2 Graduate Opportunities Closing in September 2026: SAMRC and Sanlam

South African graduates still looking for workplace experience or an early-career opportunity have two programmes to consider before the September 2026 deadlines.

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is accepting applications for several Support Intern positions across areas including IT, Health and Safety, Health Sciences, Human Resources, Finance and Supply Chain Management.

Meanwhile, Sanlam is recruiting graduates for its Data, AI and Engineering Academy Accelerated Development Programme 2027, a 13-month development programme that offers permanent employment from the start.

Both opportunities are aimed at candidates with relevant tertiary qualifications, but the requirements, structure and benefits differ.

Quick Overview

Opportunity	Organisation	Qualification	Duration	Benefit	Closing Date
Support Internships 2026/2027	SAMRC	Diploma/Degree depending on position	Not specified	Workplace experience	3 September 2026
Data, AI and Engineering Academy 2027	Sanlam	Relevant BCom, BSc, BTech or BEng	13 months	Permanent employment + development	27 September 2026

1. SAMRC Support Internships 2026/2027

The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is offering Support Internship opportunities to suitably qualified unemployed South African graduates.

The internships cover several support functions, making the programme relevant to graduates from different academic backgrounds.

Available SAMRC Internships

The available positions include:

Support Intern: IT — Diploma or Degree in Information Technology or a similar field.
Support Intern: HSE — Diploma or Degree in Health and Safety or a similar field.
Support Intern: RCD — Three-year qualification in a Health Science discipline or similar relevant qualification.
Support Intern: HR — Three-year National Diploma or Degree in Human Resource Management or a similar qualification.
Support Intern: Finance — Three-year National Diploma or Degree in Accounting or a similar qualification.
Support Intern: SCM — BCom Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics or a similar relevant qualification.

Who Can Apply for the SAMRC Internships?

The programme is aimed at suitably qualified unemployed South African graduates.

Applicants should ensure that their qualification matches the requirements of the specific internship they are applying for.

Computer literacy and effective communication skills are also important requirements. Some positions may have additional advantages, such as exposure to Microsoft Excel or accounting software.

SAMRC Internship Duration and Stipend

The supplied opportunity information does not specify a programme duration or stipend amount.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that a particular monthly stipend applies. Any additional employment conditions should be confirmed on the relevant SAMRC recruitment page.

SAMRC Closing Date

Applications close on 3 September 2026.

Because this deadline is earlier than the Sanlam closing date, eligible graduates interested in SAMRC should prioritise their application.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online using the relevant SAMRC recruitment link for the position.

Candidates should select the internship that matches their qualification and carefully complete the information requested on the recruitment system.

2. Sanlam Accelerated Development Programme 2027

Sanlam is inviting soon-to-be and recent graduates to apply for its Data, AI and Engineering Academy Accelerated Development Programme 2027.

The programme is designed for graduates who want to develop careers in data, artificial intelligence, analytics, technology and engineering.

Unlike a conventional internship where employment conditions may vary, successful Sanlam candidates receive permanent employment from the start.

Programme Overview

Organisation: Sanlam
Programme: Data, AI and Engineering Academy
Programme type: Accelerated Graduate Development Programme
Duration: 13 months
Location: South Africa
Employment: Permanent employment from the start
Professional experience: Not required
Maximum related experience: No more than 12 months of post-university professional experience
Closing date: 27 September 2026

Qualifications Required

Applicants should have completed, or be completing by the end of 2026, a relevant BCom, BSc, BTech or BEng qualification.

Fields of study include:

Information Technology
Computer Science
Data Science
Data Analytics
Business Intelligence
Statistics
Mathematics
Finance
Actuarial Science
Industrial Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Mechanical Engineering

Who Can Apply for the Sanlam Programme?

Sanlam will consider applicants who already hold a relevant qualification or who will complete their degree by the end of 2026.

Previous professional work experience is not required.

However, applicants should have no more than 12 months of related post-university professional work experience.

Formal Work Integrated Learning completed as part of a qualification does not count as professional post-university experience for this requirement.

What Does Sanlam Offer?

The programme combines employment with structured development.

