IDC Bursary

Who can apply

• You must be a South African citizen
• You must be unemployed
• You must NOT be older than 26 years old
• You must be currently be in Matric or have completed Matric
• You must be studying or intend on studying full-time towards a first undergraduate qualification, in one of the fields listed above (the bursary will NOT fund second qualifications)
• Postgraduate funding will only be awarded to Law Qualifications, Accounting (CA), Actuarial Science, Mathematics & Statistics (the bursary will NOT fund postgraduate qualifications in other fields)
• You must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised public University, University of Technology South Africa (the bursary will NOT fund studies at private colleges)
• Matric students: you must have achieved a minimum of 75% Admission Point Score (APS)
• Tertiary students: you must have achieved a minimum of 65% APS
• You must have combined household income of NOT more than R350 000 per annum, however students with a combined household income of between R350 000 per annum and R600 000 per annum may also be considered
• You must have an excellent academic performance
• You must be in financial need
• Preference will be given to students living with a disability
• Preference will be given to students who are studying or matriculated from Quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools (public schools), schools from previously disadvantaged communities, and from rural areas

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

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary South Africa 2027

WHAT FIELDS OF STUDY DOES THE IDC BURSARY COVER?

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2027 academic year.

Bursaries will be awarded for studies within the following fields:

Finance and Management Studies:

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

STEM Studies (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics):

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

Law Studies:

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

Postgraduate Studies (Honours):

• Accounting CTA
• Actuarial Science
• Law
• Mathematics or Statistics

WHAT EXPENSES DOES THE IDC BURSARY COVER?

The bursary will provide cover for the following expenses: full tuition fees, accommodation (at university or university accredited off-campus accommodation), meal allowance, transport allowance and a once-off laptop.

Students must be in financial need, as an affordability assessment will be conducted as part of the selection process.

WHAT ARE THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE IDC BURSARY?

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR THE IDC BURSARY?

Applications must be submitted online at: IDC Bursary Application 2027

Applicants will be required to register an account before they can login and apply (scroll down to the bottom of the page).

Enter “www.zabursaries.co.za” in the field asking how you heard about the IDC Bursary.

WHAT DOCUMENTS MUST I SUBMIT FOR THE IDC BURSARY?

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your online application (the submission of these documents is compulsory - if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy - not older than 3 months)
• Grade 11 final results and Matric June results, if currently in Matric (certified copies)
• Matric certificate, if completed Matric (certified copy)
• Latest academic results, if not studying this year (certified copy)
• 2026 mid-year (first semester) results, if currently studying (certified copy)
• Proof of acceptance or provisional admission at a tertiary institution (on institutions letterhead)
• Parents or guardians ID documents (certified copies - not older than 6 months)
• Unabridged birth certificate, if surname of the applicant & the parent(s) is different (certified copy)
• Parents or guardians proof of income (latest payslips if employed/ affidavit and 6 months Bank Statements if unemployed/ 3 months’ bank statement if self-employed/ SASSA Letter stating the grants received if applicable/ death certificate if deceased/ divorce certificate if divorced/ sworn statement if separated) (certified copies)

WHEN IS THE CLOSING DATE FOR THE IDC BURSARY?

30 September 2026.

(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted - please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)

HOW CAN I CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER?

For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) directly:Email: [email protected]: 011 269 3374

WHAT DOES THE IDC DO?

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), established in 1940, is owned by the government of South Africa and is under the supervision of the Economic Development Department. The IDC is a national development finance institution, which provides youth enterprises, who are undertaking industrial development projects, with financial and non-financial support.

The institution was created with the aim of promoting economic growth and industrial development, as well as to contribute to sustainable job creation within the country, as well as across the rest of Africa.

The IDC provide financial assistance to entrepreneurs starting new enterprises, as well as companies wishing to extend their current operations, to a maximum of R1 billion.

- END -

Frequently asked questions

Sources

This page summarises information published by: