IDC Bursaries 2027 Now Open For Students In Scarce Skills Fields

Who can apply

• Applicants must meet the bursary eligibility rules before submitting.
• Are a South African citizen
• Are unemployed
• Are not older than 26 years
• Have financial need
• Are studying or planning to study full-time
• Are applying for a first undergraduate qualification
• Will study at a South African public university or university of technology
• Are applying for one of the approved fields of study
• The IDC bursary is intended for students whose studies match the official approved list.
• Therefore, applicants should not apply for qualifications that are not included.
• The IDC bursary will not fund every course.
• Applications will only be considered for the fields listed on the official IDC bursary page.
• Qualifications outside the approved fields
• Second qualifications
• Most postgraduate qualifications
• Private college studies
• Studies that do not meet the full-time requirement
• Studies that are not at a public university or university of technology
• Before applying, check your exact qualification name carefully.
• If your programme is not on the official IDC list, your application may not be considered.

How to apply

Applications are submitted directly to IDC - we do not collect applications. Read the eligibility criteria, prepare your supporting documents, then complete your application on the official page.

Full details

IDC Bursaries 2027 are now open for South African students who want to study in scarce and critical skills fields linked to the country’s economic growth. The Industrial Development Corporation is offering bursary support for eligible students in engineering, finance, technology, science, agriculture, law and related fields.

The bursary is aimed at unemployed South African citizens with financial need who are studying, or planning to study, full-time in approved qualifications.

For academically strong students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, this bursary can reduce the pressure of university costs and support a serious career pathway.

What Are IDC Bursaries 2027?

IDC Bursaries 2027 form part of the Industrial Development Corporation’s External Bursary Scheme for the 2027 academic year.

The programme supports students in fields that can contribute to South Africa’s industrial development, economic growth and future skills pipeline.

The bursary is open to eligible South African students who want to study full-time at a public university or university of technology.

Applications opened on 1 June 2026 and will close on 30 September 2026.

Why Is The IDC Bursary Programme Worth Considering?

University study costs can be difficult for many families.

Registration, tuition, accommodation, meals, transport and study materials can quickly become overwhelming.

The IDC bursary helps reduce that burden by covering major study-related expenses for successful applicants.

In addition, the bursary focuses on fields that support development, innovation, infrastructure, industry and the economy.

This makes it a strong opportunity for students who want funding and a qualification that can lead to meaningful work in high-demand sectors.

What Does The IDC Bursary Cover?

The IDC bursary provides support for selected education-related costs.

The bursary may cover:

• Full tuition fees
• University accommodation
• University-accredited off-campus accommodation
• Once-off laptop allocation
• Meal allowance
• Transport allowance

This funding package helps students focus on their studies instead of carrying the full financial pressure alone.

Which Finance And Management Fields Are Funded?

IDC supports several finance, commerce and management-related fields.

These include:

• Accounting, CA stream
• 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

These fields are important because they support business growth, investment decisions, financial control, logistics and economic development.

Which Engineering Fields Are Funded?

Engineering students can also apply if their field appears on the approved list.

Supported engineering fields include:

• Industrial Engineering
• Chemical Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Electronic Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Mechatronic Engineering
• Mining Engineering
• Metallurgy Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Construction Engineering
• Quantity Surveying

Engineering skills remain important for infrastructure, manufacturing, mining, energy, construction and industrial growth.

Therefore, students in these fields should take this bursary seriously if they meet the requirements.

Which Science And Technology Fields Are Funded?

The bursary also supports science and technology fields.

These include:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Physics
• Biotechnology
• Geology
• Environmental Science
• Bachelor of Science programmes
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Data Science
• Computer Science
• Information Science
• Information Technology
• BCom Information Systems
• Quantitative Risk Management
• Actuarial Science

These fields support digital transformation, research, analytics, environmental work, scientific development and technology-driven industries.

For students interested in data, science or technology, IDC Bursaries 2027 can support qualifications that are strongly linked to future skills.

Are Agriculture And Law Fields Included?

Yes. The IDC bursary also includes selected agriculture and law-related qualifications.

Agriculture-related fields include:

• Agricultural Studies
• Agriculture-related qualifications

Law-related fields include:

• BCom Law
• Commercial Law
• Bachelor of Laws, LLB
• Diploma in Law Studies

These fields support legal, commercial, agricultural and development-related work.

Applicants should make sure their exact qualification appears on the IDC-approved list before applying.

Are Postgraduate Studies Funded?

The IDC bursary mainly supports first undergraduate qualifications.

Second qualifications will not be funded.

Most postgraduate qualifications will also not be funded.

However, IDC may consider Honours-level funding in selected fields only.

These postgraduate exceptions include:

• Law qualifications
• Accounting, CA stream
• Actuarial Science
• Mathematics
• Statistics

IDC clearly states that funding for postgraduate qualifications will only apply to selected areas.

Who Can Apply For IDC Bursaries 2027?

Applicants must meet the bursary eligibility rules before submitting.

You should apply if you:

The IDC bursary is intended for students whose studies match the official approved list.

Therefore, applicants should not apply for qualifications that are not included.

What Academic Results Are Required?

Academic performance matters in this bursary.

For current Matric learners, IDC gives weighting to matriculants with a minimum of 75% APS.

Current tertiary students need at least a 65% average in their most recent results.

Students must also maintain a 60% GPA for the duration of study.

This means applicants should prepare strong academic documents before applying.

If your marks meet the requirement, make sure your latest results are clear and easy to read.

What Household Income Rules Apply?

The IDC bursary focuses strongly on financial need.

The programme is mainly for applicants whose parents or guardians earn a combined household income of up to R350 000 per year.

Applicants from households earning between R350 000 and R600 000 per year may still be considered.

However, IDC will conduct an affordability assessment as part of the selection process.

As a result, applicants should prepare accurate and complete income documents.

Who Will Receive Preference?

IDC applies preference criteria during selection.

Preference may go to:

• Applicants living with disabilities
• Learners from Quintile 1, 2 and 3 public schools
• Learners from rural areas
• Learners from previously disadvantaged communities
• Matric learners with strong APS results
• Tertiary students with strong academic averages
• Applicants who show financial need

This does not mean other eligible applicants should avoid applying.

However, it does mean that the bursary strongly supports students who face financial and educational barriers.

Which Qualifications Will Not Be Funded?

The IDC bursary will not fund every course.

Applications will only be considered for the fields listed on the official IDC bursary page.

The bursary will not fund:

Before applying, check your exact qualification name carefully.

If your programme is not on the official IDC list, your application may not be considered.

What Documents Must Applicants Prepare?

Applicants must upload clear copies of all required supporting documents.

All document certifications must not be older than 3 months.

You may need:

• Recently certified South African ID copy
• Recently certified proof of residence
• 2026 mid-year results or latest academic results
• Matric certificate, if already completed
• Grade 11 final results and June 2026 results for current Matric learners
• Parents’ or guardians’ certified ID copies
• Latest payslips, if parents or guardians are employed
• Three months’ bank statements, where applicable
• Affidavit if a parent or guardian is unemployed
• Six months’ bank statements for unemployed or self-employed parents, where applicable
• SASSA grant confirmation letter, where applicable
• Death certificate, if a parent is deceased
• Divorce certificate, if parents are divorced
• Sworn statement, if parents are separated

Incomplete documents can delay or weaken an application.

Therefore, applicants should prepare all documents before starting the online form.

How Can Applicants Apply?

Applications must be completed online through the official IDC bursary portal.

Applicants must complete the online application form, upload all mandatory supporting documents and complete the interview questionnaire.

Before submitting, check every detail carefully.

Make sure your ID number, contact details, qualification, institution and household income information are accurate.

Also, make sure your uploaded documents are clear and correctly labelled.

When Is The Closing Date?

The closing date for IDC Bursaries 2027 is 30 September 2026.

IDC confirms that applications opened on 1 June 2026 and will close on Wednesday, 30 September 2026.

Late applications will not be accepted.

Do not wait until the final day, especially if you still need certified copies, bank statements or income documents.

A strong bursary application needs time, accuracy and complete paperwork.

Who Can Applicants Contact For Enquiries?

For bursary-related enquiries, applicants may contact IDC directly.

Contact Person: Noluthando BaepiTel: 011 269 3374Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

Use these details only for bursary-related questions.

Before sending an enquiry, first read the official bursary page and application instructions carefully.

Why Should Students Take This Opportunity Seriously?

The IDC Bursaries 2027 support fields that are closely linked to South Africa’s growth and industrial development.

These include engineering, finance, economics, science, technology, agriculture, logistics, law and quantitative fields.

For students from financially disadvantaged households, this bursary can make full-time study more manageable.

In addition, IDC focuses on scarce skills, which means successful applicants may study in fields that are important for future employment and development.

Itumeleng’s Insider Tip: Before applying, check your qualification name against the IDC-funded fields list. Then prepare your certified ID, proof of residence, academic results and household income documents in one folder. A clean, complete application gives the bursary team fewer reasons to reject your submission.

Final Thoughts

IDC Bursaries 2027 are now open for South African students who want to study full-time in approved scarce and critical skills fields.

The bursary supports selected qualifications in finance, engineering, science, technology, agriculture, law, logistics and quantitative fields.

Successful applicants may receive support for tuition, accommodation, a laptop, meals and transport.

Finally, prepare your documents early, complete the online application form carefully and submit before 30 September 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

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