IDC 2026 Bursary Applications: Funding for South Africa Finance, STEM & Law Students

IDC 2026 Bursary Applications: Funding for South Africa Finance, STEM & Law Students. The Industrial Development Corporation is inviting students to apply for the IDC External Bursary Scheme, for the 2026 academic year, Applications are open from the 1 st of June 2025 and the closing date for applications is the 30th of September 2025.

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

Fiance/Mnagement/Other 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/Constructio n/Quantity Survey Engineering
Geology
Actuarial or 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

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

Law Courses

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

Post Gradaute Course

Post Grad in Law
Mathematics or Statistics
Actuarial Science
Accounting CTA

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(s) will only be granted to applicants who are studying: Law Qualifications, Accounting (CA), Actuarial Science, M athematics & Statistics
• South African citizens, 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 S cheme 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 per annum and R600 000,00 per annum 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:

1. Applicants living with disability will be given first preference.
2. Matriculants with a minimum of 75% average of the most recent results.
3. Applicants at a tertiary level with a minimum of 65% average of the most recent results.
4. 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 (mandatory documents for submission)

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

1. South African recently certified ID document (not older than 3 months)
   2025 mid-year (first semester) results or latest results if not studying this year.
2. Matric certificate if completed Matric.
3. 2025 Matriculants must use their grade 11 results and June 2025 results to apply
4. Required documents to verify parents or guardians’ household income:

• Recently certified copy of latest pay slip 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.

APPLICATION FORM

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:  – 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 [email protected] or [email protected]