Bursary administered byFeenix

Bursary

Eligibility
criteria

Check the current eligibility requirements and prepare the required documents before opening the application.

Applications open28 September 2026

Provisional closing date: 31 December 2026.

Have these files ready.

Clear, correctly certified documents reduce delays. The application accepts PDF files only.

  • Certified South African ID copy, not older than six months
  • Certified Matric certificate
  • Complete undergraduate academic record
  • Provisional or final honours acceptance letter, if available
  • Applicant and household-member 13-digit ID numbers
  • If you are a student living with a disability, have your completed EEA1 form and recent medical letter or certificate ready as PDFs
  • PDF files no larger than 5 MB each

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must meet all eligibility criteria. Criteria cannot be appealed or reviewed case-by-case.

Identity

South African citizen

Applicants must be South African citizens and African, Coloured or Indian (ACI).

Age

18–35 years

Applicants must be aged 18–35 as at 31 December 2027. Applicants who will be 36 or older on that date do not qualify.

Mathematics

Mathematics at 60%+

Mathematical Literacy does not meet the programme’s current Mathematics requirement.

Undergraduate record

Average of 60%+

Your complete academic record must show a current or final average of at least 60%.

Qualification

First postgraduate degree

You must be applying for your first, full-time, one-year honours qualification.

Institution

Public university

Study must take place at an eligible South African public university.

Household income

R700,000 or below

The current combined annual household-income threshold is R700,000 and remains subject to verification.

Fields of study

The following fields are approved for 2027. Psychology is limited to BA Honours Arts (Psychology).

  • Actuarial Science
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • BA Honours Arts (Psychology)
  • Biosciences
  • Climate Sciences
  • Computer Science
  • Data Science
  • Electronics
  • Engineering
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems
  • Information Management
  • Information Science
  • Information Systems
  • Information Technology
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Renewable Energy
  • Risk
  • Sciences
  • Statistics

Apply for the postgraduate bursary

Open the application

FirstRand Empowerment Foundation Postgraduate Bursary · 2027 applicant journey

Feenix