South African students seeking financial support for the 2027 academic year have several bursary opportunities with deadlines falling between 17 and 23 August 2026.
The opportunities highlighted in this roundup are offered by the City of Cape Town, Wilmar SA, South African National Parks (SANParks), and the Sasol Foundation. Closing dates are close, so eligible students should review the requirements and submit complete applications as early as possible.
The four deadlines are 17 August, 19 August, 21 August and 23 August 2026.
Bursary Closing Dates at a Glance
| Bursary | Closing Date | Location |
|---|---|---|
| City of Cape Town Bursaries 2027 | 17 August 2026 | Cape Town |
| Wilmar Bursaries 2027 | 19 August 2026 | South Africa |
| SANParks External Bursaries 2027 | 21 August 2026 | South Africa |
| Sasol Foundation Bursaries 2027 | 23 August 2026 | South Africa |
1. City of Cape Town Bursaries 2027
The City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027 is aimed at qualifying students who meet the City’s eligibility requirements and are pursuing studies in identified priority or scarce-skills areas.
The City has confirmed that its bursary applications close on 17 August 2026, making this the most urgent opportunity in this roundup.
Employer / Provider
- Organisation: City of Cape Town
- Programme: City of Cape Town Bursaries 2027
- Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
- Academic year: 2027
- Programme duration: Not specified
- Employment type: Bursary
- Closing Date: 17 August 2026
Requirements
Applicants should confirm the latest official requirements before submitting. Available programme information indicates that applicants must meet the City’s residency, academic and qualification requirements.
- South African citizenship/residency requirements as specified by the City
- Must meet the applicable academic requirements
- Must be studying or intending to study an eligible qualification
- Must meet the City’s stated field-of-study requirements
- Additional supporting documentation may be required
Salary / Stipend
Salary/Stipend: Not applicable.
This is an education funding opportunity rather than employment. Funding benefits should be confirmed against the official 2027 bursary information.
Documents Needed
Applicants should prepare the documents requested in the official application, which may include:
- Updated CV, if requested
- Certified ID copy
- Latest academic results
- Proof of registration or admission, where applicable
- Proof of residence, where required
- Other supporting documents requested by the City
How to Apply
- Visit the City of Cape Town’s official website.
- Select the City bursary application service.
- Review the eligibility requirements.
- Complete the application accurately.
- Upload the required supporting documents.
- Submit the application before 17 August 2026.
Official Application Link: City of Cape Town – City Connect
2. Wilmar Bursaries 2027
The Wilmar SA Bursary Programme 2027 supports qualifying South African students entering their final undergraduate year in 2027.
The programme covers fields including Accounting, Agro-economics, Econometrics, Engineering, Finance, Human Resources Management, International Trade, Operations Management, Production Management, Marketing or sales-related qualifications, and Supply Chain. Available programme information states that the bursary can cover tuition, accommodation, books and a living allowance.
Employer / Provider
- Organisation: Wilmar SA
- Programme: Wilmar Bursary Programme 2027
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Programme duration: Final undergraduate year
- Employment type: Bursary
- Closing Date: 19 August 2026
Requirements
Available programme information indicates that applicants should:
- Be South African citizens
- Be from a historically disadvantaged and/or underprivileged background, where applicable
- Be entering the final year of an undergraduate degree in 2027
- Study at an accredited institution
- Be pursuing an eligible field of study
- Have achieved at least a 70% overall average, according to published programme information
- Meet the bursary’s financial and academic criteria
Salary / Stipend
Salary/Stipend: Not applicable.
The bursary provides financial assistance rather than a monthly employment stipend. Published information indicates support may include tuition fees, accommodation, books and a living allowance.
Documents Needed
Prepare the documents requested by the application portal, which may include:
- Certified ID copy
- Latest academic results/transcript
- Proof of registration or admission
- Proof of household income/financial circumstances
- Proof of residence, where required
- Other supporting documents requested during the application
How to Apply
- Access the official Wilmar bursary application portal.
- Review the eligibility criteria.
- Complete the online application.
- Upload all required supporting documents.
- Check your information carefully.
- Submit before 19 August 2026.
Official Application Link: Use the official Wilmar bursary application portal specified for the 2027 intake.
3. SANParks External Bursaries 2027
The South African National Parks External Bursary Programme is accepting applications for its 2027 intake.
SANParks’ official vacancies page lists the South African National Parks External Bursary Programme: Call for 2027 Intake with a closing date of 21 August 2026. The opportunity is particularly relevant to qualifying youth from communities neighbouring national parks.
Employer / Provider
- Organisation: South African National Parks (SANParks)
- Programme: External Bursary Programme – 2027 Intake
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Programme duration: Not specified
- Employment type: Bursary
- Closing Date: 21 August 2026
Requirements
Applicants should carefully check the official bursary announcement for the complete criteria.
- South African youth who meet the programme’s eligibility criteria
- Preference/eligibility may relate to communities neighbouring national parks
- Must meet the academic requirements
- Must be pursuing an eligible qualification
- Must provide the supporting documents requested by SANParks
Salary / Stipend
Salary/Stipend: Not applicable.
This is a bursary programme. The exact categories of educational costs covered should be confirmed in the official 2027 bursary announcement.
Documents Needed
Applicants should prepare:
- Certified ID copy
- Latest academic results
- Proof of registration/admission, where applicable
- Proof of residence
- Proof of community/residential eligibility, where required
- Other documents specified by SANParks
How to Apply
- Visit the official SANParks website.
