To apply, click on the link at the end of the post and all the best with your applications

IDC Bursary Programme

The Industrial Development Corporation of SA Ltd (IDC) is engaged in various initiatives in human resource development, capacity building and human capital development to address acute skills deficits in the country, as well as, using it as a mechanism for the recruitment and development of professional employees. The provision of bursaries or study assistance for qualifying students is one of these initiatives

To be eligible for the scheme

Eligible Age

Student must be 16 years and older but not older than 26 years to apply.

Matric Students

Student must have achieved the total average of 75% and above and must be SA Citizen.

Tertiary Students

Student must have achieved the total average of 65% and above and must be SA Citizen.

Course we offer Bursary for?

Engineering

Engineering is a broad discipline that combines mathematics and science to identify and solve problems. It involves inventing, designing, building, maintaining and improving structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes. As such, engineering affects all aspects of our daily lives.

Business & Economics

Business economics is the study of the financial issues and challenges faced by corporations operating in a specified marketplace or economy.Business economics deals with issues such as business organization, management, expansion and strategy. Studies might include how and why corporations expand, the impact of entrepreneurs, the interactions between corporations, and the role of governments in regulation.

Agricutural Science

Agricultural science is a broad multidisciplinary field of biology that encompasses the parts of exact, natural, economic and social sciences that are used in the practice and understanding of agriculture.

Computer Science

Computer science is the study of the theory, experimentation, and engineering that form the basis for the design and use of computers. It is the scientific and practical approach to computation and its applications and the systematic study of the feasibility, structure, expression, and mechanization of the methodical procedures.

BURSARIES

The Industrial Development Corporation is inviting students to apply for the IDC External Bursary Scheme for the 2027 academic year. Applications have opened on Monday, 1 June 2026 and will close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

The IDC Bursary is open to unemployed eligible South African citizens with financial needs. Applicants should be studying or intend to study full-time with the below listed qualifications:

Bursary applications for 2027 are now open.

Finance/ Management Courses

• Accounting (CA)
• Financial Management
• Internal Audit
• Cost and Management Accounting
• Investment Management
• Risk Management
• Transport or Logistics Management
• Supply Chain Management
• Entrepreneurship
• Finance Studies
• Economics
• Econometrics
• Business Management
• Financial Accounting
• Financial Engineering

Stem Courses

• Industrial Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Analytical Chemistry
• Metallurgy Engineering
• Agricultural Studies
• Civil/Construction/Quantity Survey Engineering
• Geology
• Actuarial
• Data Science
• Environmental Science
• Quantitative Risk Management
• Physics
• Bachelor of Sciences
• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Studies
• Mathematics or Statistics
• Computer Science / Information Science
• BCom Information Systems
• Information Technology

Law Courses

• BCom Law (Commercial Law)
• Bachelor of Law (LLB)
• Diploma Law Studies

Post Graduate

• Post Grad in Law
• Mathematics or Statistics
• Actuarial Science
• Accounting CTA

NB: APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED FOR THE FIELDS OF STUDY LISTED ABOVE. ANY QUALIFICATION NOT ON THE LIST ABOVE WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

ELIGIBILITY

• The IDC External Bursary will be granted to applicants studying towards their first qualification and undergraduate studies only. Second, qualifications & post-graduate qualification will not be funded.
• Funding for postgraduate qualification (honours) will only be granted to applicants who are studying: Law Qualifications, Accounting (CA), Actuarial Science, Mathematics & Statistics
• South African citizens ONLY, who are not older than 26 years.
• Applicants who are studying or matriculated at Quintile 1,2 & 3 schools (public schools), schools from previously disadvantaged communities, and rural areas will be given first preference.
• The IDC External Bursary Program is for applicants whose parents earn a combined household income of up to R350 000,00 p/a.
• Eligible applicants whose parents earn a combined household income between R350 000,00 p/a and R600 000,00 p/a may be considered and are therefore invited to apply. An affordability assessment will be carried out as part of the selection criteria.
• A weighting system, with due consideration of the following aspects, will be applicable:
  • Applicants living with disability will be given first preference.
  • Matriculants with a minimum of 75% APS.
  • Applicants at a tertiary level with a minimum of 65% average of the most recent results. You must maintain a 60% GPA score for the duration of study.
  • Applicants must be admitted to study at a South African public university or university of technology.

REQUIREMENTS (compulsory documents for submission))

NOTE: ALL DOCUMENTS’ CERTIFICATION MUST NOT BE OLDER THAN 3 MONTHS

Disclaimer: The collected personal information will be used for the purpose of the external bursary application process, for reporting and filing purposes in line with section 18(1) of the POPI Act.

• South African recently certified ID document (not older than 3 months)
• 2026 mid-year (first semester) results or latest results if not studying this year.
• Matric certificate if completed Matric.
• 2026 Matriculants must use their grade 11 results and June 2026 results to apply
• Proof of parents’ or guardians’ household income:
  • Recently certified copy of latest pay slip(s) if employed.
  • Both parents 3 months bank statement if employed.
  • Affidavit if unemployed stating annual income.
  • 6 months’ bank statement if unemployed & self-employed.
  • SASSA Letter stating the grants received if applicable.
  • Parent(s) death certificates if parent(s) are deceased.
  • Both parents recently certified ID copies.
  • Divorce certificate if parents are divorced or sworn statement from the one parent if parents are separated.
  • Recently certified copy of proof of residence.

BURSARY BENEFITS

• The IDC bursary will provide cover for the following expenses:
  • Full tuition fees,
  • University Accommodation & University Accredited Off-Campus Accommodation
  • Laptop ( once-off)
  • Meal allowance
  • Transport allowance

Applications must be completed online, and applicants should submit clear copies of all mandatory supporting documents and complete the interview questionnaire.

NB: To apply for the IDC External Bursary, click here or visit the IDC Website: www.idc.co.za – select About IDC, then select Bursaries. Successful applicants will be notified via email.

Should you have any queries, please contact Noluthando Baepi on 011 269 3374 or email noluthandob@idc.co.za or ExternalBursaryQueries@idc.co.za

Click here to apply

We wish you all the best with your applications