEng / BSc Undergraduate studies at the university are eligible for the bursary:
- Chemical Engineering
- Chemistry (studies to Honours level is a criterion)
- Civil Engineering
- Data Science (Computer Science / Mathematics / Operations Research / Statistics)
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Geology (studies to Honours level is a criterion)
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Metallurgy (studies to Honours level is a criterion)
- Mining Engineering
The group’s undergraduate university of technology bursary covers tuition fees, registration fees, exam fees, books and pocket money, an accommodation allowance, and a meal allowance.
The students can complete their academic requirements (S1–S6) at a University of Technology and practical training aspects (P1 and P2 if applicable) at Sasol.
The following BEng Tech Undergraduate studies are eligible:
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Electrical Engineering (Heavy Current)
- Instrumentation and Control Engineering (Electrical Light Current)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mine Surveying
Finally, the group’s postgraduate bursary provides a monthly stipend for the duration of the studies and covers registration fees, tuition fees, research costs, accommodation, and all other expenses related to the studies.
Sasol noted that the bursary will not cover any other additional expenses. Postgraduate students with the bursary will also have access to Sasol technical mentors for support during studies.
The bursary covers the following MSc / MEng / PhD Postgraduate studies:
- Chemical Engineering (Fluid Dynamics/Mathematical and Statistical Modelling/Process Modelling/Reactor Technology/Separation Technology/Thermodynamics)
- Chemistry (Advanced analytical Chemistry in the areas of Vibrational Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography/Catalysis, Polymer Science/Environmental Science in the areas of Water, Waste or Air, or Air with focus on dispersion modelling)
- Cyber Security
- Data Science (Applied Mathematics/Statistics)
Old Mutual
Insurance company Old Mutual offers two bursaries: the Old Mutual Accounting Bursary and the Actuarial Bursary. Applications for both close on May 30.
The Old Mutual Accounting Bursary is available for students pursuing a degree in Chartered Accounting at any of the following institutions:
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of Johannesburg
- University of KwaZulu Natal
- University of South Africa
- University of the Free State
- University of the Western Cape
- University of the Witwatersrand
The Old Mutual bursary covers the following expenses: tuition fees, study materials, meals, accommodation in residence, and return flights home for students studying outside their hometown.
Recipients of the bursary will also have opportunities to participate in vacation work during their holiday breaks.
Support will be provided throughout their degree program, and students who maintain excellent academic performance will be eligible for additional incentives.
Upon graduation, bursary recipients are guaranteed employment with Old Mutual. They will receive comprehensive training in various areas of finance as outlined by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
This includes accounting and external reporting, management decision-making and control, financial management, risk management, governance, and taxation.