Successful candidates can receive:

Permanent employment from the start
Market-related benefits and rewards
Technical training
Professional development
Coaching and mentorship
Exposure to real business challenges
Opportunities to work with technology and analytics teams
Rotations across different business and technology areas
Exposure to modern data and technology solutions
Participation in innovation activities, technology events and hackathons

Sanlam Programme Duration

The Accelerated Development Programme runs for 13 months.

Importantly, the 13-month programme should not be confused with a fixed-term internship. Successful candidates are employed on a permanent basis from the beginning, with the programme providing structured development during that period.

Sanlam Closing Date

Applications close on 27 September 2026.

Graduates who will complete their relevant qualifications by the end of 2026 should consider applying before the deadline.

SAMRC vs Sanlam: Which Opportunity Is Right for You?

The two opportunities are aimed at different graduate profiles.

SAMRC may be more suitable if you:

Are an unemployed graduate seeking workplace experience.
Have a qualification in IT, Health and Safety, Health Sciences, HR, Accounting or Supply Chain.
Want to gain experience within a major medical research organisation.
Meet the specific qualification requirements for one of the Support Intern positions.

Sanlam may be more suitable if you:

Are completing or have completed a relevant BCom, BSc, BTech or BEng.
Want to pursue a career in data, AI, technology, analytics or engineering.
Have no more than 12 months of related post-university professional experience.
Want an opportunity that provides permanent employment from the start.
Are interested in structured graduate development and mentorship.

Important Before You Apply

Do not apply for an opportunity simply because the word “graduate” appears in the title.

First, check the specific qualification requirement for the position or programme.

For SAMRC, the qualification requirements differ between IT, HSE, RCD, HR, Finance and SCM.

For Sanlam, applicants should check that their qualification falls within the accepted fields and that they meet the experience criteria.

Also ensure that the information on your CV and online application agrees with your academic records.

Most importantly, submit your application before the relevant closing date.

Application Deadlines

There are two different deadlines to remember:

SAMRC Support Internships: 3 September 2026

Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy: 27 September 2026

The SAMRC deadline is significantly earlier, so eligible applicants should not wait until the Sanlam deadline before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are these the same type of opportunity?

No. SAMRC is offering Support Internship positions, while Sanlam is offering an accelerated graduate development programme with permanent employment from the start.

2. Can unemployed graduates apply?

Yes. The SAMRC opportunity specifically targets unemployed South African graduates. Sanlam is aimed at soon-to-be and recent graduates who meet its qualification and experience requirements.

3. Does Sanlam require previous work experience?

No previous professional experience is required. However, applicants should have no more than 12 months of related post-university professional experience.

4. What qualifications does Sanlam accept?

Relevant BCom, BSc, BTech and BEng qualifications are listed, with fields including IT, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Finance, Actuarial Science and several engineering disciplines.

5. What qualifications are required for SAMRC?

This depends on the position. IT requires an IT-related Diploma or Degree, while Finance requires an Accounting-related three-year qualification and SCM requires a BCom in Supply Chain, Logistics or a similar field.

6. What is the Sanlam programme duration?

The Sanlam Data, AI and Engineering Academy Accelerated Development Programme runs for 13 months.

7. Is a stipend amount available for these opportunities?

The supplied information does not provide a confirmed stipend amount for either opportunity. Sanlam states that successful candidates receive permanent employment with market-related benefits and rewards.

8. When do applications close?

SAMRC applications close on 3 September 2026, while Sanlam applications close on 27 September 2026.

Related Youth Opportunities

Youthscope readers can also explore opportunities in:

Youthscope Verification

Sources reviewed: SAMRC and Sanlam opportunity information supplied for this article.

Last checked: 30 August 2026

Status: Open at the time of checking. Applicants should verify availability on the official recruitment page before submitting an application.

Editorial Information

Author: Mbalizuke Nkosi
Reviewer: Youthscope Editorial Team
Published: 30 August 2026
Updated: 30 August 2026

Mbalizuke Nkosi

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.
Through informative and professionally curated content, YouthScope.co.za aims to equip young people with the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about their education and future careers.
For inquiries or support, please contact admin@youthscope.co.za.

SAMRC and Sanlam Graduate Opportunities Close in September 2026