- Locate the External Bursary Programme: Call for 2027 Intake.
- Read the full requirements.
- Complete the prescribed application.
- Attach the required supporting documents.
- Submit before 21 August 2026.
Official Application Link: SANParks official website
4. Sasol Foundation Bursaries 2027
The Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme supports qualifying South African students pursuing full-time undergraduate studies, particularly in STEM-related fields.
The Sasol Foundation’s published information describes comprehensive support for qualifying students and highlights areas such as Engineering, Information Technology, Data Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, and Construction & Manufacturing. The programme information also states that applicants must meet citizenship, academic, financial and age requirements.
Employer / Provider
- Organisation: Sasol Foundation
- Programme: Sasol Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
- Location: South Africa
- Academic year: 2027
- Programme duration: Not specified
- Employment type: Bursary
- Closing Date: 23 August 2026 as stated in the supplied opportunity information
Requirements
The Sasol Foundation’s published programme information states that applicants should:
- Be South African citizens by birth
- Be pursuing or intending to pursue a first undergraduate degree
- Study full-time at an approved public South African university or university of technology
- Meet the required academic criteria
- Meet the household-income requirements
- Be no older than 25 years at the time of application
- Meet the programme’s specific STEM or non-STEM eligibility criteria
The Sasol Foundation states that non-STEM bursaries are restricted to qualifying applicants connected to Sasol’s fence-line communities, Sasol employees or relevant shareholder communities.
Salary / Stipend
Salary/Stipend: Not applicable.
This is a bursary providing educational funding and support rather than employment income.
Documents Needed
Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the official application system, including relevant:
- Certified ID documentation
- Academic results
- Proof of registration/admission
- Household-income information
- Proof of residence/community eligibility where applicable
- Other documents required by the Sasol Foundation
How to Apply
- Visit the official Sasol Foundation bursary website.
- Review the 2027 eligibility criteria.
- Confirm that your qualification is eligible.
- Complete the application process.
- Upload the required documents.
- Submit before the applicable closing date.
Official Application Link: Sasol Bursaries official website
Which Bursary Closes First?
The City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027 has the earliest deadline, with applications closing on 17 August 2026.
The remaining deadlines are:
- City of Cape Town: 17 August 2026
- Wilmar SA: 19 August 2026
- SANParks: 21 August 2026
- Sasol Foundation: 23 August 2026
Students should prioritise applications according to the closing date and avoid waiting until the final day.
Important Application Advice
Before submitting any bursary application:
- Read the complete eligibility criteria.
- Confirm that your qualification is funded.
- Check the required academic average.
- Prepare certified documents where required.
- Make sure your personal information is accurate.
- Check that uploaded documents are clear and readable.
- Keep copies of your completed application.
- Submit before the official closing date.
- Apply only through the official organisation’s application channel.
A bursary application does not guarantee funding. Each organisation has its own assessment and selection process.
Expert Guidance
Career expert YouthScope Editorial Team advises applicants to prepare all required documents before applying. Ensure your CV is updated, your qualifications are certified where required, and submit your application well before the closing date to avoid technical issues. Always apply only through the employer’s official recruitment website and keep a copy of your confirmation for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which bursary closes first?
The City of Cape Town Bursary Programme 2027 closes first, on 17 August 2026.
2. What are the four bursary closing dates?
The deadlines are 17 August for City of Cape Town, 19 August for Wilmar, 21 August for SANParks, and 23 August for Sasol Foundation, based on the opportunity information reviewed for this article. SANParks independently lists 21 August 2026 on its official website.
3. Can students with no work experience apply?
Yes. These are education funding opportunities rather than employment programmes. Applicants must instead satisfy the relevant academic, citizenship, financial and qualification requirements.
4. Are these bursaries paid monthly?
They are bursaries rather than jobs. Funding generally takes the form of educational support. For example, published Wilmar information indicates assistance with tuition, accommodation, books and a living allowance.
5. Where are these bursaries available?
The opportunities are in South Africa. The City of Cape Town bursary is specifically linked to Cape Town, while Wilmar and SANParks opportunities have broader South African eligibility subject to their individual requirements.
6. What documents should I prepare?
Depending on the bursary, applicants may need an ID copy, academic results, proof of registration or admission, proof of residence, household-income information and other supporting documents.
7. Can I apply for more than one bursary?
Yes, provided you meet the eligibility requirements of each programme and submit separate applications before their respective deadlines.
8. What should I do if I miss the closing date?
If the application has officially closed, do not submit through unofficial channels. Instead, look for the next intake or other bursaries with later deadlines.
Disclaimer
YouthScope shares employment, internship, bursary and learnership opportunities from official employers and organisations to help South Africans access career and education opportunities. We are not the recruiting or funding organisation and do not charge any application fees. Always verify information on the organisation’s official website before submitting your application.
Opportunity Verification
Published by: YouthScope Editorial Team
Last Updated: 17 August 2026
Information Source: Official organisation announcements and programme information
Status: Reviewed for accuracy
YouthScope shares career and education information to help South Africans discover opportunities. Applicants should confirm final details, eligibility requirements and closing dates with the official organisation before applying.
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Mbalizuke Nkosi is the editorial voice behind YouthScope.co.za, a South African youth-focused platform dedicated to providing reliable information on opportunities, education, and career development. The platform serves students, graduates, job seekers, and young professionals by delivering accurate, timely, and easy-to-understand content.
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