IDC External Bursary Scheme for 2027

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) External Bursary Scheme supports unemployed South African citizens who need financial assistance to study full time at a South African public university or university of technology. The 2027 scheme is aimed primarily at first qualifications and undergraduate study, with limited honours funding for specified disciplines.

Approved fields include accounting, financial management, internal audit, cost and management accounting, investment management, risk management, transport and logistics management, supply chain management, entrepreneurship, finance, economics, econometrics, business management and financial accounting. STEM fields include industrial, chemical, electrical, electronic, mechanical, mechatronic and mining engineering, analytical chemistry, metallurgy, agricultural studies, geology, actuarial science, data science, environmental science, quantitative risk management, physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, information science, information systems and information technology. Law qualifications are also included. Honours support is restricted to specified areas such as law, accounting, actuarial science, mathematics and statistics.

Applicants must be South African citizens and no older than 26. The IDC publishes a household-income threshold of R350,000 per year, with some applicants up to R600,000 considered subject to an affordability assessment. Published academic guidance includes a minimum 75% APS for matriculants and a 65% average for tertiary applicants. The award can cover full tuition, university or approved off-campus accommodation, a once-off laptop, meal allowance and transport allowance.

The 2027 application period opened on 1 June 2026 and closed on 30 September 2026. Applications are submitted online with the required certified supporting documents and an interview questionnaire.